Tofu Caesar Salad Recipe
Chopped cos lettuce, caesar dressing, ciabatta croutons, parmesan, chive.
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Ingredients
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Salad
Caesar dressing
Ciabatta croutons
Tofu sear (for texture and flavor)
Method
Ciabatta croutons
Prepare and toast croutons
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Toss the ciabatta cubes with 2 tbs olive oil, 1/2 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp salt until evenly coated. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake 10–12 minutes, stirring once halfway, until golden and crisp. Remove and let cool; croutons will crisp further as they cool.
Tofu sear (for texture and flavor)
Press and cut tofu
Drain the 14 oz block of firm tofu and press it for 15–20 minutes between paper towels or a clean kitchen towel with a weighted plate on top to remove excess moisture. Cut into 1/2-inch cubes or bite-sized pieces.
Season and coat tofu
Gently toss the tofu pieces with 1 tbs soy sauce, 1 tsp sesame or neutral oil and 1 tsp cornstarch until evenly coated. The cornstarch helps develop a light crust when seared.
Sear tofu
Heat a nonstick or stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat. Add a thin film of oil if needed. Add the tofu in a single layer and sear without moving for 2–3 minutes per side, turning to get even golden-brown edges all around (about 6–8 minutes total). Remove from pan and set aside to cool slightly.
Caesar dressing
Make the dressing
In a small bowl whisk together 1 tbs mayonnaise, 3 tbs Greek yogurt, 1 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 tsp anchovy paste (optional), 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tbs fresh lemon juice. While whisking, slowly stream in 2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil to emulsify. Season with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Taste and adjust: add more lemon for brightness, more anchovy paste for savoriness, or a splash of water to thin if needed.
Salad assembly
Chop and chill lettuce
Wash and thoroughly dry the cos (Romaine) lettuce. Chop into bite-sized pieces and transfer to a large salad bowl. Chill briefly if desired for crispness.
Combine salad
Add the seared tofu pieces to the bowl with the chopped lettuce. Add about 3/4 of the grated parmesan and roughly half of the croutons. Drizzle 3–4 tbs of the Caesar dressing over the greens and gently toss to coat everything evenly. Add more dressing to taste. Season lightly with additional salt and pepper if needed.