Cashew Queso
One of the hardest parts about going dairy-free is the cheese! This cashew “queso” is delicious, creamy, and nutritious - making it a great option for kids with autism (and the whole family!). This sauce/dip is a great source of healthy fats, protein, B vitamins, and iron.
To make sure this queso gets extra creamy, we suggest using a high-powered blender like a Vitamix.
It can be used as a dip for tortilla chips or as a sauce on top of vegetables (try with our Air Fryer Crispy Broccoli or as a drizzle on Stuffed Sweet Potatoes!). This is my favorite dairy-, gluten-, corn- and soy-free cheese sauce that my family makes at least once a week!
Ingredients
1.5 cups organic raw cashews, soaked in cold water overnight or soaked in hot water for 1 hour
1/2 cup nutritional yeast (choose unfortified, especially for those with the MTHFR mutation)
1 cup hot filtered water (or enough water to fully cover all ingredients)
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp smoked paprika
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
Does your child love spicy foods? Toss in 1/2-1 jalepeño or hot sauce of your choice (my personal favorite is Siete’s Traditional Hot Sauce)
Note: Most ingredients above are linked to items at Thrive Market for your convenience. Sign up with this link to get 30% off your first order.
A note on ingredient quality: If possible, choose ingredients that are organic and non-GMO. Stores such as Sprouts, Natural Grocers, Whole Foods, and other health food stores can help finding higher-quality ingredients. If access to higher quality ingredients isn't an option for you, choose the best option that is available to you locally.
Materials
A high-powered blender like a Vitamix
Directions
Soak cashews in cold filtered water overnight, or in hot water for 1 hour
Strain and rinse cashews and add to a high-powered blender
Add all other ingredients to the blender and blend on the “hot soup” setting or on high until fully blended, for about 1 minute
Pour and serve immediately. Save excess in a glass jar or container. It’s good for up to 5 days!
Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 2 tbsp | Makes 8 Servings
Calories: 80 | Protein: 4 grams | Fiber: 1 gram | Carbohydrates: 5 grams | Fat: 6 grams | Sugars: 1 gram
