180ml salad oil, preferably olive oil

85g French or Italian bread, cut into 2.5cm cubes

1 large garlic clove, crushed with flat side of a knife

2 small heads of Cos lettuce, separated into leaves, rinsed and crisped

salt and pepper

2 eggs, soft- boiled for 1 minute

75ml lemon juice

75g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated

6 anchovy fillets, drained and finely chopped [optional]

Heat 60ml of the oil in a large frying pan. Add the bread cubes and garlic. Fry, stirring and turning constantly, until the cubes are golden brown all over. Drain op paper towels.

Discard the garlic. Tear large lettuce into smaller pieces. Put all the lettuce into a large salad bowl. Add the remaining oil and season with salt and pepper. Toss the leaves to coat well.

Break the eggs on top. Sprinkle with the lemon juice. Toss well again. Add the cheese and anchovies, if using. Toss gently to mix.