Caesar Salad Dressing Recipe

Raw cashews: Soaked to create a creamy base for the dressing.

Water: Helps blend the ingredients smoothly.

Lemon juice: Adds a fresh, tangy flavor.

Dijon mustard: Provides a sharp, spicy note.

Nutritional yeast: Imparts a cheesy, umami flavor.

Garlic: Adds a robust, aromatic taste.

Capers: Contributes a salty, briny element.

Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.

Black pepper: Adds a hint of spice and complexity.

To achieve a smoother and creamier texture for your Caesar salad dressing, make sure to blend the soaked cashews thoroughly. If your blender isn't powerful enough, you can soak the cashews for a longer period, up to 4 hours or even overnight. This will ensure they are soft enough to blend seamlessly with the other ingredients, resulting in a velvety dressing.

• raw cashews - Substitute with sunflower seeds: Sunflower seeds provide a similar creamy texture when blended and are a good nut-free alternative.

• water - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth adds extra flavor compared to plain water.

• freshly squeezed lemon juice - Substitute with apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar offers a tangy flavor similar to lemon juice.

• dijon mustard - Substitute with stone-ground mustard: Stone-ground mustard has a similar flavor profile and texture.

• nutritional yeast - Substitute with miso paste: Miso paste provides a savory umami flavor similar to nutritional yeast.

• minced garlic - Substitute with garlic powder: Garlic powder can be used in place of fresh garlic for a similar flavor.

• drained capers - Substitute with green olives: Green olives provide a briny flavor similar to capers.

• salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty and umami flavor, enhancing the overall taste.

• freshly ground black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar spiciness with a slightly different flavor profile.

• To store your Caesar salad dressing, transfer it to an airtight container. A glass jar with a tight-fitting lid works best to maintain freshness.
• Place the container in the refrigerator. The dressing will stay fresh for up to a week, allowing you to enjoy it over multiple meals.
• Before using, give the dressing a good shake or stir. The ingredients may separate over time, but a quick mix will bring it back to its creamy consistency.
• If you wish to freeze the dressing, pour it into a freezer-safe container, leaving some space at the top for expansion. This prevents the container from cracking.
• Label the container with the date to keep track of its freshness. The dressing can be frozen for up to three months.
• To thaw, transfer the container from the freezer to the refrigerator. Allow it to thaw overnight for the best texture.
• Once thawed, give the dressing a thorough stir or blend to restore its smooth and creamy texture. The cashews may cause slight separation, but blending will fix this.
• Avoid refreezing the dressing after it has been thawed. For optimal flavor and texture, use it within a week after thawing.
• For a quick refresh, add a splash of lemon juice or a pinch of salt to brighten the flavors if needed.

• Gently warm the Caesar salad dressing in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring constantly to prevent it from separating. This method ensures the cashew-based dressing retains its creamy texture without overheating.

• Alternatively, use a double boiler by placing the dressing in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water. Stir occasionally until the dressing is warmed through. This indirect heat method helps maintain the integrity of the nutritional yeast and dijon mustard flavors.

• For a quick option, microwave the dressing in a microwave-safe container. Heat in short bursts of 10-15 seconds, stirring in between to ensure even warming. Be cautious not to overheat, as the lemon juice and capers can become too intense.

• If you prefer a room temperature dressing, simply take it out of the fridge and let it sit on the counter for about 30 minutes. This allows the garlic and black pepper flavors to meld beautifully without any heat application.

• Blender: To combine all the ingredients and blend them until smooth and creamy.

• Measuring cups: To measure out the soaked cashews and water accurately.

• Measuring spoons: To measure out the lemon juice, dijon mustard, nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper.

• Knife: To mince the garlic.

• Cutting board: To provide a surface for mincing the garlic.

• Strainer: To drain and rinse the soaked cashews.

• Spatula: To scrape down the sides of the blender to ensure all ingredients are well blended.

• Storage container: To store the dressing in the fridge for up to a week.

Soak cashews overnight: Soak cashews overnight to save time in the morning.

Use a high-speed blender: A high-speed blender ensures a smooth and creamy texture quickly.

Pre-measure ingredients: Measure all ingredients ahead of time to streamline the process.

Double the recipe: Make a double batch and store extra dressing in the fridge for up to a week.

Use bottled lemon juice: Substitute freshly squeezed lemon juice with bottled to save time.