Vegan Caesar Salad

Caesar salad is beloved all around the world, but its most popular versions have chicken, shrimp or crab in them. We decided to put a twist on the classic to make this delicious salad vegan. We provide a helpful step-by-step recipe for you to make it at home.

Instead of the typical croutons, we will use chickpea croutons, making them suitable for those following gluten-free diets. Chicken is replaced with baked tofu and the dressing we will make ourselves.

• Time 30 Minutos
• Type Mediterranean
• Difficulty Low
• Yield 2

• 1. Chickpea croutons

  Ingredients

  • 1 cup of raw chickpeas (200 g)

  • Juice of half a lemon

  • 1/4 teaspoon of salt

  • 1 teaspoon of garlic powder

  • 1 teaspoon of onion powder

  Leave the chickpeas to soak overnight. Strain and coat with lemon juice, salt and spices mixture. Place on the oven tray, using parchment paper.

  Preheat the oven to 200ºC or 390ºF and bake for 20 minutes. Rotate and bake for 10-15 more minutes.

   

• 2. Tofu

  Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons water

  • 1/2 teaspoon thyme

  • 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika

  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder

  • Pepper to taste

  Preheat the oven to 200ºC or 390º, cut the tofu into blocks and place on the oven tray with parchment paper. Bake for about 15 minutes, turn over and leave for another 15 minutes. Let it cool. 

  For the sauce, just place soy sauce, water, herbs and spices (thyme, paprika, cumin, garlic, onion and pepper) in a bowl, mix and add the tofu. Leave to marinate for about 15 minutes. Sauté for 15 minutes and set aside.   

   

• 3. Vegan Caesar dressing

  Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon of flax or linseed + 3 tablespoons of water

  • 1 clove garlic

  • 2 pickled gherkins

  • 8 tablespoons of vegan parmesan cheese

  • 6 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice

  • 1 tablespoon of soy sauce or tamari

  • 1 tablespoon of Modena vinegar

  • 1 teaspoon of mustard

  • Pepper to taste

  • Salt to taste (optional)

  In a blender, place the flaxseed and the water, blend and set aside for at least 5 minutes (until it has a stickier texture), then add the rest of the ingredients and blend thoroughly.

   

• 4. Vegan Caesar Salad

  Chop the lettuce and put it in a salad bowl. Add the croutons, parmesan cheese, tofu and Caesar sauce. Mix and serve.

  Although this Caesar salad takes a little more time than the traditional one, I promise it's worth the effort.