This wintery twist on Caesar salad upholds the beloved creamy, crunchy and punchy characteristics while opting for a new set of greens — and a flavorful vegetarian alternative to anchovies Tahini acts as both the thickening agent for the dressing, binding it together, and the flavor maker: Its sesame seed nuttiness and creamy texture balance the bitter undertones of the roasted brussels sprouts, which form the base of this salad Quartering the sprouts decreases the cooking time and their size, so you can eat them by the forkful.