Caesar Salad with Pan-Seared Steak

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup mayonnaise (homemade or store bought of choice)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
• 1/2 ounce Parmesan cheese (microplaned fine, plus more for garnish (leave out for dairy-free))
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper
• salt to taste (if needed)
• 4 cups romaine
• 10 individual croutons (crushed, optional)
• 12 ounce strip steak (or individual steaks or a large steak portioned)
• salt (to taste)
• pepper (or steak seasoning to taste, optional)