Description
Crispy chickpeas elevate this classic Vegan Caesar Salad to new culinary heights, offering a plant-based twist on the beloved Italian-American favorite. Creamy cashew dressing and crunchy croutons complement the hearty protein, creating a satisfying meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 large head romaine lettuce
- 1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas
- 1/2 cup raw cashews
- 1/2 cup vegan croutons (optional)
Seasoning and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons vegan parmesan (optional)
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon vegan Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- 1 small clove garlic
- Pinch salt
- Salt and pepper to taste
Liquid Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup water (or more for desired consistency)
- 1/4 cup tahini (alternative to cashews)
Instructions
- Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper and heat the oven to 400°F (200°C) for crispy chickpea preparation.
- Thoroughly dry chickpeas using a kitchen towel, ensuring minimal moisture for optimal roasting.
- Season chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, coating evenly.
- Distribute chickpeas across the prepared baking sheet in a single layer for uniform roasting.
- Roast chickpeas for 25-30 minutes, gently agitating the pan midway to promote even browning and achieve a golden, crunchy texture.
- For cashew-based dressing, submerge cashews in water for 4 hours or rapidly soften by boiling for 10 minutes, then drain completely.
- Create the dressing by blending softened cashews (or tahini) with nutritional yeast, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and water until silky smooth.
- Adjust dressing consistency by adding water gradually and taste-test, enhancing with salt and pepper as needed.
- Chop romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces and place in a large serving bowl.
- Generously coat lettuce with the prepared vegan Caesar dressing, ensuring thorough and even distribution.
- Garnish salad with roasted chickpeas, adding optional vegan croutons and parmesan for extra texture and flavor.
- Serve immediately to maintain the crisp chickpeas and fresh lettuce texture.
Notes
- Roast chickpeas until they’re super crispy and golden for maximum crunch and flavor intensity.
- Soak cashews overnight or use quick-boil method to ensure ultra-smooth, creamy dressing consistency.
- Adjust dressing thickness by adding water gradually, creating perfect drizzling texture without compromising taste.
- Layer salad just before serving to prevent lettuce from becoming soggy and maintain optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 330 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg