A look at how the famous Caesar Salad, which turns 100 years old this year, is still relevant today

A bed of green, crisp lettuce, salty Parmesan cheese flakes and crunchy croutons, all tossed with a creamy garlic dressing made from mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, anchovies and lemon juice, a Caesar salad is a medley of flavours and textures. While you might assume that this salad originated in the cozy lap of the infamous Roman dictator Julius Caesar, its roots lie much more recently, about 100 years ago.

Italian chef Caesar Cardini wanted to escape the Prohibition era in America and moved to Mexico. Here he created this salad, which became a classic side dish that found fans around the world. The Hotel Caesar in Tijuana still stands today and waiters carry on Cardini’s legacy by preparing the salad right at your table. From mashing the anchovies to emulsifying the dressing and plating, the experience is truly unique. The hotel still makes up to 300 Caesar salads a day.

A statue of Cardini is also set to be unveiled in Tijuana as part of plans for a three-day food and wine festival to commemorate the incredible salad, The Associated Press reports.

Served with lettuce wedges, drizzled with dressing or chopped greens, Caesar salad makes the perfect base for your own toppings – chicken, fish, boiled eggs, shrimp, tofu, chickpeas, the possibilities are truly endless and delicious. Pair it with pizza or chips for a touch of health, put it on a bun and make a sandwich, or mix it with some pasta for a well-rounded meal.

Like all classics, social media users have taken this easy-to-make salad and given it a little twist: They’ve added it to pizza or chicken waffle crust, and it’s also part of the holy trinity of what’s known as “the perfect meal.” This “girls’ dinner” consists of a serving of French fries and a side of Caesar salad, washed down with a martini.