ChatGPT's Caesar Salad

 Ingredients:

2 heads of romaine lettuce, washed and chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 anchovy fillets, chopped

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup olive oil

Salt and pepper, to taste

Croutons, for serving (optional)

Instructions:

In a large bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, chopped anchovies, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, and grated parmesan cheese.

(Andre's commentary: It's best to use freshly grated parmesan. For the best, fastest result, buy real Parmigiano Reggiano, cut off a piece of the size you want, and give it a few pulses in a Vitamix or similarly high-powered blender. The stuff in the plastic canisters almost always has cellulose or some other added anti-caking agent that prevents the emulsion from forming or lets it form, but with a very subpar texture)

Gradually drizzle in the olive oil, whisking constantly, until the dressing is emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

(Technically, this should be done with mayonnaise, not just oil, but I guess enough oil could make it work. Props to GPT on this crucial technical point: start the emulsion-building process literally drop by drop, then go to a steady but thin stream and increase flow rate gradually. If you start with a high flow rate and keep it there, the emulsion will not form because the rest of the dressing will be flooded by the oil, and the phases will separate and resist coming together. This is another reason why mayonnaise is important here-- because, having already been emulsified, the mayo, together with the garlic, can help bind things together more effectively)

Add the chopped romaine lettuce to the bowl and toss to coat with the dressing.

(Any hearty lettuce works well-- Romaine, Boston Bibb, Little Gem. Use whatever you like/have available in your area.)

Serve the salad immediately, topped with croutons if desired.