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| Cashews |
Cashews are a delicious and versatile nut that have been enjoyed for centuries. Originally grown in Brazil, the cashew tree was later introduced to other parts of the world by Portuguese traders in the 16th century. Today, cashews are widely grown in tropical regions such as India, Vietnam, and Nigeria, and are a popular ingredient in cuisines around the globe.
While many people enjoy cashews as a snack or in trail mix, they can also be used to elevate your cooking in a variety of ways. From creamy vegan sauces to crunchy coatings for chicken, cashews can add richness and depth of flavor to any dish. In this post, we'll explore five creative recipes that showcase the versatility of cashews and offer a new perspective on this beloved nut.
Indulgent, creamy, and comforting - that's what most of us think of when we imagine a delicious bowl of alfredo pasta. But what if we told you that you could enjoy this decadent dish without any of the guilt or discomfort that often comes with heavy cream-based sauces? That's where our vegan cashew alfredo sauce comes in. Made with soaked cashews, garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and a blend of spices, this sauce is the perfect way to elevate your pasta game while also keeping things plant-based and healthy. It's a win-win situation that will leave you feeling satisfied and nourished.
Vegan Cashew Alfredo Sauce Recipe
Ingredients:
1 cup raw cashews, soaked in water for at least 4 hours (or overnight)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other non-dairy milk)
1/4 cup vegetable broth
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
Instructions:
Drain and rinse the soaked cashews and add them to a high-speed blender.
Add the minced garlic, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, sea salt, black pepper, and ground nutmeg to the blender.
Pour in the almond milk and vegetable broth and blend everything together until smooth and creamy.
If the sauce is too thick, you can add more almond milk or vegetable broth to thin it out to your desired consistency.
Transfer the sauce to a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until warmed through.
Once heated, remove from the heat and serve over your favorite pasta. Top with chopped fresh parsley for a pop of color and flavor.
Enjoy your vegan cashew alfredo sauce! It can also be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
When it comes to chicken, we're always looking for ways to mix things up and add some excitement to our dinner routine. That's why we're excited to share our recipe for cashew-crusted chicken - a dish that is both crispy and juicy, with a nutty flavor that will make your taste buds dance. By coating chicken breasts in a blend of crunchy panko breadcrumbs and ground cashews, this recipe transforms a classic protein into a sophisticated and delicious meal. It's perfect for impressing dinner guests, or for treating yourself to a little indulgence on a weeknight.
Cashew Crusted Chicken Recipe
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup raw cashews
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 eggs, whisked
2 tbsp olive oil
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Add the cashews to a food processor and pulse until they are finely ground.
In a separate bowl, combine the ground cashews with the panko breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper.
Dip each chicken breast in the whisked eggs, then coat in the cashew mixture, pressing gently to ensure the coating sticks.
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until golden brown.
Transfer the chicken breasts to the prepared baking sheet and bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C).
Once cooked, remove from the oven and let rest for a few minutes before slicing and serving.
Enjoy your cashew crusted chicken with your favorite side dishes.
If you love pesto, you're going to want to try our cashew and spinach pesto recipe. This fresh and flavorful version swaps out traditional pine nuts for cashews, creating a nutty and creamy sauce that pairs perfectly with pasta, chicken, or roasted vegetables. We've also added a healthy dose of spinach to the recipe, giving the sauce a vibrant green color and a boost of nutrition. Whip up a batch of this cashew and spinach pesto to impress your dinner guests or to add some excitement to your weeknight meals.
Cashew and Spinach Pesto Recipe
Ingredients:
2 cups fresh spinach leaves
1/2 cup raw cashews
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
Instructions:
Add the spinach leaves, raw cashews, grated parmesan cheese, and chopped garlic to a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped.
With the food processor running, drizzle in the olive oil and lemon juice until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Add the sea salt and black pepper and pulse a few times to combine.
Taste the pesto and adjust the seasoning if necessary.
Transfer the pesto to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate until ready to use.
To serve, cook your favorite pasta according to the package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
Drain the pasta and return it to the pot. Add the desired amount of cashew and spinach pesto to the pot and toss to coat, adding reserved pasta water as necessary to thin out the sauce to your desired consistency.
Serve hot with additional parmesan cheese and fresh black pepper on top.
Enjoy your cashew and spinach pesto pasta!
Stir-fry is a great option for a quick and healthy dinner, but sometimes the sauces can be a bit lackluster. That's why we've come up with a cashew butter stir-fry sauce that is nutty, savory, and full of flavor. Made with creamy cashew butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and garlic, this sauce is the perfect addition to any stir-fry dish. The nuttiness of the cashews and the tanginess of the vinegar combine to create a sauce that is both rich and refreshing, elevating your stir-fry game to the next level. Try this cashew butter stir-fry sauce with your favorite vegetables and protein for a healthy and satisfying meal.
Cashew Butter Stir Fry Sauce Recipe
Ingredients:
1/4 cup cashew butter
3 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
1/4 cup water
Instructions:
In a small bowl, whisk together the cashew butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes (if using).
Slowly pour in the water, whisking continuously, until the sauce is smooth and well combined.
Set the sauce aside until you're ready to use it in your stir-fry dish.
Heat a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add your choice of vegetables and protein and cook until they are tender and slightly charred.
Pour the cashew butter stir-fry sauce over the cooked vegetables and protein and stir to coat everything in the sauce.
Cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly and everything is heated through.
Serve hot with rice or noodles.
Enjoy your cashew butter stir-fry sauce!
When it comes to snacking, it can be easy to reach for processed treats that leave us feeling less than nourished. That's why we've created a recipe for cashew and date energy bites, a healthy and delicious snack that will keep you energized and satisfied throughout the day. Made with just a few simple ingredients, including dates, cashews, and some spices, these energy bites are packed with fiber, healthy fats, and natural sugars that will give you a boost of energy without the crash that often comes with sugary snacks. Whip up a batch of these cashew and date energy bites to keep on hand for a quick and easy snack that is as tasty as it is healthy.
Ingredients:
1 cup pitted dates
1/2 cup raw cashews
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp water
Instructions:
Add the pitted dates, raw cashews, sea salt, ground cinnamon, and vanilla extract to a food processor. Pulse until the mixture is finely chopped.
With the food processor running, slowly drizzle in the water until the mixture comes together in a ball.
Use a cookie scoop or tablespoon to scoop out the mixture and roll it into bite-sized balls.
Place the cashew and date energy bites on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Refrigerate the energy bites for at least 30 minutes to allow them to firm up.
Once chilled, transfer the energy bites to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
Enjoy your cashew and date energy bites as a healthy snack on the go!
Cashews are a versatile and nutritious ingredient that can be used to elevate your cooking in a variety of ways. From creamy vegan sauces to crunchy coatings for chicken, cashews can add richness and depth of flavor to any dish. Our five creative recipes showcase the versatility of cashews and offer a new perspective on this beloved nut.
With our vegan cashew alfredo sauce, you can enjoy the indulgence of a creamy pasta sauce without any of the guilt. Our cashew-crusted chicken is a crispy and juicy take on a classic protein. The cashew and spinach pesto is a fresh and flavorful version of a beloved sauce, perfect for pairing with pasta or roasted vegetables. Our cashew butter stir-fry sauce is a nutty and savory option that can liven up any stir-fry dish. And finally, our cashew and date energy bites provide a healthy and delicious snack that will keep you energized throughout the day.
Whether you're a fan of cashews or just looking to try something new in the kitchen, these recipes are sure to impress. Give them a try and enjoy the rich, nutty flavor of cashews in new and creative ways.