It’s on the menu of many , many restaurants.  It’s one of those dishes that shines in its simplicity.

What is the origin of Caesar salad, and is it true that the classic version includes anchovies?

Definition of Caesar salad: a salad of romaine lettuce tossed with an olive oil dressing, a coddled or raw egg, garlic, and grated cheese, and topped with croutons and sometimes anchovies

I remember hearing somewhere years ago that a “true” Caesar salad contains anchovies, which seemed so strange to me. (Confession: I’ve never actually tried anchovies, although I do use anchovy paste in my Caesar salad dressing recipe.)

However, the definition of the salad indicates otherwise, stating that anchovies are “sometimes included.” There is no mention of chicken in the definition, interestingly.

Indeed, anchovies are absent from the dictionary interpretation, and they are missing from the first, original Caesar salad as well.

Caesar salad was invented by a man named Caesar Cardini in 1924. Cardini, an Italian immigrant, owned a restaurant called Caesar’s Palace in Tijuana, Mexico.

Although I’ve come across a few different versions of the story, the consistencies state the following: One day at the establishment Cardini had more customers than normal. Consequently, he was pressed to come up with a dish with the resources currently on hand.

The ingredients Cardini put together were Romaine lettuce, garlic, croutons, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, eggs, and Worcestershire sauce. No anchovies, and no chicken either. Also, the Romaine lettuce was served in whole leaves – intended to be eaten with fingers – and wasn’t changed to bite-sized pieces until later on.

Some maintain that Cardini was strictly against the addition of anchovies in his salad creation; anchovies began being included about 10 years after the invention of the Caesar salad itself.

Even today, the anchovies still remain a source of debate. For instance, Bon Appetite, a reputable food site, uses them, but Martha Stewart does not.

Me, I like it with chicken.