Kale Caesar Salad With Smoked Chickpea Croutons Recipes

Steps:

• For the Caesar dressing: Bring an inch of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Place the florets in a steamer basket set over the boiling water. Cover and steam for about 5 to 7 minutes, until they're easily pierced with a fork.
• In a high-powdered blender, combine the cooked cauliflower with the Parmesan, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, mustard, salt and pepper. Blend on high speed for 2 minutes, until the dressing is completely smooth and combined. If needed, add water, about 2 to 3 tablespoons at a time, until the dressing is pourable. The dressing will be warm because of the steamed cauliflower. Transfer the dressing to an airtight container and refrigerate for an hour.
• While the dressing is chilling, make the croutons: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas with the olive oil, garlic powder, smoked paprika and salt. Toss until coated. Spread the chickpeas out on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes until they are golden brown and crispy. Check on the chickpeas after 10 minutes and shake the pan to toss or stir to ensure even cooking.
• For the salad: Place the chopped kale in a large bowl. Drizzle with the Caesar dressing and toss until the kale leaves are completely coated. Top with the chickpea croutons and shaved Parmesan. Enjoy immediately.

Steps:

• For the onions: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Bring the vinegar, sugar and salt to a simmer in a small saucepan over medium-high heat to dissolve the sugar. Place the onions in a small bowl and pour the hot mixture over them. Toss well to coat. Allow to cool to room temperature for 1 hour before using.
• For the chickpeas: Meanwhile, toss the chickpeas with the olive oil, lemon zest, zaatar and salt. Spread on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until golden and crisp, about 30 minutes. Drain well on paper towels.
• For the salad: Place the Tuscan kale in a large bowl. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and massage the salt into the kale. Add the olive oil, vinegar and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Add 1/2 cup of the onions without their liquid, all of the chickpeas, feta and zaatar. Toss to combine and serve.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. On a medium baking sheet, toss the bread with 2 tablespoons olive oil; season generously with salt and pepper. On a second baking sheet, toss the chickpeas with remaining 2 tablespoons oil; season generously with salt and pepper. Bake both until chickpeas and croutons are browned and crisp, stirring both halfway through, about 10 minutes for the croutons and 20 minutes for the chickpeas. Set aside.
• While the chickpeas and croutons roast, prepare your dressing: To a high-speed blender, add all the dressing ingredients, plus 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 3/4 cup water; blend until completely smooth, 3 to 4 minutes, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula every now and again. Set dressing aside. (You should have 1 1/2 cups).
• In a large bowl, add the kale and the dressing. Using your hands, massage the kale until slightly softened. Add the lettuce, croutons and half the roasted chickpeas; toss to coat and season to taste with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with additional nutritional yeast. Top with remaining roasted chickpeas; grind black pepper over, and serve immediately.