Healthy Caesar Salad with Spicy Croutons

To go along with our restaurant style Valentine's Day dinner I found a healthy Caesar salad recipe on Cooking Light.com. I liked that this recipe called for minimal ingredients, most of which I already had at home and the dressing didn't use raw egg like many Caesar recipes. I thought this salad would be great as an easy main dish with some grilled chicken, plus there is only 137 calories and 4 grams of fat per serving.  You can't say that about any Caesar salad you would order from a restaurant!

Healthy Caesar Salad with Spicy Croutons
** adapted from Cooking Light
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Serves 6
Prep Time: 15 minutes

1 garlic clove, halved
1/2 c. nonfat mayonnaise
2 T. red wine vinegar
2 tsp Dijon mustard
2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp anchovy paste
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tsp olive oil
3/4 tsp Tony's Creole Seasoning
1 garlic clove, minced
2 cups (3/4 inch) sourdough bread crumbs
1 head romaine lettuce, chopped
1/3 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Process garlic in a food processor until minced. Add mayo and the next 5 ingredients (mayo through pepper); process until well-blended. Cover and chill till salad is ready.

Combine oil, Creole seasoning, and minced garlic in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 20 seconds. Add bread crumbs; toss gently to coat. Spread bread crumbs in a single layer on a baking sheet; bake at 400 for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.

Place lettuce in a large bowl. Add dressing; toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with cheese, and top with croutons.