In Dairy Free, Lunch, Recipes, Sides, Uncategorized

Caesar Salad with Dairy-Free Cashew Dressing

Caesar Salad with Dairy-Free Cashew Dressing

One of my favourite salads has to be Caesar salad – and this is my version. If you didn’t know, you would never guess from the taste that dairy is missing from the deliciously creamy dressing!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes
Servings 250 ml

Ingredients
  

  • 150 g unsalted cashews soaked overnight in cold water
  • 6 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes I use the brand Marigold
  • 8 tbsp light olive oil
  • 7 tbsp water
  • sea salt or herbamare

Croutons

  • ¼ loaf gluten-free bread made into croutons
  • sea salt
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 large heads of Romaine lettuce chopped

Serving Suggestion

  • cooked chicken, fish, smoked tofu or tempeh

Instructions
 

  • Soak the cashew nuts overnight (or at least 8 hours) in enough water to cover 1 inch above the nuts. Then drain through a sieve and rinse under cold water.
  • Place the cashews in a food processor fitted with a S blade, together with the yeast flakes, olive oil and water and blend together. Add the sea salt, taking care not to add too much as the nutritional yeast flakes have quite a salty taste then blend again until you reach a smooth consistency. Check for seasoning.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F, gas mark 5, 190°C (170°C fan-assisted). Slice the bread into ½ inch thick slices then cut each slice into cubes (no need to remove the crust!). Spread the bread cubes out in a single layer on a silicone baking mat or baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake for 5 minutes – keeping an eye on them to ensure they don’t burn.
  • Whilst the croutons are baking, mix together the olive oil and sea salt. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and drizzle the croutons with the oil mixture, toss to combine, then bake for a further 5 minutes then remove from the oven, toss again, and bake 5 - 6 minutes longer, until golden brown and crisp. Remove from the oven and set aside.
  • In a large salad bowl toss together the lettuce, half of the dressing and garnish with croutons. Serve the extra dressing on the side, or keep it in the fridge for up to 3-5 days to use again.
  • You can serve as it is or I would suggest adding cooked chicken, salmon or anchovies & sun-dried tomatoes or, for a wholly plant-based version, smoked tofu or tempeh make lovely additions.

Notes

LISA’S TIP – this dressing will last up to 3-5 in your fridge if kept in a lidded container. For a salad that feeds 4-6 people you will need to use around 125ml of the dressing. This salad is full of nutrients from the nutritional yeast flakes and cashews as well as from the leaves and the dressing makes a healthier alternative to the supermarket bought ones. As soon as you try this delicious recipe, you’ll be ditching that shop bought bottles forever!
Share Tweet Pin It +1
Previous PostDairy Free Basil Pesto
Next PostZesty Cauliflower Rice
X