Tahini Caesar Salad (Print View)

Crisp romaine and cherry tomatoes with a tangy tahini-lemon dressing and crunchy croutons.

# Components:

→ Salad

01 - 2 large heads romaine lettuce, chopped
02 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
03 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (or vegetarian hard cheese)
04 - 1 cup croutons (store-bought or homemade)

→ Tahini Caesar Dressing

05 - 1/3 cup tahini
06 - 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
07 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
09 - 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce (or vegetarian alternative)
10 - 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
11 - 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
12 - 2 tablespoons water (plus more as needed)
13 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
14 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

# Directions:

01 - In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, minced garlic, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Gradually add water, whisking until the dressing is smooth and pourable. Adjust consistency with more water if needed.
02 - Place chopped romaine, cherry tomatoes, and croutons in a large salad bowl.
03 - Drizzle the tahini Caesar dressing over the salad and toss well to coat all ingredients.
04 - Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese over the top and toss gently to combine.
05 - Serve immediately, garnished with extra croutons and Parmesan if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Once you taste the velvety tahini dressing, you might never look at Caesar the same way again.
  • The contrast of creamy, tangy, and crunchy makes each bite genuinely exciting.
02 -
  • Once, I rushed and didn't dry the romaine well—the dressing clung poorly and the salad tasted soggy.
  • Letting the dressing sit for a few minutes actually deepens the flavor, making it richer and more cohesive.
03 -
  • Whisk the tahini with lemon juice first; it thickens up, making the whole dressing creamier.
  • For maximum crunch, hold back half the croutons and sprinkle them over at the very end.
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