From Language to Lunch – Caesar Salad
From Language to Lunch: Exploring Spanish Through the Story of Caesar Salad
In Spanish class, students explored the theme of healthy eating through a lesson that combined language, culture, and a bit of culinary history.
As part of the unit, students learned about the surprising origins of the Caesar salad. Despite its name, the dish is not Italian—it was created in Mexico by Italian-American chef Caesar Cardini in the 1920s. Working in Tijuana during a busy holiday weekend, Cardini reportedly improvised the dish using the ingredients he had on hand, creating what would become one of the most well-known salads in the world.
Alongside this cultural exploration, students were introduced to key vocabulary related to food, ingredients, and meals, helping them build a stronger connection between language and everyday life.
A Taste of Learning
To finish the unit, students had the chance to sample a simple version of a Caesar salad, bringing the lesson to life in a memorable way. The focus was on a more traditional dressing—without mayonnaise—using classic ingredients closer to the original recipe.
🥗 Simple Traditional Caesar Salad Recipe (No Mayo)
Ingredients:
- 1 head of romaine lettuce
- 1 clove garlic
- 2–3 anchovy fillets
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Dijon mustard
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- Parmesan cheese (grated)
- Croutons and roasted chicken (optional)
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Wash and chop the romaine lettuce.
- Put some salt in a bowl, mash the garlic and anchovies into a paste into this using a fork.
- Add the egg yolk, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and Dijon mustard. Mix well.
- Slowly whisk in the olive oil until the dressing thickens. Add a bit of parmesan cheese and mix.
- Toss the lettuce with the dressing.
- Top with Parmesan cheese and croutons.
This lesson offered students a simple but engaging way to connect language learning with culture—and, of course, enjoy something delicious along the way.
