To make a vegan Caesar salad, we have to look at the individual ingredients, asking what flavor or texture is it bringing. The next step is finding ingredients that reproduce the same flavor or texture.
Like many of us, a Caesar Salad has been a go-to salad. What’s not to like, the dressing is creamy with lemon, garlic, and parmesan cheese. The classic recipe hits all of the notes, acid, umami, and salty, it's why it is a classic. Over the last eight years, I have been working on my Caesar salad. It has continued to develop, adding new techniques and ingredients.
For me, it all comes down to finding a combination of briney sea flavors and umami, all highlighted with bright lemon juice and raw garlic.
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WHAT YOU NEED...
Kelp granules are a key ingredient in the vegan Caesar dressing. The kelp granules bring the brine and sea to the recipe with a healthy amount of umami.
Black Vinegar is an ingredient that you need to have in your pantry. It is one of the most dynamic vinegar ever. The flavor reminds me of Worcestershire sauce, it is not as thick. Black vinegar has a nice round flavor that’s rich and has a slight sweetness to it.
Celery seeds are for sure a new ingredient to my Caesar dressing. Celery seeds have a savory flavor and saltiness that helps to lift the other flavors in the dressing. The celery seeds also have a little bitterness, adding another layer of balance to the dressing.
King Oyster Mushrooms are magical, I really mean it! The texture, when cooked, is so juicy and full of savory flavors and packs tons of umami. Basting the King Oyster mushrooms with maple syrup and poultry seasoning, cooking under the broiler adds even more punch.
Capers, for being such a small berry, bring a whole new level of fun to this dish. When you fry a caper berry it pops open, creating crispy little pedals. The capers are then tossed with nutritional yeast. It is a fun spin on grated parmesan.
How To Make Vegan Caesar Dressing
I like to prepare all of my ingredients in advance. The first step is to infuse the olive oil with kelp granules and celery seeds.
Blend then add the nutritional yeast, lemon and salt.
Creamy vegan Caesar dressing is a must for this classic salad.
How to Make Garlic Vegan Croutons
Start by dicing the bread. Next, you will toss with olive oil, garlic, nutritional yeast and salt. Coat evenly.
Spread the croutons onto a baking sheet and cook until golden brown and crispy.
How to Make Cheesy Fried Capers
Dry the capers to remove excess water then fry in extra virgin olive oil until crisp.
Toss the capers in nutritional yeast for that cheesiness!
How to Make Broiled King Oyster Mushrooms
Slice and score the king oyster mushrooms. Then you will glaze and cook under the broiler.
You will flip these twice, basting with glaze each time. The final outcome is divine.
How to Make Charred Romaine
Cut the romaine lettuce into quarters, keeping the core intact. In a hot pan, quickly char the outside leaves of the romaine.
Massage the dressing into the romaine before serving.
Chefs Tips
Charring the romaine brings smoke and heat to the salad. I used a hot cast iron pan to char my romaine, the best method is to place the romaine on a grill, the smoke really adds that special element to the salad. Just make sure to grill only once side, grilling just long enough to char but not so long that the romaine loses its crispy texture.
Charred Caesar Salad (vegan)
Servings: 2 People
Calories: 529kcal
To make this Vegan Charred Caesar Salad, it all comes down to finding a combination of brine sea flavors and umami, all highlighted with bright lemon juice and raw garlic.
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Ingredients
Caesar Dressing
- ½ cup cashew blanched and soaked
- ¼ cup olive oil extra virgin
- 1 Tbsp kelp granules
- ½ tsp celery seeds
- 6 oz silken tofu 6 ounces
- 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 2 Tbsp black vinegar
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
Cheesy Fried Capers
- ¼ cup capers dried
- 2 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
Garlic Croutons
- 2 cups sourdough bread cubed
- 2 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 tsp garlic granulated
- 2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- ½ tsp salt kosher
Broiled King Oyster Mushroom
- 1-2 king oyster mushrooms
- 2 Tbsp sweet soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp olive oil extra virgin
- 1 Tbsp black vinegar
- 1 tsp poultry seasoning
- ¼ tsp salt kosher
Chard Romaine
- 2 romaine heads
Instructions
How to Make Vegan Caesar Dressing
- Cook the cashews in boiling water for 3 minutes.
- Allow the cashews to soak in the cooking water for 5 minutes. Drain and rinse the cashews. Set aside.
- Heat a pan over medium heat, and add the extra virgin olive oil. Add the kelp granules and the celery seeds. Allow the kelp granules and the celery seeds to steep for 5 minutes.
- Place the cashews, tofu, Dijon mustard, black vinegar, and soy sauce in a high-speed blender.
- Puree until the mixture is very smooth.
- Add the kelp oil to the blender, and puree until fully emulsified.
- Add the national yeast and lemon juice. Adjust the salt levels.
- Place in the refrigerator.
How to Make Cheesy Fried Capers
- Place the capers on a few paper towels, pressing to remove as much moister as possible.
- Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a pan over medium-high heat.
- When the oil is hot add the capers, cooking until crispy.
- Place the capers immediately into a bowl and add the nutritional yeast, toss to coat.
How to Make Garlic Croutons
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
- Toss the diced bread with extra virgin olive oil, granulated garlic, nutritional yeast, and salt.
- Make sure the bread is evenly coated.
- Cook until a light golden brown and crunchy, roughly 12-15 minutes.
How to Make Broiled King Oyster Mushrooms
- Turn the broiler on.
- Slice the king oyster mushroom in ¼ inch thick slices length-wise.
- Score the mushroom creating a diamond shape.
- In a bowl combine the sweet soy sauce, olive oil, black vinegar, poultry seasoning, and salt. Mix to incorporate.
- Brush the glaze on the king oyster mushroom.
- Place under the broiler for 2 minutes, the glaze should be caramelized.
- Flip the mushrooms, glaze the other side, and broil for 2 more minutes.
- Flip again, glaze the mushroom, and set the mushrooms aside.
How to make Charred Romaine
- Remove the outer leaves.
- Cut the romaine in half length-wise.
- Heat a cast iron over high heat. When the pan is smoking hot place the outside of the romaine down and gently press.
- Cook for about 1 minute. The goal is to char the romaine but maintain the crispy freshness of the lettuce.
How to Plate Grilled Caesar Salad
- I like to smear a healthy amount of dressing on the romaine, working the dressing in-between the layers of leaves.
- Place some dressing on the plate, arrange the romaine on the plate, placing the king oyster mushrooms between the romaine.
- Garnish with the croutons and the cheesy fried capers.
Notes
Nutritional values are an estimate. T
Nutrition
Calories: 529kcal | Carbohydrates: 140g | Protein: 30g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Sodium: 2916mg | Potassium: 249mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 57IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 8mg
