Look what Santa brought me!
In this day and age when you seem to know or find out every Christmas gift you’re getting before you get it, it’s a rare occurrence when the wrapping paper reveals a surprise.
Imagine my delight when I opened this totally unexpected gift on Christmas morning – 1001 Foods To Die For!
1001 Foods to Die For is “…a handbook of exquisite dishes, rare ingredients, sumptuous feasts, authentic home cooking and the finest recipes that world cuisine has to offer. In short, this is a list of the most sensational flavors to be experienced in a lifetime…”
Basically, this is a really cool book filled with recipes, food factoids and history behind the world’s favorite dishes. And what would you know – there’s a whole page dedicated to the subject of tonight’s dinner: Chicken Caesar Salad! Per my book:
- The salad is said to be the invention of Caesar Cardini, an Italian restaurateur living in San Diego
- Created sometime in 1920, the original salad contained romaine lettuce, croutons, garlic, parmesan, coddled eggs, olive oil, lemon juice and Worcestershire sauce
- The big lettuce leafs are meant to be left whole and eaten with the fingers
- There should be just enough garlic to keep the vampires at bay (really, it says that!)
I think I did Caesar proud with tonight’s interpretation!
I started by making some Roasted Brussels Sprouts. True, they’re not called for in the original recipe, but I’ll throw RBS into anything!
I drizzled my cleaned up Brussels sprouts with olive oil, garlic powder, S&P.
Mix gently to coat,
and spread on a foil and non-stick spray lined cookie sheet.
Pop in the oven for 25-30 minutes at 425 degrees, flipping half way through, and you’re good!
I carried the Worcestershire sauce flavor in the dressing, into the chicken that was to sit atop my salad. All I did was cook some lean, chicken tenders in about 1/2 cup of the sauce until they were cooked all the way through.
I took some help for the actual salad and used a Dole Light Caesar Salad Kit. Mr. Cardini probably wouldn’t be pleased with the decision to use pre-made dressing and croutons, but I trump Mr. Cardini.
Plate some dressed greens on a plate and top with sautéed chicken, roasted Brussels sprouts and garlic croutons. Easy, savory and light!
And seriously yum! A bite with all four ingredients together was just Heaven! That chicken cooked in Worcestershire sauce was amazing too. It’s like seasoning in a bottle, so it’s literally all you need for the chicken.
Oh yes, while I was cooking I snacked on some Skittles.
Look at this bag! That’s an extra large jar of peanut butter being dwarfed by it. 
I might have Ben, who got the bag for Christmas, take it to work with him tomorrow. I operate best on out of sight, out of mind!
Okie dokie smokie – it’s time to announce the winner of the Vitalicious SuperSampler Pack Giveaway! Congrats to…
Kate: For the Love of Breakfast
Who blogged about the giveaway! Congratulations Kate! Email me @ iowagirleats@hotmail.com with your full mailing address.
Also, a big THANK YOU goes out to all of you who participated in the Month of Holiday Giveaways. It is truly more fun to give than to receive, and it was my pleasure to run these giveaways!
In other news, The Real World: Washington DC starts tonight! I am a huge sucker for the RW. How about you? What was your favorite season?
I loved San Diego. Carmen cracked me up!!
That book looks awesome!! I love caesar salad – it’s my favorite salad!!
Brussel sprouts on a ceasar salad sounds like a great addition!
That salad is a stunnah. And you’re SO right, roasted brussels are a great addition to anything! Cept maybe dessert…
Omg I didn’t know the real world was on tonight?? I like all of the seasons (and the spin off shows). Your salad looks gourmet!
I have been talking about the new Real World for weeks now. I’m way too excited.
I liked Las Vegas a lot.
I LOVE this book! Why have I never heard of it? Okay, its going on my MUST READ list!
That dinner looks awesome. I have been craving an amazing salad after I saw Giada’s Grilled Vegetable Chopped Salad yesterday on Foodnetwork, but now I think I may go the caesar route instead. Looks amazing!!!
I have totally tivo’d the whole season already. I am so excited for the DC series. It has been a LONG time since I’ve watched Real World.
Brussel Sprouts on a caesar salad? Holy yum!
I love, love, love those salad kits! They are kinda pricy but they make a great quick and easy meal!
Can you believe I still have not tried brussel sprouts? I think I need to try them after reading about them so much on your blog!
Oh my God, San Diego was THE FUNNIEST!! They all took turns getting arrested and going to jail, and that red head was scared sh*tless of ships. lol, they were hilarious. I liked Hawaii too, Colin was a fox. And Boston of course, my hometown.
I love skittles too…I hope you eat them the proper way…sucking them and mashing them into a blob in your mouth (twss??).
[...] I just discovered that I won the Vita Tops give away on Kristin’s blog. I can’t believe it. I managed to go the first 27 years of my life without winning [...]
That looks like a great book. I love random facts about anything!
My favorite Real World cast was probably in San Fransico. I love watching Judd and Pam and now that they are married makes me so happy.
That salad looks delicious! I especially love the roasted brussels sprouts on top.
I adore your brussel sprouts – they look wonderful.
http://katiechangesforkatie.blogspot.com
ahh! i haven’t had skittles in FOREVER. for some reason it reminds me how much i want to have some jelly beans
that ceaser salad looks amazing! so i’ll put my order in now? haha
yum – roasted brussel sprouts!
i liked real world paris; i swear i see mallory in j crew catalogues every now and then …
What a yummy looking salad – I may have to try roasting some brussel sprouts…I’ve always been a little afraid of them! I am definitely partial to the Denver season of RW, that cast was such a hoot and it was fun to go out at night and wonder if we’d run into the cameras
I also liked the last season in NY – Chet cracked me up!
what a great and creative looking salad. Loved the facts too about it. I had no idea! Have a good night!
I loved RW Seattle. David and Nathan were adorable and who could forget when Irene got slapped?
Chicken Caesar is my favorite! Yours looks scrumptious… I really need to try the roasted brussel sprouts though since you say they are so good.
Never watched Real World though… They did come to Utah for casting once though!
“what a great and creative looking salad. Loved the facts too about it. I had no idea! Have a good night!”