For the longest time, the only pancetta I could find at the grocery store was the finely diced kind – always good, but it felt more like bacon sprinkles than a real ingredient. So I was thrilled when I finally spotted a thicker-cut version, and it really makes all the difference in a simple salad like Ina Garten’s Caesar Salad with Pancetta.
The browned pancetta gets tossed with cherry tomatoes roasted until jammy and concentrated, crisp romaine, shaved parmesan, and a from-scratch caesar dressing that ties it all together – garlicky, lemony, with that anchovy backbone that you don’t notice but provides that classic can’t-put-my-finger-on-it depth.
It’s a classic salad with a few smart tweaks to turn up the volume!
Book: Barefoot Contessa Parties!, page 46
Rating: 5/5
How Easy Is That – Skill Level: Easy
How Easy Is That – Time Involved: 35 minutes
Store-Bought Is Fine: Dijon mustard
Recipe on FoodNetwork.com
