Caesar salad with cashew dressing & tofu "croutons"

Indulge in the classic flavors of Caesar salad with a vegan twist. Creamy cashew dressing coats crisp greens, accompanied by savory tofu "croutons".

Ingredients:

• 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
• ⅛ teaspoon salt
• 1 (14 to 450g) 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
• 8 cups chopped romaine lettuce (9 oz.)
• 1 cup thinly sliced English cucumber
• ½ cup coarsely chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ cup thinly sliced scallions
• 30g shaved Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. For making the dressing: Place cashews in a small bowl and cover them with hot water. Let them soak for at least 30 minutes.
2. Once soaked, drain the cashews and put them in a blender. Add 3 tablespoons of water, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, flaxseed, mustard, anchovy paste, 1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder, and salt. Blend until smooth. Set this mixture aside.
3. While the dressing is resting, prepare the tofu "croutons": Lay out the tofu on a baking sheet with paper towels underneath. Place another pan on top of the tofu, and weigh it down with a heavy can. Let the tofu drain for 15 minutes.
4. In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder. Add the tofu and mix until coated. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes at room temperature or refrigerate for up to 2 hours. Transfer the tofu to a plate, discarding any excess liquid.
5. In a large cast-iron skillet, heat 1 1/2 teaspoons of oil over medium heat until it shimmers. Cook the tofu in two separate batches until it is golden and crispy on all sides, which usually takes 6 to 8 minutes. Once cooked, set the tofu aside to drain.
6. To assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine romaine lettuce, cucumber, parsley, and scallions. Add the prepared dressing and toss everything together. Finally, top the salad with the tofu "croutons" and Parmesan cheese.

Summary:

• Calories: 259 kcal
• Fat: 19 g
• Protein: 9 g
• Carbs: 17 g
• Potassium: 415 mg
• Magnesium: 139 mg