This Beetroot & Cauliflower Kale Salad with Pesto Dressing is bursting with wonderful flavours.
![Beetroot & Cauliflower Kale Salad with Pesto Dressing [vegan] [gluten free] by The Flexitarian](https://i0.wp.com/theflexitarian.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Beetroot-Cauliflower-Kale-Salad-with-Pesto-Dressing-vegan-gluten-free-by-The-Flexitarian-v83.png?resize=768%2C1152)
Bursting with wonderful flavours, this Beetroot & Cauliflower Kale Salad with Pesto Dressing is the perfect antidote to the grey weather. The seasonal Winter vegetables are tossed in a delicious pesto dressing made with SACLA’ Free From Basil Pesto and topped with crunchy almonds, juicy pomegranate and sweet raisins. So good!
It was only when we lived in Holland that I realised that there was more to pesto than pasta. Our local restaurant in The Hague served it with chicken and omelette. What a revelation! So I started experimenting by adding it to fish, meat, eggs and vegetables.
Since having kids, pesto has become even more of a staple food for us. They love it and so do their friends. It is perfect for playdates or busy weekdays when I need to prepare food in a hurry.
Pesto is so versatile you can add it to pretty much anything from bread, pastry, pizza, sandwiches, pasta, rice, savoury muffins, quiches, beans and pulses. It seems you cannot go wrong. One of my favourites is to toss it as a salad dressing with mushrooms, potatoes, courgettes, aubergines etc..
If you are vegetarian or vegan, classic pesto is unfortunately off-limits as it contains (non-vegetarian) cheese and eggs. Fortunately SACLA’ has released two Free From vegan pestos: No 9 Basil Pesto and No 10 Tomato Pesto. They are also gluten-free and wheat-free.
SACLA’ has replaced the cheese with tofu so this pesto has the texture and taste of regular pesto.
SACLA’ Free From Basil Pesto is very similar in texture to classic pesto. It does taste slightly different as it is not as sharp or cheesy. Once mixed in with other foods you can notice less of a difference though. At 1.2g per 100g, SACLA’ Free From Basil Pesto also has half the amount of salt as the regular SACLA’ Basil Pesto.
SACLA’ Free From Tomato Pesto has also a milder taste than than SACLA’ Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto. While it is not quite as sharp, as with SACLA’ Free From Basil Pesto, you hardly notice the difference when you add it to food. The salt content is similar to Free From Basil Pesto.
They are many ways to enjoy these two vegan pestos with your favourite plant-based food. Let your imagination guide you and add them to stuffed vegetables, vegan burgers, vegan cheese sandwiches, tofu scramble etc.. or simply as a salad dressing like in the recipe below.
SACLA’ Free From Basil Pesto and SACLA’ Free From Tomato Pesto are available from the Free From aisle at most supermarkets or visit www.sacla-shop.co.uk
This recipe was commissioned by SACLA’
![Beetroot & Cauliflower Kale Salad with Pesto Dressing [vegan] [gluten free] by The Flexitarian](https://i0.wp.com/theflexitarian.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Beetroot-Cauliflower-Kale-Salad-with-Pesto-Dressing-vegan-gluten-free-by-The-Flexitarian-v8.jpg?fit=167%2C250&ssl=1)
Beetroot & Cauliflower Kale Salad with Pesto Dressing [vegan] [gluten free]
Equipment
- 2 oven trays
- mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 300 g cauliflower florets
- 300 g beetroot
- 2 handfuls of shredded kale – hard stalks removed
- 400 g drained chickpeas
- 2 Tbsp SACLA’ Free From Basil Pesto
- Juice 1 1/2 to 2 lemons
- 1 garlic clove
- 1/4 pomegranate
- 1/4 red onion
- 1 handful raisins
- 1 generous handful almonds
- olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 200°C / 400°F / 180°C Fan / Gas Mark 6.
- Line two oven trays with baking paper.
- Peel beetroots and cut in 1/2cm [0.2 inches] half moon slices. Cut cauliflower florets into medium size chunks.
- Place beetroot on one oven tray. Place the cauliflower florest on the other. Drizzle both with olive oil.
- Roast the beetroot for 10 mins in the oven. Add the cauliflower and roast all together for another 20-25 mins. Cooking time will vary in function of how big your vegetables are cut, so make sure you check on them.
- In the meantime, prepare dressing by mixing together pesto, crushed garlic clove and lemon juice.
- Slice onion into small squares. Remove seeds from pomegranate and set everything aside.
- When the vegetables are cooked, place them in a salad bowl. Add kale, chcikpeas and toss everything in pesto dressing.
- Top with red onion, pomegranate seeds, raisins and almonds. Toss again and serve straight away.
Nutrition
I cannot wait to see your posts!
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