Bottled Caesar salad dressing is a convenient go-to for busy days, but it doesn't have that same as the restaurant version (shout out to Olive Garden). You know what you're getting when they bring out the creamy, tangy, addictive sauce to your table with a crisp salad in tow. Buying it from the grocery store is fine if you don't feel like making your own, but it's not going to be anything like what you get from a high-quality dining establishment.
If you're unable to make it out to your favorite spot for lunch or dinner, you can take your ordinary bottled Caesar up a notch by adding anchovy paste. This small ingredient can make a big difference by bringing a briny, umami flavor to your dressing, much like what you'd find in a chef-made Caesar from the restaurant. And you don't need much, by blending just a teaspoon or two into your bottled Caesar salad dressing, you can transform it from a bland afterthought into the star of your meal.
Why anchovy paste does the trick Caesar dressing is traditionally known for its delicious combination of garlic, lemon, Parmesan, and anchovies. offers an easy way to fix that. Some people go for whole anchovies, which can be intimidating to many home cooks, but you don't need to get that fancy to achieve the desired outcome.
For newbies who aren't familiar with anchovy paste, be aware that the smell is more pungent than the actual flavor, so overpowering the sauce isn't likely with such a small amount. If you did add too much paste, you'd have.
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