How to Make Raw Cashew Cream and a Curry Ranch Dressing Recipe

Cashew cream makes a divine dairy-free ranch dressing.

Here in La La Land it's been too hot to cook. So I've been going raw. Numero uno- it's easy. Numero dos- it's tasty. And as an added bonus (if you need another nudge) cooking raw keeps the kitchen cool as a cucumber- which, by all accounts, is chilly by default, and, well. Cool. As in hip. At least around these hipster parts (it's right up there with gluten-free lately).

I am way past the hipster stage of life, I confess. But I admit I've been flirting with raw cuisine on and off ever since the monkey gut incident. Eating vegan and raw seems to help heal inflammation and tame my irritable, punishing digestion. Unless it's broccoli. Or onion. Or too much raw fruit. I still need to be careful. But eating mostly vegan soothes my pesky symptoms and revitalizes my cranky, creaky body. I am amazed at how much better I feel. Maybe it's all those perky little enzymes.

Now if I could only quell the stress factor.

Good thing I have an iPhone. Iphoneography keeps me sane. It's a way I can paint. Create. Stay engaged. Hopeful. It keeps my spirit fed. And my visually dominant brain happy.

Meanwhile, an iphoneoraphy girl's gotta eat. So I'll be soaking almonds and cashews for raw recipes. Freezing bananas. And stocking up on lettuce.

Why not try a little un-cooking yourself these last hot days of summer? This recipe for cashew cream is the perfect place to start. It's versatile and voluptuous. It's vegan and dairy-free.

You'll love it.

So go.

Start soaking.

Soaking raw cashews for cashew cream.

How to Soak Cashews for Cashew Cream

You'll need:

1 cup organic raw cashews
Fresh filtered water

Rinse the cashews in a colander and place them in a glass or ceramic bowl. Cover them with fresh filtered water.

Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and let them soak for two hours.

Drain and use in recipes.

How easy is that?

Dairy-free ranch dressing kicked up with curry spices.

Curry Ranch Dressing - a raw vegan recipe

Cashew cream makes a luscious creamy base for ranch style dressings and sour cream style sauces. Here I combined traditional ranch flavors with a kiss of curry. We enjoyed it on crisp herbal salad greens, and as a dip for fresh carrot sticks.

Ingredients:

1 cup soaked raw cashews
1/2 cup fresh filtered water
1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice
1/2 to 1 teaspoon mild gluten-free curry powder, to taste
1/4 teaspoon organic garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon organic onion powder
Pinch of sea salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste1 teaspoon fresh minced dill
2 teaspoons fresh minced parsley
2 teaspoons fresh minced basil leaves

Instructions:

Combine the soaked cashews, water, lemon juice, curry, garlic and onion powder in a Vita-Mix or blender and blend until smooth and creamy. If the sauce is too thick, add a tablespoon of filtered water to thin; pulse. Add another tablespoon, as needed.

Season with sea salt and black pepper, to taste.

Add the fresh chopped herbs. Pulse briefly to combine. Don't over do it.

Taste test! Adjust seasonings to your liking. Store in a covered glass jar or storage container. The flavors get better as it chills.

Use as a salad dressing or as a dip for carrot, celery, and zucchini sticks, and broccoli florets.

Makes four servings.

Recipe Source: glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com

All images & content are copyright protected, all rights reserved. Please do not use our images or content without prior permission. Thank you. 

Karina's Notes:

For a thicker dip for crudities, use a little less liquid to start. You can always add more.

Out of fresh herbs? Use dried. Start with a teaspoon each of dried herbs.

Using this a veggie dip is a tasty way to get kids to munch healthy.

Best used within four days.

Here's more delicious inspiration to keep you cool:

Raw Almond Spread Three Ways at Happy Healthy Life

Susan's Lite Goddess Dressing at FatFree Vegan Kitchen

Rawmazing's recipe and tips for making Almond Butter

Avocado Wasabi Salad at Vegan Yum Yum

Raw Chard Salad with Vegan Cashew Dressing at Book of Yum

Elana's Pantry whips up Cashew Milk

Ain't No Egg Salad at Gluten-Free Vegan Family