Vegan Caesar Salad
Vegan Caesar Salad is a vibrant, creamy and crunchy plant-based salad made with crisp romaine lettuce, dairy-free Caesar dressing, golden croutons, smoky almond bacon and juicy pomegranate seeds. It is fresh, flavourful and perfect for lunch, dinner or as a colourful side dish.
Equipment
- 1 Small mixing bowls
- 1 Sharp Chef’s Knife
- 1 Baking Paper
- 1 Small frying pan
- 1 Baking Tray –
- 1 High-speed blender
- 1 Wooden Spoon or Spatula
- 1 Large Salad Bowl or Serving Platter –
Ingredients
For The Salad
- 3 baby cos or romaine lettuces
- 3 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
- For The Vegan Caesar Dressing
- 68 g raw cashews
- 1½ heads of garlic
- 1½ teaspoons olive oil - extra virgin
- 2¼ teaspoons wholegrain mustard
- 1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1½ tablespoons capers
- 1½ tablespoons caper brine
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 180 ml unsweetened plant milk
- A generous pinch of dried thyme
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt - plus more to taste
- ¾ teaspoon maple syrup or sugar
- Freshly ground black pepper - to taste
For The Almond Bacon
- ¾ teaspoon tomato concentrate
- 1½ teaspoons olive oil
- 2¼ teaspoons maple syrup or sugar
- 45 ml soy sauce or tamari
- ⅜ teaspoon liquid smoke
- 68 g almond flakes
For The Croutons
- 3 slices stale sourdough
- 1½ tablespoons olive oil
- Fine sea salt - to taste
Instructions
Step 1: Soak The Cashews
- Place the raw cashews in a small bowl and cover with boiling water.
- Soak for at least 20 minutes.
- Drain thoroughly before blending.
- If using sunflower seeds, soak them in the same way. Silken tofu does not require soaking.
Step 2: Roast The Garlic
- Preheat the oven to 200°C / 180°C fan / 390°F.
- Slice the tops from the garlic heads to expose the cloves.
- Drizzle with the olive oil and wrap securely in foil.
- Place on a baking tray and roast for approximately 40 minutes, or until completely soft.
- Allow to cool slightly, then squeeze the roasted cloves from their skins.
Step 3: Prepare The Croutons
- Cut the sourdough into small, bite-sized pieces.
- Heat the olive oil in a small frying pan over medium heat.
- Add the bread and fry for 5–7 minutes, turning frequently until golden and crisp.
- Season with a little sea salt and set aside to cool.
Step 4: Make The Almond Bacon
- Reduce the oven to 120°C / 100°C fan / 250°F.
- Line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Mix the tomato concentrate, olive oil, maple syrup, soy sauce and liquid smoke in a bowl.
- Add the almond flakes and toss until evenly coated.
- Spread them across the prepared tray.
- Bake for 20–30 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- Allow to cool completely so the almond bacon becomes crisp.
Step 5: Blend The Vegan Caesar Dressing
- Add the roasted garlic and drained cashews to a high-speed blender.
- Add the mustard, lemon juice, capers, caper brine, nutritional yeast, plant milk, thyme, salt, maple syrup and black pepper.
- Blend on high until completely smooth and creamy.
- Scrape down the sides if necessary and blend again.
- Taste and adjust the lemon juice, salt or pepper as needed.
Step 6: Prepare The Lettuce
- Remove any damaged leaves from the lettuce.
- Separate, rinse and drain the leaves thoroughly.
- Dry them completely using a salad spinner or clean kitchen towel.
- Tear larger leaves into manageable pieces.
Step 7: Assemble The Salad
- Place the lettuce in a large salad bowl.
- Pour over enough Vegan Caesar Dressing to lightly coat the leaves.
- Toss gently with salad tongs.
- Transfer to a serving platter.
- Scatter the almond bacon and croutons over the top.
- Finish with the pomegranate seeds.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- 🥬 Use Fresh Lettuce: Choose crisp romaine or baby cos lettuce and dry it thoroughly before adding the dressing for the best crunch.
- 🧄 Roast The Garlic Well: Roast the garlic until soft and golden to give the Caesar dressing a mellow, naturally sweet flavour.
- 🥜 Soak The Cashews: Soaking the cashews helps create a smooth, creamy, and luxurious dairy-free dressing.
- 🍋 Balance The Dressing: Taste the dressing before serving and adjust the lemon juice, capers, maple syrup, salt and black pepper to suit your preference.
- 🥖 Keep Croutons Crisp: Prepare the croutons separately and add them just before serving to prevent them from becoming soggy.
- 🥜 Cool the Almond Bacon: Allow the smoky almond flakes to cool completely after baking so they become crisp and crunchy.
- 🥗 Dress Just Before Serving: Toss the lettuce with the Vegan Caesar dressing shortly before eating to maintain its fresh texture.
- ❤️ Serve Fresh: For the most vibrant flavour and texture, assemble the Vegan Caesar Salad immediately before serving.