Tantalize your taste buds with a culinary journey into the realm of flavors with our Kale Caesar Salad with Tofu Croutons and Kalamata Caesar Dressing. This vibrant and nutritious salad is a symphony of textures and flavors that will leave you craving more. Indulge in the crispiness of the kale, the savory crunch of the tofu croutons, and the tangy creaminess of the Kalamata Caesar dressing. This recipe is not only a delight to the palate but also a testament to the versatility of plant-based ingredients. With clear instructions and a comprehensive ingredient list, this article will guide you through the process of crafting this delectable dish. Discover the art of transforming simple ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.
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KALE CAESAR SALAD WITH TOFU CROUTONS & KALAMATA CAESAR DRESSING
This 100% vegetarian Caesar salad gets its incredible flavor from its pretty purple kalamata olive dressing. And move over, bread ... tofu croutons are in town, and they're freakin' delicious.
Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty
Time 35m
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Make the tofu croutons. Remove the block of tofu from its packaging and drain the water. Press the tofu by laying a half dozen or so paper towels on a dinner plate and placing the tofu on top. Add a couple more paper towels and top with 4 or 5 more dinner plates. Let sit for 20-30 minutes, checking occasionally to move the plates if they're off balance. Or, much easier, use a tofu press!
- Set the tofu on a cutting board and cut it into crouton-size pieces, about 3/4-inch big.
- Heat the grapeseed oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. On a large plate or in a shallow baking dish, combine the corn starch, garlic powder, and salt with a fork. Working in batches, dredge the tofu in the corn starch mixture, turning to coat evenly. Carefully add tofu to hot oil in skillet. Cook on medium-high for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally to brown most sides. Remove tofu from pan and place on several paper towels, blotting to remove excess oil.
- Make the dressing. To a food processor or high-power blender, add the olives, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, vinegar, Worchestershire sauce, and pepper. Pulse until smooth, about 30 seconds. Drizzle in the olive oil and blend until smooth and creamy, about 15-20 seconds more.
- Prepare the salad. Add the kale to a large bowl and drizzle the dressing over the top. Toss well to coat all of the leaves. Top with the tofu croutons and a few shavings of Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve with additional lemon wedges to squeeze over the top.
KALE CAESAR SALAD
Steps:
- Coat a large saute pan with olive oil. Toss in half the garlic and the crushed red pepper and bring the pan to medium heat. Cook the garlic until it becomes golden and very aromatic, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the garlic and ditch it-it has fulfilled its garlic destiny. Toss in the bread cubes and cook, stirring frequently, until they are golden, crisp, and have absorbed all the oil, like little olive oil sponges. Remove from the heat and reserve.
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine the Parmigiano, lemon zest and juice, the remaining garlic, the Dijon, anchovies, and Worcestershire. Puree until the mixture is smooth, 15 to 20 seconds. With the machine running, add 1/4 to 1/3 cup olive oil through the feed tube. Let the processor continue to run for another 10 to 15 seconds. Taste and season with salt if needed.
- In a large bowl, toss the kale with the croutons and two-thirds of the dressing. Let the kale sit for 3 to 4 minutes to soften. Taste, add the remaining dressing, and adjust the seasoning if needed.
KALE CAESAR SALAD
Traditional Caesar salad that uses kale instead of romaine! Makes 4 side-dish portions, but you can make it a main dish meal by topping it with a grilled protein, such as chicken or salmon! You may have leftover dressing, depending on how much you like. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Provided by Kim's Cooking Now
Categories Salad Green Salad Recipes Kale Salad Recipes
Time 15m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic, anchovies, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl and stir in grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Set aside.
- Place kale in a large salad bowl. Using your hands, massage the kale to soften slightly. Add a few dollops of the dressing on top of the kale, and stir until all pieces are lightly coated with the dressing. Sprinkle with croutons and top with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 336.2 calories, Carbohydrate 21.1 g, Cholesterol 16.5 mg, Fat 25.7 g, Fiber 2.3 g, Protein 8 g, SaturatedFat 4.3 g, Sodium 790.5 mg, Sugar 2 g
Tips:
- Use fresh kale: Fresh kale is essential for a crisp and flavorful salad. If you can't find kale, you can substitute another leafy green, such as spinach or romaine lettuce.
- Massage the kale: Massaging the kale with a little bit of dressing helps to break down the tough fibers and make it more tender.
- Use a flavorful dressing: The dressing is what really makes this salad special. Be sure to use a dressing that you love, or experiment with different dressings until you find one that you like.
- Add some crunch: The tofu croutons and Kalamata olives add a nice crunch to the salad. You can also add other crunchy toppings, such as nuts, seeds, or roasted chickpeas.
- Serve immediately: This salad is best served immediately after it is made. The kale will start to wilt if it sits for too long.
Conclusion:
This kale Caesar salad with tofu croutons and Kalamata Caesar dressing is a delicious and healthy salad that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. It is packed with nutrients, and the flavorful dressing makes it a real treat. Whether you are a vegan or vegetarian, or simply looking for a new and exciting salad recipe, this kale Caesar salad is sure to please.
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