It seems like it was only yesterday that I was sick of lettuce. Oh wait. It WAS only yesterday. But everyday is a new day. Ad today I finally remembered to buy tahini and capers--two key ingredients in Appetite for Reduction's best dressing recipe ever: Caesar Chavez Dressing.
Now I am a lettuce freak. Whereas yesterday I couldn't even eat the serving I had for lunch, I had three huge servings for dinner. And I don't really think the toppers added much to make me go back for more. And more. Today it was the dressing. I'm going to make more tomorrow because I think I'm going to do many different things with it including using it as a dip, a spread and, well, maybe you can give me more ideas.
The recipe is forgiving. In fact I didn't even take out my measuring spoons and I couldn't find any cashews in my pantry (I found almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, pecans, mac nuts and even brazil nuts). I substituted pecans! HA! I have the book that it came from on my iPad but I also found it here at the favorite blog site of mine.
Now I am a lettuce freak. Whereas yesterday I couldn't even eat the serving I had for lunch, I had three huge servings for dinner. And I don't really think the toppers added much to make me go back for more. And more. Today it was the dressing. I'm going to make more tomorrow because I think I'm going to do many different things with it including using it as a dip, a spread and, well, maybe you can give me more ideas.
The recipe is forgiving. In fact I didn't even take out my measuring spoons and I couldn't find any cashews in my pantry (I found almonds, pine nuts, walnuts, pecans, mac nuts and even brazil nuts). I substituted pecans! HA! I have the book that it came from on my iPad but I also found it here at the favorite blog site of mine.
And since I made so many modifications Iʻll just go ahead and post what I did.
Ingredients I used
3-4 garlic cloves
1/4 cup nuts (preferably cashews!)
1/4 cup round onion (I didn't even chop it up. Just cut off a quarter and threw it in the food processor)
2 tablespoons tahini (the brand I bought is actually called TAHINA and I think it's Arabian or something! Much cheaper than Tahini)
2 tablespoons miso
1/3 cup water
1 1/2 lemons, squeezed
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1 tablespoon capers with some of the brine (not too much or it'll be too salty)
black pepper
The original recipe says to blend it for at least 5 minutes and use a rubber spatula to scrape down the sides often. I didn't do this but I might try it the next time...with the cashews. Throw all ingredients in a food processor and blend. Enjoy it on your salad.
Best dressing ever. I am in love with it and never want to try another one again. For a long long time. And now I wish I had more lettuce. A far cry from yesterday.
Isn't this dressing awesome! You definitely have to try it with cashews, and try it with shallots instead of the garlic and onion, I think it's about 2 Tbsp. chopped shallot (but I always throw in a little extra cause shallots are yummy!)
ReplyDeleteI never ever buy shallots but now I will since you recommend it. I can't imagine it getting any better but if it can, then I'm all for it! I want to make a VAT of the dressing.
ReplyDeleteI am so intrigued. I bought everything for this (except the shallots - shall see what I can do) and will try to make it tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteam -meh- about lettuce, but the dressing sounds sooo good. will try!! and i think i have some tahini in the way back of the refrig encased in the slab of ice back there. may have to defrost the refrig to make the dressing.
ReplyDelete