Creamy Vegan Caesar Dressing and Its Variations
Caesar salad is one of those dishes that are loved by many, but often overlooked as being too difficult or time-consuming to make at home. However, with a few simple ingredients and some creativity, you can easily whip up your own delicious vegan version of this classic salad dressing in just minutes!
In this article, we’ll explore the basics of making creamy vegan caesar dressing and then take a look at some fun variations you can try. So grab your blender and let’s get started!
Basic Creamy Vegan Caesar Dressing Recipe
1. Nutritional Yeast Sauce:
– 1 cup water
– 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
– 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
– 1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)
– 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2. Garlic and Lemon Juice Mixture:
– 3 cloves garlic, minced
– 1/4 cup lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)
3. Tahini Dressing:
– 1/4 cup tahini
– 1/4 cup water
– 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
– 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4. Cashew Cream Base:
– 1 cup raw cashews
– 1/4 cup water
– 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
5. Chickpea Brine:
– 1 can chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
6. Optional Garnishes:
– 1 avocado, sliced
– 1/4 cup chopped parsley
– 1/4 cup croutons (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions:
1. To make the nutritional yeast sauce, combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
2. For the garlic and lemon juice mixture, combine the garlic and lemon juice in a small bowl and set aside.
3. To make the tahini dressing, combine all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Set aside.
4. To make the cashew cream base, combine all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend on high until smooth and creamy. Set aside.
5. To make the chickpea brine, simply combine the drained and rinsed chickpeas with the reserved liquid from the can.
6. To assemble the vegan caesar dressing, add the nutritional yeast sauce, garlic and lemon juice mixture, tahini dressing, and cashew cream base to a large mixing bowl. Whisk until well combined.
7. Add the optional garnishes to the bottom of each serving bowl (if desired).
8. Pour the vegan caesar dressing over the top of the garnishes and toss gently to coat.
9. Serve immediately with your favorite vegetables, such as romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, and croutons.
Variation #1: Spicy Roasted Garlic Caesar Dressing
This variation adds a kick of heat and depth of flavor with roasted garlic and jalapeños. It’s perfect for those who love a little spice in their life!
Ingredients:
1. Nutritional Yeast Sauce (see Basic Recipe above)
2. Garlic and Lemon Juice Mixture (see Basic Recipe above)
3. Tahini Dressing (see Basic Recipe above)
4. Cashew Cream Base (see Basic Recipe above)
5. Optional Garnishes:
– 1/4 cup roasted and peeled garlic cloves
– 1/4 cup diced jalapeños (seeded if desired)
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the nutritional yeast sauce, garlic and lemon juice mixture, tahini dressing, and cashew cream base.
2. Add the roasted and peeled garlic, diced jalapeños, and chopped cilantro to the bowl. Stir well to combine.
3. Follow steps 6-9 from the Basic Recipe to assemble and serve.
Variation #2: Creamy Avocado Caesar Dressing
This variation swaps out the cashew cream base for a rich and creamy avocado puree. It’s perfect for those who want a lighter, yet still decadent, version of the classic dressing.
Ingredients:
1. Nutritional Yeast Sauce (see Basic Recipe above)
2. Garlic and Lemon Juice Mixture (see Basic Recipe above)
3. Tahini Dressing (see Basic Recipe above)
4. Cashew Cream Base (see Basic Recipe above, but use 1/2 cup raw cashews instead)
5. Optional Garnishes:
– 1 ripe avocado, sliced
– 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the nutritional yeast sauce, garlic and lemon juice mixture, tahini dressing, and cashew cream base.
2. Mash the avocado in a separate bowl with a fork until it forms a smooth puree.
3. Add the mashed avocado to the mixing bowl with the other ingredients and stir well to combine.
4. Follow steps 6-9 from the Basic Recipe to assemble and serve.
Variation #3: Smoky Bacon Caesar Dressing
This variation adds smoky bacon and crispy croutons for an extra savory twist. It’s perfect for those who love the taste of bacon and want to indulge without adding any animal products.
Ingredients:
1. Nutritional Yeast Sauce (see Basic Recipe above)
2. Garlic and Lemon Juice Mixture (see Basic Recipe above)
3. Tahini Dressing (see Basic Recipe above)
4. Cashew Cream Base (see Basic Recipe above)
5. Optional Garnishes:
– 1/4 cup diced cooked bacon (smoked turkey bacon can also be used)
– 1/4 cup croutons (homemade or store-bought)
Instructions:
1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the nutritional yeast sauce, garlic and lemon juice mixture, tahini dressing, and cashew cream base.
2. Add the diced bacon and croutons to the bowl. Stir well to combine.
3. Follow steps 6-9 from the Basic Recipe to assemble and serve.
Conclusion:
These three variations of creamy vegan caesar dressing are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to experimenting with different flavors and textures. With a little bit of creativity and some basic ingredients, you can create your very own unique vegan caesar dressing that will have everyone asking for seconds!
