Feeding one dairy-allergic son and one who LOVES cheese, sour cream, and all things dairy has taught me that dairy-free and vegan cooking can be satisfying for everyone -- with the right recipes, like this cream vegan Green Goddess Salad Dressing that happens to be Paleo-friendly too.
Raw cashews are a secret vegan ingredient that, when used as a straight substitute for cheese, might leave us dairy eaters missing a little tangy something. But in a recipe like this dressing that my family is obsessed with, the flavor comes from tons of fresh herbs, fragrant garlic, and fresh lemon juice. That leaves cashews with a job that's absolutely perfect for them: creating a thick base and creamy texture without any fatty ingredients like the mayo traditionally called for in a Green Goddess dressing.
In fact, you can even make this dressing oil-free. (I add olive oil because I think a little raw EVOO is healthy and I like the flavor and texture that it adds.)
Either way, nobody will be the wiser.
https://youtu.be/Q_LiLu0kKFk
A quick note on using raw cashews if you haven't before: Be sure to grab raw, not roasted ones, and they shouldn't be salted either. You can soak them with warm tap water overnight or with boiling water for one hour. Either way, put the cashews in a bowl and cover by about two inches. Drain, discarding the soaking water, before using.
Related: 7 kid-friendly vegan dinner recipes for Earth Day -- and beyond.
Raw cashews are a secret vegan ingredient that, when used as a straight substitute for cheese, might leave us dairy eaters missing a little tangy something. But in a recipe like this dressing that my family is obsessed with, the flavor comes from tons of fresh herbs, fragrant garlic, and fresh lemon juice. That leaves cashews with a job that's absolutely perfect for them: creating a thick base and creamy texture without any fatty ingredients like the mayo traditionally called for in a Green Goddess dressing.
In fact, you can even make this dressing oil-free. (I add olive oil because I think a little raw EVOO is healthy and I like the flavor and texture that it adds.)
Either way, nobody will be the wiser.
https://youtu.be/Q_LiLu0kKFk
A quick note on using raw cashews if you haven't before: Be sure to grab raw, not roasted ones, and they shouldn't be salted either. You can soak them with warm tap water overnight or with boiling water for one hour. Either way, put the cashews in a bowl and cover by about two inches. Drain, discarding the soaking water, before using.
