1tspItalian seasoning - or ½ tsp dried parsley and ¼ tsp each dried oregano and basil
½tspflaked sea salt
For the Salad
6oz170 g dried penne or fusilli
1large head romaine lettuce - ripped or chopped
½cup120 ml cashew Caesar dressing, plus more to taste
To Serve
½cup75 g Tofu Bacon Crumbles
Almond Parm
Pepper - to taste
Instructions
For the dressing, soak the cashews in water overnight or in boiling water for 1 hour if you’re pressed for time. Drain the water and add the cashews to a blender, along with the cold water and the rest of the ingredients for the dressing. Blend until smooth, then transfer to a jar and chill in the fridge until you’re ready to use it. You can make the dressing ahead of time and keep it refrigerated for 2 to 3 days.
For the croutons, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Cut the bread into large cubes or rip it into chunks. Add them to a mixing bowl, along with the olive oil, garlic, Italian seasoning, and salt. Toss well so the bread is evenly coated in the seasoning, then spread across a large baking tray and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden and crunchy, flipping the croutons halfway through. Let them cool completely before adding to the salad.
Put the pasta on to cook in a pot of boiling, salted water. Cook to al dente or a little softer, if you prefer, then drain and rinse with cold water, until the pasta is completely cool. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and toss with a little olive oil to keep the noodles from sticking together.
Add the lettuce to the bowl with the pasta, then toss with the dressing, until everything is well coated. Feel free to add more if you like. Add ½ of the croutons and fold into the salad, along with ½ of the Tofu Bacon Crumbles.
If you’re serving the salad in individual bowls, divide the salad and top each bowl with more croutons, Tofu Bacon Crumbles, and Almond Parm. Otherwise, transfer it to a serving bowl and add the rest of the garnishes to the whole salad. Add pepper to finish it off and dig in!
Notes
Reprinted with permission from The Vegan Pasta Cookbook by Rebecca Hincke. Page Street Publishing Co. 2022. Photo credit: Rebecca Hincke.