Kale Caesar with Tofu Croutons

Name: Kale Caesar with Tofu Croutons
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: ½ cup raw cashews (soaked in room temp water for 4 hours or hot water for 30 minutes); ½ cup water; 1 tbsp tahini; 1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed); 1 tsp dijon mustard; 1 small garlic clove; ½ tbsp worcestershire sauce (vegan); 2 tbsp Vegan Walnut Parmesan (link in directions); 2 tsp capers; salt (optional); ground black pepper (optional); 6 cups organic kale (chopped); ½ cup organic tomatoes (chopped); ½ cup red onion (thinly sliced); ½ batch of Tofu Croutons (link in directions)

Nichole Dandrea-Russert, MS, RDN

4 weeks ago

Yields2 ServingsPrep Time10 minsTotal Time10 mins

Ingredients

Caesar Dressing

½ cup raw cashews (soaked in room temp water for 4 hours or hot water for 30 minutes)

½ cup water

1 tbsp tahini

1 tbsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)

1 tsp dijon mustard

1 small garlic clove

½ tbsp worcestershire sauce (vegan)

2 tbsp Vegan Walnut Parmesan (link in directions)

2 tsp capers

salt (optional)

ground black pepper (optional)

Salad Ingredients

6 cups organic kale (chopped)

½ cup organic tomatoes (chopped)

½ cup red onion (thinly sliced)

½ batch of Tofu Croutons (link in directions)

Directions

Make the Caesar dressing: Add all ingredients to a food processor or high-speed blender, including the 2 tablespoons of Vegan Walnut Parmesan, and blend until creamy.

Taste for additional flavors of choice — more lemon for acidity, more parmesan for cheesy, more garlic for garlicky. Set aside.

Add the kale to a large bowl.

Add three tablespoons of the Caesar Dressing to the kale and massage the dressing into the kale with clean hands. Massage until the kale is slightly wilted, about 30–60 seconds.

Add the tomatoes and onions and toss.

Add the remaining Caesar dressing (or less if you prefer lighter dressing).

Divide Kale Caesar between two bowls and top with the Tofu Croutons.

Chef's Notes

Substitutions
In place of kale, use spinach, chard, or other leafy green of choice.

Instead of red onion, use yellow or white onion, or shallots.

Use ¼ teaspoon of garlic powder in place of the whole clove.

In place of Tofu Croutons, use other vegan croutons of choice.

Nut-free
Use sunflower seeds in place of cashews for the Caesar dressing.

Prep Ahead
Make the Tofu Croutons ahead of time and store in an airtight container for up to three days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven at 400 degrees F for 10–15 minutes.

Make the Caesar Dressing with the Vegan Walnut Parmesan ahead of time and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Storage
Store kale caesar leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.