Mexico has a secret weapon in its crunch World Cup clash with England: Caesar salad. The classic lettuce dish was invented in Tijuana 102 years ago and remains a firm favourite with the players, according to a report by the Daily Star's Chief Reporter Jerry Lawton.
Origins in Tijuana
The salad was created by Italian immigrant Caesar Cardini in Tijuana, a party city just south of the US border. Cardini improvised the first Caesar salad on the fly when his kitchen ran low on ingredients during a busy holiday weekend, tossing all he had left into a bowl tableside. The concoction became a hit, especially with Americans heading south of the border for alcohol during Prohibition. They took versions of the recipe back to the States, and it went on to become the most ordered salad in the world.
Enduring Popularity
Even the Iran team, based in Tijuana throughout their World Cup campaign, could not resist trying the salad. It is still made to Cardini's original recipe at Caesar's restaurant in Tijuana, where it is served for £9.29 a portion. The International Society of Epicures in Paris described it as 'the greatest recipe to originate in the Americas in 50 years'. Gone With the Wind star Clark Gable also made the trek south from Hollywood to try it.
Original Recipe
A true Caesar features unchopped Romaine lettuce leaves, garlic, oil, lime, Dijon mustard, black pepper, grated Parmesan cheese, a raw egg, and Worcestershire Sauce. Pan-fried baguette croutons should be rubbed in garlic. The original recipe featured neither anchovies nor chicken.
One Caesar connoisseur visiting the restaurant said: 'Most people think it was French or Italian - named after Julius Caesar. But it is 100% Mexican. Everyone eats it here. They are so proud of it. It's on almost every menu. Apparently the footballers love it - though they have to take it easy. Too much dressing could tighten the shorts.'
