Thursday, April 02, 2009

I Love Joanna Caeser Salad with Tempeh Croutons

Joanna's Caeser Salad with Tempeh Croutons

You don't see a lot of salads on this site, but I do eat them.  You know how it is - they've been a way of life since I was ten and ordering salads at chains with a side of ranch dressing and thinking croutons were great stuff while my sister ordered chicken strips.  
Come late spring and summer, when I shop exclusively for produce at the farmers markets, I find myself making a lot of simple and boring ones at home.  Sorry, it's true.  These days I order salads by default when dining with my office at restaurants with limited options, and while I typically choose to take Portland restaurants up on dishes that don't bore me, I'll give a shout out to the Caeser salad with Tempeh Bacon at Hungry Tiger Too as a salad I dig.

Therefore, when the incredible Joanna Vaught of Yellow Rose Recipes shared her new recipe for Caeser Salad with Tempeh Croutons, I thought, "Hell yes", "I love Joanna" and "I need to buy tempeh"!  It's going to be in her upcoming cookbook sequel, so stay tuned to her website for more on that.  Joanna posts about her cooking projects, life and comical and informative lists of tips featuring smart grocery shopping and seitan troubleshooting.  Her seitanic post includes a recipe for chicken seitan cutlets and if you've ever doubted your seitan making abilities or have yet to make it - read it!  There are only so many food blogs I can handle, and this is one I make sure to follow*.

Tempeh Croutons!!

Leftover Tempeh Croutons on Teese'd Pizza

with cherry tomatoes, kale raab, maittake mushrooms, garlic, kalamata olives and homemade marinara.

Last night I went to Paradox Cafe for a dinner meeting and ordered a hot salad with tofu.  Okay, #2 with tofu, which is really a stir fry with tossed with seasoned potatoes.  Wholesome.

*Disclaimer:  Fine, I'll out myself as being actual friends with Joanna Vaught, on and off the internet. Not to boast too much, but earlier today we exchanged emails about last night's episode of LOST that included multiple exclamation points, questions marks and my repeated love and respect for Mr. Linus and her squealing over the previews for next week.  She rules, and so does the Caeser!  A non-boring salad I'd make again, for sure.

15 comments:

jb said...

Ooh yum, the salad looks delicious, but the pizza looks ever better!

Anonymous said...

Caesar salads are my absolute favorite!!!

Veganissexy said...

I have yet to make a vegan caesar! AAAAh I'm going to find an excuse to whip a lil sumthin sumthin up. Tempeh rocks!

veggievixen said...

tempeh croutons?!?!? fan-freakin-tastic. i love it and i haven't even tasted them!

your food = delicious.

Nicole said...

Mmmmm, tempeh croutons! I bet they are so tasty!

Anonymous said...

Hi there!

I just discovered your AWESOME blog and looove your writing style and creative food ideas! !!! I can't wait to read more about your eats as I'm always lookin' out for new food ideas and inspiration, which I'm definitely getting from your blog! Thanks so much and have a great Friday!!

P.s. If you're at all interested in granola for you or your little girl, I'm hosting a giveaway for Zoe's granola (2 boxes of your choice!!) so please come visit me! http://luckytastebuds.wordpress.com

Carrie™ said...

Great salad! Pizza & tofu stir-fry don't look too shabby either.

Unknown said...

salads with tempeh are a gift from the gods. i'm lazy and just bake it in strips with tamari.

Karla said...

i was flipping through channels on wednesday after leaving jeff's and came across Lost right when linus went on screen. i thought of you and how you were probably squealing and clapping your hands.

nice salad.

p.s. totes hittin' the farmar tomorrow. yay for true spring weather!!

Michelle Anderson said...

that salad looks SO good.
i also just bought some teese for the first time! grilled cheese, here i come.

and haha, i miss that paradox number. i used to get it with tempeh (speaking of the devil), curry style.

love, crocodile

elizabet said...

Um, TEMPEH CROUTONS! Yes! Please!

You are so crafty with the photos... I've been siting next to you several times and missed the covert snapshots until I see the photos on the interwebs.

Jen said...

i had some serious food porn catching up to do here. i can't view pics on your blog at work and had to do it at home. everything looks awesome!

Anonymous said...

So good to hear of quality creamy dressing recipes. I do sometimes miss the ol' Ranch, but I'll have to snag this cookbook to get my fix!

Sindy said...

Excellent! Will take a look at her blog.

Elyse said...

Wow, tempeh croutons sound completely fabulous. I think I would love just snacking on these plain--not to mention adding them to lots of other savory dishes. What a great idea!!