One of my all time favorite ways to enjoy breaded fried calamari is on top of a Caesar salad. It’s the combination of crispy cool lettuce with creamy caesar dressing, lots of parmesan cheese and crunchy warm fried calamari that’s so perfectly balanced. And with my homemade Caesar Dressing and Grain-Free Fried Calamari, it’s guilt free! Oh, and if you are paleo, just leave off the parmesan cheese!
I first had this life changing combination way back in the early 1990’s at The Union Grill in Washington, PA. This restaurant wasn’t just a place that was great for that particular salad, they had so much other delicious food! And it is the place that really ignited my love of dining at ‘better’ restaurants when I was a teenager.
It’s also where I introduced Ray to my mom, when we first started dating in 2000. And I’m pretty sure I had a Calamari Caesar for dinner!
By “Better” I don’t mean 5-star dining but I mean those restaurants that aren’t chains. That are most often locally owned and operated. With prices higher than your typical Olive Garden or Red Lobster. With their Entree’s in the $20-$30 price range. One of those date night perfect places.
While, we haven’t dined at The Union Grill in at least 15 years, but they sill have my favorite Calamari Caesar salad on their menu now! So, If you’re local to Washington, PA (or traveling through) it’s a must try dish!
The key to this delicious salad is the fried calamari and I’ve perfected Grain-Free Fried Calamari. It’s just like what you’ll get at a restaurant only without any of the gluten or grains! Lightly breaded with a delicious crispy coating – my mouth is literally watering…
Did you know that in less than 1 minute you can whip up a perfect Caesar salad Dressing??? Watch this video to learn how!
If you are eating low-carb, keto or carnivore check out my Zero Carb Keto Croutons recipe in place of the fried calamari!
Yours in Health,
Ingredients
1 Minute Keto Caesar Dressing
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1+ clove garlic finely chopped/minced/grated
- 1 tablespoon anchovy paste
- 1/2 medium lemon(s) juiced
For the Salad
- 1 batch Grain Free Fried Calamari
- 2-3 heads Romaine Lettuce
- 1/3 cup parmesan cheese freshly shaved or grated
Instructions
- Combine dressing ingredients and mix well. Can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Will keep up to a week.
- Toss romaine with Caesar Dressing and about 1/2 of the parmesan cheese. Top with warm fried calamari and the remaining parmesan cheese.
- Enjoy!
**This post is not sponsored or affiliated with The Union Grill in any way. It’s simply part of the story of where this delicious salad originated. I like to give credit where credit is due!**