A lifelong affair with Mr. Tabasco

Anyone knows, that knows me at all, and maybe even those that don't, that when I die, one of the things that they will have to pry my hand open and remove, will be a bottle of Tabasco Sauce..(the original being my favorite.) I seriously would probably put it on chocolate if it enhanced it in any way....Actually peppers can enhance the flavor of chocolate, but that in itself is another post..

In the meantime, it's not easy to be me...There are many reasons for this, but one of them has followed me most of my life, which are the chagrins from people that I experience every time I bring out Mr. Tabasco (many times he may be in my pocket), as well as their intense exclamations, when they see that I put Mr. Tabasco on just about everything...Now, I don't drown it, but yes, I find it is helpful to most of what is on my plate...Forgive me, it's a dreadful habit, but since I gave up smoking a couple of years ago, and recently cut WAY back on my wine consumption, I am not about to give this addiction up any time soon...

You are probably thinking, "And the point is?"....Please have faith in me...you KNOW that there is one! This is my little prelude before I post the most scrumptious recipe by the Tabasco Company themselves, for a Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad.

Now, allow me just one more paragraph to say, that when my son and I went on this wonderful foodie tour in Chinatown in San Francisco about seven years ago, (my son was definitely NOT a teenager then...), we were asked, in the tour group, to tell everyone our name, where we came from, and our favorite food/dish....They came to me and at the time, my favorite dish was a great Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad. They came to my son and he said "Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad"....I thought that was so cute, and have never forgotten it...He loved to agree with me on most things at that point in his precious childhood...Now he will disagree with me on what time it is, if he can figure out a way to!!!! (teenagers will take your every last nerve and snap it in two...yet another post...) So here goes the recipe...I think it is Fab to the Max!!!!

Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad by my lover, Mr. Tabasco himself! (better known as "Grilled Chicken Salad with Attitude")

Spicy Caesar Dressing
4 anchovy fillets, drained
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon TABASCO brand Pepper Sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/3 cups mayonnaise
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Chicken Caesar Salad
1 cup Spicy Caesar Dressing, divided
1 tablespoon TABASCO brand Pepper Sauce
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
8 cups torn romaine lettuce (about 10 ounces)
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
For Spicy Caesar Dressing: In a blender or small food processor container, combine anchovies, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, TABASCO® brand Pepper Sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and salt; process until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl and whisk in mayonnaise and Parmesan. Set aside 1 cup dressing for salad; reserve remaining 1/2 cup for another use.
For Chicken Caesar Salad: Preheat grill to medium heat. Stir together 1/4 cup of the Caesar dressing and the TABASCO® brand Pepper Sauce in a small bowl; brush mixture on both sides of chicken. Grill chicken until nicely browned and no longer pink inside, about 5 minutes per side.
Place lettuce in a large bowl and add remaining 3/4 cup dressing; toss until evenly coated. Divide salad among 4 dinner plates and top each with a sliced chicken breast and 1 tablespoon cheese.