So you think you don’t like kale??? I’m willing to bet that you just haven’t had it with the right dressing! Kale can be so delicious if you prepare it right – and the key to making a good salad is always the dressing.
I know that many people don’t like making their own salad dressings, and will resort to buying pre-made blends… but I urge you to try making your own! It’s super easy, tastes so much better, and is a much healthier choice as well. If you make a bigger batch you can store it in the fridge to use throughout the week to cut down on meal prep.
Healthy Caesar Salad Dressing
An easy, healthy and delicious caesar salad dressing. Best served with kale, or romaine lettuce (or a mix of both)!
Ingredients
- 1 or 2 cloves crushed garlic
- 4 tbsp avocado oil
- Juice from 2 lemons (about 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice)
- 1 tbsp tahini
- 1 tbsp chosen foods avocado mayo (or veganaise)
- 1/4 tsp dijon mustard
- 4 tbsp nutritional yeast
- salt and pepper
Directions
- Add the lemon juice, tahini, avocado mayo, dijon, and crushed garlic into your food processor, and blend everything together with an immersion blender or food processor.
- Next add salt, pepper, avocado oil, and nutritional yeast. Don’t be shy with the nutritional yeast – this is what gives your dressing that cheese-y flavor!
- Blend all the ingredients until smooth and creamy. Don’t forget to check the taste and see if it needs any extra salt or pepper.
Tahini is a great addition to any salad dressing – it is a good source of healthy fats, as well as calcium, and many other essential vitamins and minerals.
You might be wondering… why is there mayo in this “healthy” salad dressing? Well, this avocado oil mayo is made with pure avocado oil instead of genetically modified, industrial seed oils like soy, corn & canola. It is high in Omega 9, the heart healthy (cardio protective) fat that is also found in olives and olive oil. This is nothing like your average Kraft mayo!
Nutritional yeast is a great source of B vitamins, protein, and zinc. It also helps to enhance digestion, and has antiviral and immune boosting qualities.
Best tips for preparing kale that tastes GOOD:
Wash the kale, and pull the thick stems away to compost. Chop into thin pieces and put in a large bowl. For this recipe I used black kale (or dino kale) but you can use any kind you like.
Chopping the kale in smaller pieces makes it easier to eat, and it will hold more dressing. Drizzle the chopped kale with avocado oil or olive oil, and massage with your hands for 1-2 minutes. This helps to take away any bitterness, and softens the kale so that it’s easier to chew!
Next, add your dressing and toss the salad so that it is evenly distributed.
I like to serve my kale caesar with avocado, and top it with nutritional yeast and more pepper.
It may not be the traditional caesar salad that you’re used to… but I personally think that this recipe is even better. Please be sure to comment below and share this post if you enjoyed this recipe!
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