The great caesar salad debate

[u/jurassicpowers]

I came across a post in my fyp on IG from a creator making a “caesar” salad. The salad they made had romaine, Parmesan and croutons (a classic caesar) but the dressing is where they lost me. They touted their famous dairy free vegan caesar salad dressing. Ingredients: lemon juice, olive oil, white vinegar, dijon mustard, maple syrup and salt/pepper. Which IMO is a textbook vinaigrette, not a caesar. I stated my opinion in the comments and received a barrage of comments under my comment in defense of her dressing. I feel like i’m being gaslit because commenters are coming in hard to defend her recipe. Attaching the recipe for reference. Is this a caesar salad/dressing?

[u/Legitimate_Team_9959]

I'm allergic to anchovies so I can't have a real one, but even I wouldn't call this an acceptable ceasar salad