Saturday, August 29, 2015

My Favorite Cheese Sauce

I've been saving my favorite cheese sauce recipe for so long, I've had time to update and fine tune it, and now it's time to share it! I like the version using garbanzo beans the best, but try it both ways and see what you think. Cheers to (vegan) cheese!

My Favorite Cheese Sauce 

1 cup raw cashews, soaked in cold water for 20 minutes or more, then drained and rinsed
OR
1/2 cup soaked cashews plus 1/2 cup cooked, rinsed garbanzo beans

1/2 cup nutritional yeast
1/2 - 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp sweet smoked paprika
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp dry mustard
3 T raw or toasted sesame seeds
1 tsp miso paste
1 T tamari
2 T white or apple cider vinegar
2 T olive oil (optional)
1 cup water

Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend at highest speed until smooth. Pour the sauce into a pan and heat it over low heat on the stove. (If you have a Vitamix, use boiling water and blend for a good long minute or two. It will be hot enough to use straight from the blender with no need to heat it on the stove. Do not try this with a NutriBullet! I love my Vitamix!)

This creamy, wonderful sauce makes a killer mac n' cheese, and tastes great on any veggie dish. You can also make it into a thick spread by reducing the water and salt. A Vitamix or food processor can handle the extra thickness. Enjoy!