I love holding dinner parties for my mates. I like to provide a good old spread with lots of grub and wine glasses full. It’s always nice to offer my guests some canapés as they arrive to kick-start the evening. This particular canapé came from my old man who is the king of canapés. It’s a twist on the classic Caesar Salad and it doesn’t disappoint. It is ideal for a pre Christmas dinner party canapé. Caesar Salads have been around since 1924, invented by Caesar Cardini an Italian born Mexican who served it in a kitchen in Tijuana. I like to serve each individual salad in a leaf of gem lettuce. It’s very easy, tastes great and always impresses. I have made a cheats easy way of making them and it only contains basic ingredients.
Ingredients
- One free range or organic skinless chicken breast sliced thinly
- Mayo, 3 large desert spoons worth
- Salt and pepper a twist of each
- Juice from one lemon
- Two gem lettuces
- A pinch smoked paprika
- Parmesan cheese
- Croutons
Step 1.
Fry the chicken breasts and season them with salt, pepper and olive oil.
Step 2.
Take the outer leaves off the gems and wash.
Step 3.
Mix the mayo, lemon juice, shaved parmesan and paprika for a little kick and colour. Taste to check as it may need more lemon juice or seasoning.
Step 4.
Add the chicken to the mayo and mix.
Step 5.
Spoon onto each gem and serve.
You could also add an anchovy which would add some extra richness to them. I buy my parmesan from Elliott of the Cheese and Ham Co at Borough Market. It’s great stuff, I eat it straight from the cheese box.
Charlie the Butcher.
