Nacho Cheese Sauce

Nacho Cheese Sauce

This is a recipe I use frequently. It is easy and makes a great topping (either hot or cold) for nachos, haystacks, and cooked vegetables. It's also delicious on homemade pizza or mixed with pasta for a cheesy pasta dish like mac and cheese. If you don't like cashews, Brazil nuts work just as well in this recipe.

1/3 cup cashews, washed

1 1/2 cups cold water

4 Tbsp. pimentos

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

2 Tbsp. nutritional yeast flakes

1 - 2 Tbsp. lemon juice

1/2 tsp. salt

Blend all ingredients in a blender until the cashews are completely broken-down and mixture is smooth and creamy. Then place mixture into a saucepan and cook over medium high heat, stirring constantly. After mixture starts to bubble, simmer for 3 minutes more. Remove from heat and pour into jar or bowl to serve.

Cheesy Sauce

Cheese --- delicious cheese --- high in fat, filled with cholesterol, difficult to digest. But oh, so hard to give up! Until now! How about a 100% plant-based cheesy sauce that helps to fill the gap? This recipe is for a savory and flavorful cheese-like sauce. Put it in a squeeze bottle to use like cheese whiz, use on chips for nachos, layer in lasagna, or stir into pasta for macaroni and cheese. Delicious!

Cheesy Sauce

1/3 cup raw cashews

1 1/2 cups cold water

4 Tbsp. pimientos

2 tablespoons cornstarch

2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes

1 - 2 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon salt

Rinse cashews in a strainer using hot water. Drain and place in blender. Add remaining ingredients and blend until very smooth. Place mixture into saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick. Remove from heat. May be served hot or chilled.

Barbara's Vanilla Creme

This recipe came from my friend, Barbara. Waving to you, Barbara! Thanks for leaving a comment here on my blog today. Since I shared my favorite cashew cream recipe, I though blog readers might enjoy an alternative cashew cream recipe --- with citrus and vanilla. Yum! Thanks, Barbara!

2 oranges, juiced
1 cup raw cashews
2 inch piece of fresh vanilla pod or 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
squeeze of lemon or lime

1. Place all ingredients in a Vita-mix or blender and blend until smooth.

2. Chill, if you can wait that long.

3. Serve on a bowl of fresh strawberries.

Vanilla Creme will keep for a couple of days in the refrigerator if you don't eat it all right away.

Cashew Cream

1 cup water
3/4 cup clean, raw cashews
8 pitted dates (or 2 - 3 Tbsp. maple syrup)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
pinch salt


1. Process first 3 ingredients in a blender until very smooth.

2. Bring to a boil, then add remaining ingredients. Reduce heat and simmer until thickened, stirring constantly.

3. May be served warm or cold. May also be used without heating.

Hot Carob Drink

Carob comes from the seed pods of a locust tree that is common in the Mediterranean, Africa, and the Middle East. Rich in may nutrients and sometimes used as a natural sweetener, carob is considered a very healthy food. Because it is an excellent source of pectin, it's used to sooth tummy ailments. Although it doesn't really taste like chocolate, it is frequently used as a chocolate alternative. It's delicious in hot drinks, puddings, cookies, and pies. Some individuals who don't care for the sweet flavor of carob alone love it when it has a touch of coffee or coffee alternative (like Roma) added. Here's a simple carob recipe that I enjoy.

1 heaping Tbsp carob powder
1/4 tsp cornstarch 6 to 8 oz water or soy milk*
vanilla to taste
stevia or other sweetener of choice

1. Mix the carob powder and cornstarch in the water until smooth.

2. Heat the ingredients, stirring occasionally, and serve with a little vanilla.

*I prefer the soy milk option for enhanced flavor.

Banana Shake

This is a favorite family recipe,usually served at breakfast or as an evening snack!   It's favored by young
and old and a delicious way to get nutrients down small children! Here is the basic recipe, but once
mastered you'll find many ways to enhance this shake.    

1 cup soy milk
1 tray ice cubes
water (to cover ice cubes)
2 large bananas
1 tsp vanilla

Pour soy milk into blender. Add ice cubes and enough water to cover the ice cubes. Add bananas and vanilla. Blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

Additions: chopped walnuts; carob powder; cocoa powder; maple nut extract; stevia or honey for additional sweetening.