Vegan Caesar Salad

Sometimes I just crave a really creamy caesar salad, but in the back of my mind I think- what's the point? The dressing is packed with unnecessary calories and sodium which bloats me up immediately and the calories equate to having my favorite Shake Shack burger.

This vegan version of a caesar is one of my favorite salads because its simple, nutritious and delicious! The dressing  and the "cheese" are really what make it so amazing because they are both primarily made out of cashews which are filled with nutritious benefits! Cashews are filled unsaturated fatty acids, plant-based protein, dietary fiber and minerals like copper, zinc and magnesium. The nut is about 21 percent protein, 46 percent fat and 25 percent carbohydrates (a portion is indigestible fiber), making it a high-protein and high-(good) fat food to add to your meals!

I have used the versatile dressing as a pasta sauce, dip for baked chicken nuggets and as a veggie dip. 

Best of all? It's guilt-free and takes less than five minutes to make!!

Ingredients:

For the dressing:

• 1/2 cup raw cashews (soaked for 1 hour)

• 1/4 cup water

• 1 garlic clove

• 1/2 lemon's juice

• 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp black pepper

• 1/2 tsp salt

For the cheese:

• 1/3 cup raw cashews (soaked for 1 hour)

• 1 garlic clove

• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

Greens:

• I used butter lettuce, can also use romaine lettuce or kale

• 4 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half

Instructions:

• Blend all dressing ingredients 

• Blend all "cheese" ingredients

• Top your greens with dressing and cheese. Enjoy!