I’ve a brand new love and respect for cashew cream sauce.
My household of 4 has been vegan for 11 years. Once I first grew to become vegan, I prevented these wealthy sauces as a result of I assumed all fat had been unhealthy.
I’ve discovered my vegan journey to be a studying expertise.
For instance, I discovered from Medical News Today that cashews are healthy in reasonable amounts In actual fact, there are lots of causes to eat cashews.
Sure they make scrumptious creamy sauces, however they’re good for you.
Cashews additionally:
- include heart-healthy fat and plant proteins.
- present antioxidants that assist cut back irritation and defend us from illnesses.
- have been proven to be helpful to coronary heart well being, and assist decrease blood stress, triglycerides and ldl cholesterol.
- enhance artery well being, making them extra versatile and fewer liable to blood clots.
As a result of cashews are additionally low in sugar and wealthy in fiber, they can assist you preserve a wholesome weight. They do that by making an individual really feel full.
Primary Cashew Cream Sauce
Here’s a fundamental cashew cream sauce that may used for a lot of various things.
Substances
- 1 cup cashew’
- ½ cup water
- ¼ tsp salt
Mix until creamy in high-speed blender like Vitamix. (In the event you don’t have a high-speed blender, soak the cashews in water for two hours first). Mix first on low then on excessive for 2-3 minutes till clean and creamy.
You possibly can freeze in ice dice trays or different containers for simply obtainable parts when wanted. You can even retailer in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 1 week.
Listed below are a couple of methods you should use cashew cream sauce:
- Dip: combine your cream sauce with as much as ½ cup water, add recent herbs like dill, parsley, a pinch of lemon zest or lemon juice or different seasonings.
- Salad dressing: Combine a tablespoon or two of the cashew cream with a splash of vinegar and a few herbs.
- Sauce: Toss with pasta for a scrumptious, vegan Alfredo
- Soups: Add cream sauce to pureed soups. It offers soups a wealthy savory high quality.
- Smoothie: Drop a couple of spoonsful of cream right into a smoothie for creamy texture, added protein, and wholesome fats.
- Canned coconut milk alternative: ½ cup cashew cream blended with 1 cup water. (That is good for cream sauce recipes like curry if you wish to keep away from the saturated fat in coconut milk). I exploit this so much.
Gooey Tacky Cauliflower Casserole (serves 10)
It is a household favourite. It’s super-fast to place collectively and pop within the oven. You should use it as a facet dish or throw in meat options for a foremost dish. Be sure you use the tapioca flour as a result of that’s what offers it that gooey consistency.
Substances
- 1 massive head cauliflower, chopped into chew dimension items and positioned in oiled 3-quart casserole
Sauce substances
- 1 cup cashews
- 1 cup veggie broth (1 cup water/½ tsp. “higher than bouillon focus”)
- 2 cup soy milk
- ¼ cup recent squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tbsp. Dijon mustard
- ¼ cup tapioca flour (no substitutes)
- ¼ cup dietary yeast
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- ½ tsp. turmeric
- 1 ¼ tsp. salt
- Mix in high-speed blender till clean. I often begin with the cashews and broth, mixing till clean, then add in the remaining and mix.
2. Pour into saucepan and warmth, stirring usually till the sauce thickens, about 5 minutes.
3. Pour over cauliflower in casserole and stir to coat.
4. Add non-obligatory topping if desired. Cowl with foil and bake at 350 levels for 45 minutes, examine for doneness. Uncover and bake about 10 minutes to brown. Let sit 10 minutes to arrange.
Non-compulsory topping:
- 1 cup crushed corn flakes
- 1-2 tbsp. melted vegan margarine
5. Combine melted margarine with cornflakes and sprinkle on prime. Cowl with foil as above.
I often add meat options to make this an all-in-one meal. I’ve efficiently added Area Roast smoked apple and sage sausages/diced, browned Past Beef, or marinated soy curls. I’m assured that marinated tempeh would even be tasty.
Do what you want! When I’m feeling reckless, I sprinkle on a handful of vegan cheddar and even french-fried onions.
Carolyn Howe and her household of 4 have been vegan since 2011. She is a board member of VCEI and has led cooking lessons at previous VCEI occasions. Ship questions or feedback to veganeasterniowa@gmail.com. Go to the VCEI web site at https://www.veganeasterniowa.org/ or be a part of the group on Fb and Meetup.
