Casear Salad - Classic & Just a Bite + Sponsor Spotlight

Happy Tuesday, everyone - one day closer to that holiday weekend.  Today I'm sharing a favorite in this house.  A simple and regular Caesar salad is probably both mine and Derek's favorite salad - I mean, it's classic!

Caesar Salad - Just a Bite:
I can't even remember where I originally saw the idea to make these but anything bite size is a favorite of mine.  This will be a repeat appetizer for us I'm sure as the weather gets warmer and a staple at summer BBQ's.

Ingredients:
romaine lettuce
croutons
cooked chicken - cubes
parmesan cheese - cubes
caesar dressing
toothpicks

Directions:
Mix the caesar dressing in with the lettuce in a mixing bowl.  Put a lettuce wedge, chicken cube, parmesan cheese cube through a toothpick and then gently push it into the crouton.  You might have to push the first three ingredients down the toothpick a little to get them to stand right on the crouton (pushing the toothpick only halfway into it is the best way to not have it crack).

*You could also just drizzle the dressing over each bite once finished.

Classic Caesar Salad:
Derek and I usually cheat and just get the lettuce, croutons, fresh parmesan and sometimes grilled chicken and mix it all together with store bought dressing.  However, my step-dad makes the most amazing homemade salad (originally from Rachel Ray, I believe) so if we're having dinner at my parent's house or having them over, we will frequently request that they bring/make this.

Sorry for the terrible photo, it was hard digging through to find one! 

Ingredients:
2 garlic cloves
4 anchovy fillets
1 hard-boiled egg yolk
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/3 teaspoon each salt and pepper

2 head romaine lettuce, torn
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
croutons

Directions:
Chop up the garlic clovers and anchovy fillets.  Add in the hard-boiled egg yolk, 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 3 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon dry mustard and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper.  Mix until all blended smoothly.  Toss the lettuce in a large serving bowl with the dressing and parmesan cheese.

Sponsor Spotlight:
Lastly, I'd like to introduce you to a new sponsor today, Kelsey from The Peacock Roost.  Kelsey is a newlywed who blogs about many aspects of life including starting a business! She's shared some great recipes including crockpot beefy cheesy tortellini (photo below).  I'll let Kelsey share a little bit more about herself.  Be sure to check out her great giveaway at the bottom of the post.

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Hi, I'm Kelsey, lifestyle blogger at The Peacock Roost!  I'm 27 and live in Kentucky with my husband!  I work at a financial advising firm and also run The Green Peacock, an organic lawn care company, with my husband and have my own consulting business on the side as well.  I love spending time with my husband & family, church, reading, Pure Barre, Netlix binges, cooking, shopping, decorating, organization and anything southern!  I blog because I love having a diary of our lives and I absolutely love the blogging community and connecting with new people!  My lifestyle blog, The Peacock Roost, focuses on our married life, recipes, favorite finds, organization, fitness & more. Hope you'll come visit and follow along!

Favorite posts: Louisville + Springsteen, Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up, Crockpot Beefy Cheesy Tortellini, Living Room Renovation, Fitness Updates

A few fun facts:

Favorite food:  Pasta.  Give me all the pasta!

Place wanting to travel: I would really love to visit all of Europe, Ireland and Scotland, and travel back to Africa!

Favorite cocktail: I love a good glass of Moscato, champagne or a mimosa!  I'm a sweet wine and champagne girl :)

Favorite TV shows: Blue Bloods, When Calls the Heart, Scandal, Grey's Anatomy, RHOBH, RHONJ, all the Chicago shows (PD/Fire/Med) and I'm a total sucker for the CW shows (Reign, The Vampire Diaries and The Originals)!

Favorite Store: Nordstrom or Target!

Favorite Sports team: College - Louisville Cardinals, Pro - Dallas Cowboys!

Favorite Holiday: ​Christmas!  I already have several gifts and new decor purchased for this year and have plans to double our decorating!  I want to enjoy 2016 but I'm really excited for this Christmas and all the new and fun things I have planned :)

I hope you all enjoyed getting to know a little bit more about Kelsey, make sure to pop by her blog and say hello.  Also, don't miss her fabulous giveaway below - a Lilly Pulitzer wine glass set (a girl after my own heart!) The giveaway will run through Friday so don't miss out! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

* if you're interested in being a future sponsor of Christina Lea Loves, click here for more information.