27 Comments
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Chris Grace's avatar

My librarian name is Anne Listburger 😂. I love Caesar salad but never make it at home because I don't want to think about anchovies being part of the deal. Restaurant-made ignorance is bliss!

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Melissa Joulwan's avatar

LISTBURGER! So good. I get the anchovy thing — it took me a long time to get comfortable with them. You can make the dressing with fish sauce instead, if you want to try it at home!

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Chris Grace's avatar

Great idea- thanks! Also, weirdly, Caesar salad has popped up in so many email posts and blogs for me recently. I think it's a sign from the universe.

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Melissa Joulwan's avatar

It's everywhere right now because of the 100-year anniversary. Nice reminder that C

Caesar Salad is DELICIOUS! ;-)

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Gretared's avatar

Mel, I don’t have a stick blender. Use a blender blender or a whisk for that Caesar recipe ?

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Melissa Joulwan's avatar

Blender blender! Get all the ingredients to room temperature, put everything except the oil in the blender and blitz it. Then run the blender and drizzle the oil in through the hole in the lid.

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Nicole Bennett's avatar

fascinating to learn the history of the Caesar salad! I’ve never made it from scratch before, but now I want to.

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Mel Joulwan & Dave Humphreys's avatar

Oh, how fun! Let me know how it goes if you make a Caesar! —Mel

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Gretared's avatar

Iris Cheerycracker needs a Caesar salad stat. Gonna try your recipe. Also, thoroughly enjoying Murder on the Ile Sordou. ❤️

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Melissa Joulwan's avatar

That is a BRILLIANT name. Love it so much. And I'm happy you're enjoying that book! It's cute, right?

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Michael Jensen's avatar

Oh, and thanks for the mention! from Shan Shuffletofu.

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Melissa Joulwan's avatar

It's a great post! Happy to share.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

My librarian name is Shan Shuffletofu. And my husband Brent makes an awesome Caesar salad minus the anchovies, which, lets be honest, are just gross.

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Melissa Joulwan's avatar

Shuffltofu! Love it. Agree to disagree on anchovies.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

Given that you're planning on drinking fermented yak's milk...

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Melissa Joulwan's avatar

'Drinking.'

I think 'tentatively trying a sip with a stand-by glass of water just in case' is more accurate.

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Michael Jensen's avatar

GO BIG OR GO HOME, MELISSA! DRINK! DRINK! DRINK!

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lizzie's avatar

Florence Flit-egg, reporting for library duty 🫡

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Mel Joulwan & Dave Humphreys's avatar

Love it so much!

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

Loved this post, and only partially b/c I Love Caesar Salad! (and that's my recipe too). I love the added part abut brother Alex and his "Aviator" version too.

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Mel Joulwan & Dave Humphreys's avatar

Am seriously considering making Caesar dressing right now because I made myself hungry for it. We are definitely having it on July 4 with fries. —Mel

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Jeanine Kitchel's avatar

I may make it this weekend!!

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Kay's avatar

Hello, Melissa. I'm now Jane Dashtuna, librarian, ha ha! (Actually, at one time I did want to BE a librarian. But after a career in educational support, I'm now a retiree in Arizona, USA.) I've been a fan of yours (and Dave's) since you wrote Well Fed. I've only physically traveled to two countries: the U.K.--for three years--& short trips over the border to Mexico, but I've "traveled" around the world (and to other worlds) via books (and of course, your blog, etc.) Your zest for life in every way is inspiring.

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Chris Grace's avatar

Jane Dashtuna sounds like she could be a librarian/spy!

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Melissa Joulwan's avatar

OK, I love the first name Jane and Dashtuna?! That is amazing!

Thank you for being with us on this long adventure from cookbooks to armchair travel! That's so nice. You made my day!

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Katy O.'s avatar

Just added Service to my wishlist! I shall be requesting that my public library purchase a copy ☺️

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Jessica Grosman's avatar

The best Caesar salad & dressing is Julia’s Caesar, recipe by Julia Turshen! We’re having it on Sunday night, as a culinary warm-up to July 4th 😂

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