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- Makes 1 Cup
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You can make this creamy, delicious (and very authentic-tasting) Caesar dressing as is, or add nutritional yeast for a cheesy twist. You can also reduce the milk and use it as a dip or sandwich spread.
By Dreena Burton,
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup raw cashews, soaked for 3-4 hours in advance and then drained
- 1−2 tablespoons nutritional yeast (optional)
- 1 teaspoon whole chia seeds
- scant ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon kelp granules (see notes)
- ½ teaspoon capers
- 1 medium clove garlic, chopped
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- ⅓−½ cup unsweetened, unflavored plant milk (plus extra to thin)
- 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1½ teaspoons pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Combine the cashews, 1 tablespoon of the nutritional yeast (if using), the chia, salt, kelp granules, capers, garlic, pepper, milk, lemon juice, and maple syrup in a blender, and purée until very smooth. Add more nutritional yeast for a cheesier flavor if you like, and add extra salt, pepper and/or garlic if desired.
- Serve tossed into romaine lettuce, along with your choice of croutons, if desired.
- Refrigerate for up to 4 days. This oil-free dressing will thicken after refrigeration. You can thin it by stirring in 2 to 3 teaspoons of plant milk or water, if desired.
Notes:
Kelp: If you have trouble finding kelp granules, the dressing is still delicious without them!
Milk: I prefer unsweetened, unflavored almond milk or soy milk in this recipe, but you can choose another plant milk if you prefer.
Comments (4)
(5 from 4 votes)Agree that maple syrup is unnecessary. Followed the recipe otherwise, used 1 Tbsp nooch. Delicious!
This is far more delicious than expected. And I did not use capers, kelp granules or the maple syrup. This will become a regular at our house.
It's a keeper. My husband and I loved it but I made a few tweaks: 3/8 teaspoon regular iodized (not sea) salt, I didn't have kelp so I used spirulina, and 1/2 teaspoon (not 1 -1/2 tsp) maple syrup, but I will omit maple syrup next time. My husband is a hot dog loving carnivore. I've made many salad dressings including with oil, yet he said this is the best salad dressing I've ever made
This is a terrific oil-free dressing. I didn't include the kelp granules. I did add the nutritional yeast. Although I added the maple syrup, I don't think it's necessary to add sweetness. After tasting, I decided to add a little more lemon juice to zing it up. Looking forward to seeing how it thickens the next day. I can definitely see how it can be used as a dip for vegetables too. Thank you!!