Cashew cream is a vegan staple, but I'll admit that at first I was hesitant at the idea. How can something made out of blended nuts taste good on, well, everything?! Oh, but it does. Not only does cashew cream lend a thick, creamy texture to a variety of dishes, but it can also be adapted to be sweet or savory. If you haven't played around with this vegan classic, here's a little cashew cream 101. After you've given the recipe below a whirl, give these variations a try!
For Savory:
-Add sun dried tomato and pesto for a tasty dip
-Use it as a sandwich spread in place of mayo
-Add nutritional yeast for a cheesier flavor
-Use it to thicken soups or sauces, like this tomato soup
-Use as a sour cream alternative
-Add oil and vinegar for a creamy salad dressing
For Sweet:
-Drizzle it over berries or throw it into smoothies to thicken them up
-Add cacao nibs for a chocolate-y taste
-Sub maple syrup for agave or pitted medjool dates
-Make a fantastic vegan cheesecake, or how about these carrot cake cupcakes?
YIELDS
1 1/2 cups
PREP TIME
COOK TIME
TOTAL TIME
- FOR SAVORY:
- 1 cup Raw cashews
- 1/2 - 3/4 cup, depending on thickness desired Filtered water
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- FOR SWEET:
- 1 cup Raw cashews
- 1/2 - 3/4 cups Filtered water
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp Maple syrup
- Pinch of sea salt
- FOR SAVORY:
- 1 cup Raw cashews
- 1/2 - 3/4 cup, depending on thickness desired Filtered water
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- FOR SWEET:
- 1 cup Raw cashews
- 1/2 - 3/4 cups Filtered water
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp Maple syrup
- Pinch of sea salt
Directions
The directions for both sweet and savory versions are the same.
Step 1: Place cashews in a bowl or jar and cover with filtered water. You can leave them to soak overnight, or if you’re in a hurry, you can simmer them gently for 20-30 minutes until plump. Cool before use.
Step 2: Place cashews and water into a food processor or high speed blender. Add additional ingredients depending on whether you’ve elected sweet or savory, and blend for 2-3 minutes. You may need to stop and scrape down the sides every so often for complete incorporation. Add more or less water for desired consistency.
Step 3: Enjoy!
Easy Vegan Indian Dal
Photo: Sarah McEwing
