Vegan Garlic Herb Cream Sauce
Pasta, sandwiches, salads, veggies — this versatile and nutritious sauce can be used to add lots of flavor to any dish. The secret to creating quick and easy healthy meals is having flavorful dressings and dips on hand like this one. Just toss whatever veggies, protein, and carbs you have on hand to a dish, add your sauce, and you’re all set.
Traditional creamy sauces can be high in saturated fats, which are linked to increased risk for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. This plant-based sauce, however, is rich in healthy unsaturated fats. Cashews provide the creamy texture you crave without the heavy dairy, making this sauce perfect for anyone that is vegan or has difficulty tolerating lactose. Follow the recipe as is or customize it to your preferences. Add spices, change up the herbs, and vary the thickness simply by adjusting the amount of water used.
Ingredients:
1 cup cashews soaked in 3/4 cup hot water
1/2 cup fresh basil
1/2 cup fresh parsley
2 tbsp lemon juice (juice from about 1 lemon)
2 cloves garlic
Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
Soak cashews in hot water in a small bowl for at least 20 minutes.
Combine all ingredients (including the water the cashews were soaked in) in a blender or small food processor and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning and ingredients as desired. Store in airtight container in the fridge.
