KALE CAESAR SALAD WITH TOFU CROUTONS & KALAMATA CAESAR DRESSING

Kale Caesar Salad with Tofu Croutons & Kalamata Caesar Dressing image

Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty

Time 35m

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 14-ounce package extra-firm tofu
1/4 cup grapeseed oil (or other high smoke-point oil like vegetable or canola)
1/4 cup corn starch
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
10 kalamata olives (pitted (about 1/3 cup))
3 medium cloves garlic (peeled and roughly chopped)
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon vegetarian Worchestershire sauce
A couple turns of freshly ground black pepper (about 1/8 teaspoon)
1/4 cup olive oil
5-6 cups kale (washed, dried well, and torn into bite-sized pieces)
Lemon wedges and a few shavings of Parmesan cheese (if desired)

Steps:

Make the tofu croutons. Remove the block of tofu from its packaging and drain the water. Press the tofu by laying a half dozen or so paper towels on a dinner plate and placing the tofu on top. Add a couple more paper towels and top with 4 or 5 more dinner plates. Let sit for 20-30 minutes, checking occasionally to move the plates if they're off balance. Or, much easier, use a tofu press!
Set the tofu on a cutting board and cut it into crouton-size pieces, about 3/4-inch big.
Heat the grapeseed oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. On a large plate or in a shallow baking dish, combine the corn starch, garlic powder, and salt with a fork. Working in batches, dredge the tofu in the corn starch mixture, turning to coat evenly. Carefully add tofu to hot oil in skillet. Cook on medium-high for about 10 minutes, turning occasionally to brown most sides. Remove tofu from pan and place on several paper towels, blotting to remove excess oil.
Make the dressing. To a food processor or high-power blender, add the olives, garlic, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, vinegar, Worchestershire sauce, and pepper. Pulse until smooth, about 30 seconds. Drizzle in the olive oil and blend until smooth and creamy, about 15-20 seconds more.
Prepare the salad. Add the kale to a large bowl and drizzle the dressing over the top. Toss well to coat all of the leaves. Top with the tofu croutons and a few shavings of Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve with additional lemon wedges to squeeze over the top.