Vegan Kale Caesar
We combine creamy cashews with some other traditional Caesar dressing ingredients to make a vegan version of the classic.
Ingredients
- ½ loaf (235 g) ciabatta bread, cut into 1" cubes
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- ½ pound (227 g) kale, stems removed, chopped into 1" pieces
- ½ cup (120 g) Vegan Parmesan Cheese
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) water
- ½ cup (70 g) cashews
- 2 Tablespoons (15 g) nutritional yeast
- ½ lemon, peeled, zest & pith removed
- 2 Tablespoons (30 g) capers, drained, rinsed
- 1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons vegan worcestershire sauce
- 1 garlic clove, peeled
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¾ cup (180 ml) extra virgin olive oil
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Toss ciabatta bread cubes with the 2 Tablespoons olive oil, and place on a half sheet tray in the oven once it is preheated. Cook for 12 – 15 minutes or until golden brown, turning as needed throughout the cooking process.
- Rinse the kale well, drying thoroughly and placing into a large bowl. Set aside.
- For the dressing, place all remaining ingredients (except parmesan cheese and 3/4 cup olive oil) into the Vitamix container and secure the lid. Start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed, blending for 35 – 40 seconds.
- Reduce speed to Variable 4 and remove lid plug. Add the oil through the lid lug opening in a steady stream until all has been added, then replace lid plug and increase to the highest speed, blending for 10 seconds.
- Toss the kale with the Caesar dressing and let sit for 15 – 20 minutes to marry the flavors. Add bread cubes and vegan parmesan cheese, tossing to combine, serve immediately.
Chef's Notes
- The cashews in this recipe replace eggs and mayonnaise that are typically in a Caesar dressing, and the Vitamix does a great job of mimicking this texture by blending them down until they're creamy. Capers and nutritional yeast add a nice briny and salted taste as a substitute for parmesan cheese.Top each with a portion of cooked salmon, grilled chicken, or spring and summer-style grilled vegetables.
Ingredients
- ½ loaf (235 g) ciabatta bread, cut into 1" cubes
- 2 Tablespoons (30 ml) extra virgin olive oil
- ½ pound (227 g) kale, stems removed, chopped into 1" pieces
- ½ cup (120 g) Vegan Parmesan Cheese
- ⅓ cup (80 ml) water
- ½ cup (70 g) cashews
- 2 Tablespoons (15 g) nutritional yeast
- ½ lemon, peeled, zest & pith removed
- 2 Tablespoons (30 g) capers, drained, rinsed
- 1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons vegan worcestershire sauce
- 1 garlic clove, peeled
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ¾ cup (180 ml) extra virgin olive oil
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Toss ciabatta bread cubes with the 2 Tablespoons olive oil, and place on a half sheet tray in the oven once it is preheated. Cook for 12 – 15 minutes or until golden brown, turning as needed throughout the cooking process.
- Rinse the kale well, drying thoroughly and placing into a large bowl. Set aside.
- For the dressing, place all remaining ingredients (except parmesan cheese and 3/4 cup olive oil) into the Vitamix container and secure the lid. Start the blender on its lowest speed, then quickly increase to its highest speed, blending for 35 – 40 seconds.
- Reduce speed to Variable 4 and remove lid plug. Add the oil through the lid lug opening in a steady stream until all has been added, then replace lid plug and increase to the highest speed, blending for 10 seconds.
- Toss the kale with the Caesar dressing and let sit for 15 – 20 minutes to marry the flavors. Add bread cubes and vegan parmesan cheese, tossing to combine, serve immediately.
Chef's Notes
- The cashews in this recipe replace eggs and mayonnaise that are typically in a Caesar dressing, and the Vitamix does a great job of mimicking this texture by blending them down until they're creamy. Capers and nutritional yeast add a nice briny and salted taste as a substitute for parmesan cheese.Top each with a portion of cooked salmon, grilled chicken, or spring and summer-style grilled vegetables.