Cashew Cheese Spread

Cashew Cheese Spread

I love easy recipes that seem more difficult while offering “wow” flavor!  This delightfully versatile, make-ahead spread delivers. It can serve as a stand-alone appetizer with veggies or crackers, as a component of an appetizer, or as a condiment such as a sandwich spread.

Try a dollop on cucumber discs garnished with fresh herbs, or spread it onto grilled zucchini strips to create zucchini rolls. Or, create delicious tea sandwiches by pairing one of the flavor variations with a cucumber slice, fresh watercress, and/or smoked salmon.

Plan Ahead: The raw cashews require 8 – 24 hours of soaking prior to use in this recipe.

Makes: approximately 1 ½ cups spread

INGREDIENTS

1 cup raw cashews, pre-soaked (see step 1)
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons water (+ up to 2 additional tablespoons, if necessary)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt

DIRECTIONS

1. Place the raw cashews into a small mixing bowl and cover with cold water. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it into the refrigerator to soak for 8 – 24 hours.
2. Drain the cashews thoroughly and place them into the bowl of a food processor. Add the nutritional yeast, red wine vinegar, garlic powder, dry mustard, and white pepper.  Process until very smooth and creamy – stopping occasionally to scrape down the side of the bowl.
3. Add the lemon juice, water, olive oil, and salt. Process further to fully incorporate and until smooth and creamy. NOTE: If making any flavor variations below, add the additional ingredients at this point.
4. Once fully combine and smooth, transfer spread to a covered container. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably 2 – 4, to allow flavors to blend and further develop.
5. To serve, transfer spread to the desired serving dish and offer fresh vegetables, crackers, or bread alongside.

FLAVOR VARIATIONS

• Roasted Red Pepper – add 2 chopped, roasted red peppers (fresh or from a jar) + 1/4 teaspoon smoked or sweet paprika.
• Harissa-Roasted Red Pepper – add 1 roasted red pepper + 1/2 – 1 teaspoon harissa (hot or mild; no added sugar variety)
• Dill – add 1/4 cup fresh dill or 1 – 2 teaspoons dried
• Southwestern – add 1 – 2 teaspoons of dried Southwestern seasoning blend
• Herb – add 1/4 cup fresh herbs (single or combination) or 1 – 2 teaspoons dried herbs
• Zataar – add 1 1/2 teaspoons of zaatar seasoning

© 2018 Susan Denzer, Love + Craft Kitchen, LLC, All Rights Reserved

Main Photo by Nutritionstripped.com