
After an absence of nine months (the longest absence in almost 20 years), I find myself in Palm Springs for the Memorial Day holiday. Memorial Day and Palm Springs have an important connection in my extended (non-genetic) family. So despite the changes in my life (my partner’s travel-challenged mother has moved in with us), I’m pleased to say we found a way to continue the Memorial Day tradition of blazing desert sunshine and turquoise swimming pools. Of course, there’s more to a long weekend than frolicking in the sun. Memorial Day for us this year will include a grilled pizza party, hand-ground burgers, and sophisticated twilight dinners on the lawn.
Which means I’m pitching in with the cooking. Yippee!
I know the crowd I’m cavorting with, and I’m sure steak will be a part of our long weekend. Probably steak frites. We’ll need something green on the plate and the first thing that comes to mind is a Caesar salad. However, have you ever watched a Caesar salad wilt and die in the hot desert sun? It’s not a pretty picture. Alterations to the recipe are in order if I plan to bring anything as august as a Caesar salad to this festive feast in the ferocious heat.
Green Bean Caesar Salad
Green beans can stand up to a Palm Springs party. Why couldn’t I make a traditional Caesar dressing and slather it all over blanched green beans, stir in some chopped anchovies, and top it with homemade croutons? A Green Bean Caesar Salad!
Well, raw egg for one thing. I don’t really want to set a raw egg salad dressing out in the hot desert sun.
So I googled around and found plenty of eggless Caesar salad dressings. I could have gone with any one of them. However, did I mention this was a holiday weekend? In the end, I did something I never do. I bought (high quality) store-bought Caesar salad dressing. Hey, I’m on vacation! GREG

I’ve made “Caesar” salad with zucchini and broccoli, but not with beans. Weird, because beans sound like they’d work best. Great idea. And we always have an “emergency” bottle of commercial Caesar dressing in the refrigerator (if you can find a brand that’s good, why not?). Hope you had a terrific holiday weekend!
You are so creative — I love this idea, and wonder if it might work with broccoli, too?
I’m sure it would! GREG
This is officially added to my list of “awesome summer salads”! Great idea, Greg! Have fun on your vacation!!
This is a great healthy alternative to Caesar salad. Love it! Years ago, we traveled to Palm Springs for a couple of days. I was giddy with delight because our hotel room rates were so reasonable…Laugh because it was 110 degrees! OMG it was so hot but beautiful.
Happy almost summer.
Velva
Nothing worse that a hot, wilting salad. Such a great idea dolling up beans with an umami rich caesar dressing.…YUM! Happy sunning and swimming! — S
What a creative idea, Greg, I’m liking it abundantly! (the farm stands seem to be stacked with green beans this year:)
Enjoy your vacation and thanks for sharing…
P.S. When you return, you might want to check your Pinterest button up top. It doesn’t go anywhere:) I did find you on Pinterest though:)