Cleophus Hethington, Zak the Baker’s chef de cuisine, uses tamari for salty complexity in his ode to Caesar dressing. While he uses dairy-free cheese to finish the dish, any sharp aged cheese (like Pecorino) would work. Cornbread croutons create a crisp finish with nutty sweetness; if you can’t find store-bought, Hethington says to bake some up using a box of Jiffy.
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Ingredients
4–6 servings
8
oz. prepared cornbread, cut into ¾” pieces
2
bunches broccolini (about 1 lb. total), trimmed
1
bunch broccoli rabe (about 1 lb.), trimmed
Kosher salt
6
garlic cloves, thinly sliced
7
Tbsp. grapeseed or vegetable oil, divided
2
large egg yolks
6
oil-packed anchovy fillets
3
Tbsp. sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
1
Tbsp. tamari soy sauce
2
tsp. Dijon mustard
Finely grated dairy-free or regular Pecorino or Gruyère (for serving)
Preparation
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Step 1
Preheat oven to 350°. Bake 8 oz. prepared cornbread, cut into ¾” pieces, in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown and crisp, 20–25 minutes. Let croutons cool.
Step 2
Meanwhile, working in 3 batches, cook 2 bunches broccolini (about 1 lb. total), trimmed, and 1 bunch broccoli rabe (about 1 lb.), trimmed, in a large pot of boiling salted water just until bright green and partly tender, about 1 minute per batch. Using tongs, transfer to a bowl of ice water and let cool. Drain and place on a kitchen towel. Pat to remove as much moisture as possible. Cut any thicker stalks into 1″–2″ pieces.
Step 3
Bring 6 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, and 3 Tbsp. grapeseed or vegetable oil to a bare simmer in a small saucepan over medium-low heat and cook, swirling occasionally, until garlic is just slightly darker in color and very soft, 10–12 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes. Transfer garlic along with oil to a blender. Add 2 large egg yolks, 6 oil-packed anchovy fillets, 3 Tbsp. sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar, 1 Tbsp. tamari soy sauce, 2 tsp. Dijon mustard, and 2 Tbsp. water and purée until smooth. With motor running, stream in 3 Tbsp. grapeseed or vegetable oil; blend until emulsified. Taste dressing and season with salt if needed.
Step 4
Heat remaining 1 Tbsp. grapeseed or vegetable oil in a large skillet over high. Working in batches, cook broccolini and broccoli rabe in a single layer, tossing occasionally, until tender and blistered in spots, about 3 minutes per batch. Season lightly with salt.
Step 5
Transfer broccolini and broccoli rabe to a platter. Drizzle generously with dressing (there will be extra), top with croutons, and sprinkle with finely grated dairy-free or regular Pecorino or Gruyère.
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