Vegan Ranch Salad with BBQ Roasted Cauliflower
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
This recipe is reprinted with permission from Vegan Buddha Bowls by Cara Carin Cifelli, Page Street Publishing Co. 2019.
Author:
Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: American
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
Dairy-Free Sunflower Ranch Dressing
  • 1 cup (145 g) raw sunflower seeds, soaked with very hot water for 15 minutes (see Note)
  • 1 cup (240 ml) unsweetened almond milk
  • 3 tbsp (45 ml) fresh lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) apple cider vinegar
  • 1⁄4 cup (60 ml) avocado or grapeseed oil
  • 2 tablespoons (6 g) tightly packed minced fresh dill
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
BBQ Cauliflower
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) avocado oil
  • 6 heaping cups (600 g) bite-sized cauliflower florets
  • 3⁄4 cup (188 g) barbecue sauce, divided
Salad
  • 1 cup (180 g) diced tomato 1 cup (150 g) corn kernels
  • 1 (15-oz [425-g]) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons (5 g) chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons (6 g) garlic powder
  • 8 to 10 cups (440 to 550 g) chopped romaine lettuce
  • 1 to 2 ripe avocados, diced
  • 1⁄2 cup (80 g) thinly sliced red onion
  • 1⁄2 cup (21 g) tightly packed chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
  1. Make the dressing: Rinse and drain the sunflower seeds and place them in a high-speed blender along with the almond milk, lemon juice, garlic, onion powder and vinegar. Blend on high speed for 1 to 2 minutes, or until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides or use the tamper to help, if needed. While the motor is running, slowly add the avocado oil through the center of the lid until emulsified. Transfer to a bowl, add the dill and mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  2. Make the cauliflower: Preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C). Coat a baking sheet with the avocado oil. Add the cauliflower and 1⁄2 cup (125 g) of the barbecue sauce to the prepared pan. Using your hands or a spatula, mix well to evenly coat the florets with the sauce. Roast in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, stopping to toss halfway through. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes, then add the remaining 1⁄4 cup (63 g) of barbecue sauce, toss to coat.
  3. Make the salad: In a small bowl, combine the tomato, corn, black beans, cumin, chili powder and garlic powder and mix well.
  4. In a large bowl, combine the chopped romaine and 1⁄2 to 3⁄4 cup (120 to 175 ml) of the dressing. Mix well to evenly coat and then add more dressing, if desired. You will likely have some dressing left over. Divide up the salad greens equally among 4 serving bowls and top each bowl equally with the tomato mixture. Top each bowl with avocado, cauliflower, red onion and fresh cilantro. Serve immediately.
Notes
Make Ahead: mix everything together as directed, except the dressing and avocado, which should be added just before serving. Store the salad in individual servings or 1 large airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

No High-Speed Blender: If you do not have a high-speed blender, soak your sunflower seeds for up to an hour or overnight, to protect your blender.
Recipe by Go Dairy Free at https://www.godairyfree.org/recipes/vegan-ranch-salad