For purists, a Caesar contains fresh garlic, cold dry greens, imported olive oil, fresh lemon juice, homemade croutons and imported Parmesan cheese. If you insist on the best ingredients, your Caesar will be inspired - no matter what your formula. Greens should be crisp and cold. The romaine must be washed leaf by leaf. Boring, but necessary.
Nothing ruins any salad like the crunch of sand.
For big loads, I pat the leaves dry with some paper towels and then throw them into a clean pillowcase which I swing around to get rid of excess water. Store washed greens in paper towels in the refrigerator. There is nothing worse than fragile, limp lettuce weighed down by a heavy dressing. Unlike iceberg lettuce, which is tastelessly sanitary, romaine lettuce has all sorts of cute unexpected creatures nestled in its deep, and often sandy crevices so thorough washing is a must. Hail to the emperor.