Caesar Salad Dressing and Signs of Spring

I love Caesar salad. If you have dressing prepared it is one of the easiest salads to put together. Add a protein and it is a complete meal. However, it is very difficult to find a vegan version premade. And honestly, this is so easy to make that there is no real reason to purchase a bottled dressing, plus it keeps quite well in the 'fridge. 

The first time I made this I used the recipe from Veganomicon. While I know there are plenty of you out there who love that recipe as-is, I found it to be rather flat and overwhelming garlicky. So I continued tweaking it until I found the right balance of flavors for me. It might seem like a lot of ingredients, but don't be deterred. It only takes a few minutes to measure and blend everything together. If you have a well-stocked vegetarian pantry you will probably have everything you need on hand.

Everything you need to make this.

Lowfat, High Flavor Vegan Caesar Salad Dressing

Serving Size: 16, 2 tablespoon servings   Preparation Time: 5 minutes

12   ounces tofu, silken lite

2     cloves fresh garlic, peeled (only use 1 clove if your garlic is large)

3     cloves roasted garlic, peeled

2     tbsp extra virgin olive oil

2     tbsp flax oil

1/4 cup lemon juice (approx. the juice from one lemon, to taste)

1     tbsp capers, plus 1 tablespoons brine

1     tsp agave

1     tsp prepared mustard

2     tbsp white wine vinegar

1/4  tsp fresh ground  pepper

2     tbsp nutritional yeast flakes

2     tsp miso, yellow or brown rice

1/4  tsp kelp powder, or dulse flakes (totally optional, provides a touch of fishy flavor a la anchovies. Also a good source of iodine which supports the thyriod, especially for those of us who don't use iodized salt)

1/2  tsp salt, to taste

Put everything into a blender and blend until completely smooth.

Nutrition Facts: 

Per 2 tbsp Serving: 45 Calories; 4g Fat (69.0% calories from fat); 2g Protein; 2g Carbohydrate; trace Dietary Fiber; 0mg Cholesterol; 120mg Sodium.  Exchanges: 0 Grain(Starch); 0 Lean Meat; 0 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates.

Look at how creamy and rich looking (but it's good for you!)

And I just wanted to share this little sign of spring. These lovely little flowers have been springing up all over - "weeds" most noticable in overgrown yards around here. This little lady doesn't care how you classify them, she's too busy enjoying the bounty.