The original recipe for Caesar dressing did not call for anchovies.
In 1924, restaurateur Caesar Cardini created his namesake salad by tossing eggs, Parmesan cheese, garlic and Worcestershire sauce with romaine lettuce. It wasn't until 1926, when Alex Cardini joined his brother, that anchovies were added to the recipe. Salty and strong in flavor, anchovies are not for everyone, leaving some home cooks seeking worthy substitutions.
Capers
Capers, the young buds of the Mediterranean caper bush, make an excellent substitution. Related distantly to cabbage, capers are picked early and brined in olive oil or vinegar. These tart, briny buds deliver a similar flavor to anchovies without the fishiness. Give them a quick dice and whisk them into your favorite Caesar dressing, or add them on top of the salad.
Kalamata Olives
Named for a coastal region in the south of Greece, these large, almond-shaped olives also thrive in the temperate weather along the Mediterranean Sea. Kalamata olives, also spelled calamata, are much saltier than capers and should be used sparingly in substitutions. These flavorful olives would be best sprinkled on a salad, but the brine might make a nice addition to dressing.
Miso
Once hard to find, this Japanese staple may now be available in your local supermarket. Miso is made from fermented soy beans and has a savory, salty taste depending on the variety. Commonly sold in a paste, miso is often used in Japanese soups and sauces. Shiro miso, one of the smoothest varieties, would be best for mixing into a creamy dressing.
Fish Sauce
Fish sauce is another common ingredient in Japanese and Asian cooking. Depending on the region, fish sauce is made by fermenting anchovies, sardines, squid, or other fish. Readily available in the Asian foods aisle of most supermarkets, fish sauce is often compared to Worcestershire sauce in taste. Use this strong condiment sparingly to avoid oversalting your dressing.
Worchestershire Sauce
Caesar Cardini's original recipe called for this popular English condiment and it still makes a good substitute for anchovies. In fact, these salty fish were among the original ingredients used by John Lea and William Perrins to create Worcestershire sauce in 1837. Like Asian fish sauce, it can be added to Caesar dressing to replicate the briny taste of anchovies. If you're using store-bought dressing, be sure to check the label--anchovies may already be a key ingredient.
Tags: Caesar dressing, Worcestershire sauce, Caesar Cardini, fish sauce, flavor anchovies, olives also