Caesar Salad with Cashew Dressing & Tofu "Croutons"

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In this healthy salad recipe, blended cashews and flaxseed take the place of oil in the dressing, while seasoned tofu works as a lower-carb crouton alternative. Cashews are packed with potassium and iron, but also have more carbs than many other nuts (they have 8 grams per ounce vs. 4 grams for walnuts).

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Prep Time:
1 hrs
Total Time:
1 hrs
Servings:
4
Yield:
4 servings

Ingredients

Dressing

  • ¼ cup raw cashews

  • 3 tablespoons water

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 2 teaspoons flaxseed

  • 1 ½ teaspoons Dijon mustard

  • 1 teaspoon anchovy paste

  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder

  • teaspoon salt

Tofu "Croutons"

  • 1 (14 to 16 ounce) block extra-firm tofu, drained and cut into 3/4-inch cubes

  • ¼ cup lemon juice

  • ¼ cup Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

  • 1 teaspoon onion powder

  • 3 teaspoons olive oil, divided

Salad

  • 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce (9 oz.)

  • 1 cup thinly sliced English cucumber

  • ½ cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley

  • ¼ cup thinly sliced scallions

  • 1 ounce shaved Parmesan cheese

Directions

  1. To prepare dressing: Place cashews in a small bowl and add enough hot water to cover. Soak for at least 30 minutes.

  2. Drain the cashews and transfer to a blender, along with 3 Tbsp. water, 2 Tbsp. lemon juice, flaxseed, mustard, anchovy paste, 1 tsp. Worcestershire, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, and salt; puree. Set aside.

  3. Meanwhile, prepare tofu "croutons": Arrange tofu on a baking sheet between layers of paper towels. Top with another pan, place a heavy can on top and let drain for 15 minutes.

  4. Whisk lemon juice, Worcestershire, garlic powder, and onion powder in a large bowl. Add the tofu and toss to coat. Let stand for 15 minutes or refrigerate for up to 2 hours. Transfer the tofu to a plate, discarding liquid.

  5. Heat 1 1/2 tsp. oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Cook the tofu in two batches until golden and crisp on all sides, 6 to 8 minutes; drain.

  6. To prepare salad: Combine romaine, cucumber, parsley, and scallions in a large bowl. Add the dressing and toss to coat. Top with the tofu "croutons" and Parmesan.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

251 Calories
16g Fat
14g Carbs
16g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Calories 251
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 4g 15%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 16g 32%
Total Fat 16g 20%
Saturated Fat 3g 16%
Cholesterol 7mg 2%
Vitamin A 5768IU 115%
Vitamin C 23mg 26%
Folate 104mcg 26%
Sodium 346mg 15%
Calcium 191mg 15%
Iron 4mg 21%
Magnesium 56mg 13%
Potassium 380mg 8%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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