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Vegan Cashew "Mac and Cheese"

Next time it'll have roasted broccoli, too.


In an effort to minimize dairy because it makes me itchy, I decided it was time to jump on the cashew sauce bandwagon. I know I like these sauces, but I haven't made them before because I've read that they really require a good high-speed blender. My blending appliances are the food processor, magic bullet, and immersion blender, and I'm not sure any of those would cut it.

After some googling, I found the expensive secret - buy pre-made cashew butter and use that instead. The substitution is to use half the amount of cashew butter that you would have used raw cashews. This recipe used half of a $13 jar, and it made 5-6 servings, which for now is more reasonable than buying a new blender.

The consistency is pretty much like fake nacho cheese except less gross. Specifically, it doesn't congeal or separate into weirdness like fake nacho cheese does. The flavor isn't exactly like cheese, but it's definitely cheesy. The fresh lemon juice is delicious. The kick from the chili powder and pepper are a must.

It would be really good with roasted vegetables in it. This time, I served it alongside a salad with oil and vinegar, and the freshness and crunch were really good contrast to the pasta.

I followed this recipe from Detoxinista exactly, except substituting cashew butter for cashews and using a full clove of garlic. I also omitted the little bit of turmeric because the original recipe said it's really just for color, but maybe I'll toss it in next time.


The Recipe (from Detoxinista):
3/4 c cashew butter
1 large lemon, juiced
3/4 c water
1/4 c nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 clove garlic
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/2 tsp mustard
16 oz whole-wheat pasta
pepper, to taste
sea salt, to taste
paprika for garnish
Optional: roasted vegetables on top

  • Cook pasta according to package
  • Blend all other ingredients except paprika in food processor or blender.
  • Combine pasta with sauce in warm pot and serve immediately with a sprinkling of paprika.

The Verdict:
Overall grade: A-
Overall reason: It doesn't quite fulfill a craving for cheese, but it's delicious and it's packed with protein and fiber. I felt good after eating it.
Time to prepare: 30 minutes
Husband quote: It's really really good. It's not mac and cheese, but it's a good sauce.

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