The Vegan Cheese Sauce We’re Slathering On Everything

September 10, 2016

All-Purpose Cheese Sauce

SERVES

PREP TIME

15 min

COOK TIME

2h 00 min

Ingredients

1/4 cup (60 mL) raw cashews

1 1/4 cups (300 mL/6 1/2 ounces/190 g) diced peeled potatoes

Heaping 1/3 cup (100 mL/2 ounces/ 55 g) diced carrots

2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 mL) nutritional yeast, to taste

2 tablespoons (30 mL) refined coconut oil or other neutral-tasting oil, such as grapeseed oil

2 tablespoons plus 1 1/2 teaspoons (37 mL) water

1 1/2 teaspoons (7 mL) fresh lemon juice, or more to taste

1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) plus 1/8 teaspoon (0.5 mL) fine sea salt, or to taste

1 medium clove garlic

1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon (2 to 4 mL) white wine vinegar, to taste

Sriracha or other hot sauce (optional)

Directions

Soak the cashews in a bowl of water overnight or for at least 1 hour. Rinse and drain.

Put the potatoes and carrots in a medium pot and add water to cover. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to medium, and simmer uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes, until fork-tender. Drain. (Alternatively, you can steam the veggies.)

Transfer the cashews, potatoes, and carrots to a blender, add the nutritional yeast, coconut oil, water, lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon (2 mL) of the salt, garlic, and vinegar and blend until smooth. If using a Vitamix, use the tamper to help it blend. If it’s too thick, you can add another splash of water or oil to help it along. Taste the sauce and add sriracha and more salt, if desired. The sauce will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.