Name: Ananda Caesar Salad with Cornmeal-Chickpea Pancake
Yield: Makes 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 cup plain low-fat yogurt; 1/8 teaspoon dried Guntur red chile,* seeded and finely chopped; 2 large leaves basil, cut crosswise into thin strips; 1 clove garlic, finely chopped; 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt; 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped (from 1/8 medium onion); 1 1/2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, finely grated; 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt; 4 (1-inch-thick) slices whole wheat bread, crusts removed; 2 cloves garlic, peeled and cut in half; 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil; 1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped; 2 large leaves basil, coarsely chopped; 1/4 cup chickpea flour**; 1/4 cup fine yellow cornmeal; 1/8 teaspoon baking powder; 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk; 2 cups iceberg lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces; 1 (2-ounce) piece Parmesan cheese, shaved; *Guntur red chile, native to southern India, is available at Asian and Indian markets. If unavailable, dried ancho or chipotle chiles, or ground ancho chile powder make good substitutes.; **Chickpea flour, also called gram flour or besan, can be found at Middle Eastern and Indian markets or at Kalustyans.com.; two 12-inch squares cheesecloth

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Ananda Caesar Salad with Cornmeal-Chickpea PancakeLara Ferroni

This twist on the Caesar salad is part of a healthy and delicious spa menu developed exclusively for Epicurious by Ananda spa in India. Iceberg lettuce is topped with a crispy buttermilk, cornmeal, and chickpea flour pancake, low-fat cheese made from yogurt and spices, and an anchovy-free dressing. Note that the raw garlic is rubbed on the croutons after rather than before toasting to preserve its volatile oils. Garlic—particularly when it's uncooked—has been attributed with numerous health benefits, including fighting cancer and killing harmful bacteria. If you are following an Ayurvedic diet, the experts at Ananda recommend this for vata and kapha doshas.

Be sure to start this recipe at least one day ahead.

Recipe notes

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