For the Caesar Dressing:
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight, or placed in very hot water for about an hour
- 1/4 cup filtered water
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- Juice of 1 whole lemon (about 2-3 Tbsp.)
- 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 small garlic clove (you can add another if you like it super garlic-y)
- 2 tsp. capers
- 1 tsp. dulse or kelp powder
- 1/2 tsp. fine grain sea salt and pepper, or to taste
For the Nut and Seed ‘Parmesan Cheese’:
- 1/3 cup raw cashews
- 3 Tbsp. pumpkin seeds
- 1 small garlic clove
- 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
- Fine grain sea salt, to taste
For the Salad Base:
- 1 medium bunch lacinato/dinosaur kale, de-stemmed
- 2 small heads, or 1 large head of romaine lettuce
- Soak cashews in a bowl of water overnight, or in hot (near boiling) water for about an hour. Drain and rinse.
- Prepare the dressing: Add the cashews and all other dressing ingredients (except for the salt) into a high-speed blender, and blend on high until the dressing is super smooth. You can add a splash of water if necessary to get it blending. Add a generous amount of sea salt to taste and adjust other seasonings, if desired. Set aside.
- Prepare the ‘Parmesan cheese’: Add cashews, pumpkin seeds, and garlic into a mini food processor and process until finely chopped. Now add in the rest of the ingredients and pulse until the mixture is combined. Sea salt to taste.
- Prepare the lettuce: De-stem the kale and then finely chop the leaves. Wash and dry in a salad spinner. Place into an extra large bowl. Chop up the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces. Rinse and then spin dry. Place into bowl along with the kale.
- Assemble: Add dressing onto lettuce and toss until fully coated. You may have extra dressing, depending on the volume of greens you are using, and how well-dressed you like them. You can store the extra dressing in a sealed container for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
- Season with a pinch of sea salt and mix again. Now sprinkle on the ‘Parmesan cheese.’ Serve immediately.
- Makes 6-8 servings.