This refreshing, rich and creamy sauce provides some wonderful sweet and sour tones that can complement nearly any meal. Its versatility allows you to pair it with all kinds of veggie, bean, mushroom, and/or grain dishes. You can use it as a sauce, a spread, or a dip.

It is based on wholesome ingredients and provides an nutrient-rich addition to your meals. And unlike processed dressings, this sauce does not include any oils, sugars, or additives. It provides a rich assortment of wholesome nutrients, specifically healthy fats and protein, some carbohydrates and fiber, and it is loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.

Characteristics

TYPE: Sauce, Dip, Spread
PREP TIME: < 5 mins (+ pre-soaking time)
SERVINGS: makes about 1 cup (2 large/4 small servings)

  • 100% Plant-based (Vegan)
  • Raw
  • Gluten-free
  • Wheat-free
  • Grain-free
  • Soy-free
  • Corn-free
  • Peanut-free
  • Oil-free
  • Refined Sugar-free

Goodies Needed*

INGREDIENTS:

TOOLS:

  • High Powered Blender like a Vitamix or Nutribullet
  • Cutting Board
  • Spatula
  • Utensils
  • Lemon reamer or similar juice extractor (optional)

Preparation Steps

  1. Soak your cashews for 1 to 4 hours in some water prior to making this sauce, for increased creaminess and nutrition benefits. (You can still use them dry if you forgot to soak and want to make this sauce). When ready to use, drain the water, rinse thoroughly and place into your blender.
  2. Wash your lemons, cut in half and squeeze all of the juice into your blender.
  3. Peel the garlic clove (and ginger if using a fresh piece), and place into your blender.
  4. Add the remaining ingredients into the blender. (Be sure to remove the pit from the date!) Blend on high speed until a creamy, uniform consistency forms.
  5. Pour or drizzle the sauce over your meal, or with the help of a spatula, remove all of the sauce from the blender into a bowl for dipping or spreading.

Tips:

  • It is essential to use raw cashews for this sauce, not roasted cashews. Raw cashews will provide a different flavor experience and optimal health and nutrition benefits.
  • The amount of water you use will depend on your intentions for the sauce. Less water (1/4 cup) will make you a dip or a spread; more water (3/4 cups) will make you a runny sauce.
  • If your sauce is too thick, add more water. If your sauce is too runny, add some cashews and re-blend.
  • Adjust spice amounts as desired for your preferences.

Serving Ideas:

  • raw veggie dishes, such as salads
  • cooked veggie dishes (cover photo serving suggestion: potatoes, chickpeas & asparagus; photo below: potatoes, green string beans & cilantro)
  • veggie wraps or burgers (as a spread)
  • dip for raw vegetables and/or crackers
  • pasta dishes

Meal Nutritional Benefits

Cashews

  • provide healthy fats, protein, some carbohydrates, and fiber
  • provide phytonutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits
  • provide vitamins, especially vitamin K and some of the B vitamins
  • provide minerals, especially potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, and selenium
  • support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
  • protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, and other diseases

Poppy Seeds

  • provide healthy fats, protein, some carbohydrates, and fiber
  • provide phytonutrients and antioxidants
  • provide vitamins, specifically some vitamin C, E, and some B vitamins
  • provide minerals, especially manganese, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper
  • support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • support nervous system health; produce mild soothing effect
  • support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels

Lemons

  • provide alkalizing, cleansing, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial benefits
  • provide lots of phytonutrients and antioxidants
  • provide some vitamins and minerals, most specifically vitamin C
  • support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and liver function
  • protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, infections, and other diseases

Garlic

  • provides anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties
  • provides lots of phytonutrients and antioxidants
  • provides vitamins, especially vitamin C and some B vitamins
  • provides minerals, especially manganese, selenium, calcium, phosphorus, and copper
  • supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • supports the immune system and iron metabolism
  • protects against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes type 2
  • supports healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels

Ginger

  • provides anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties
  • provides lots of phytonutrients and antioxidants
  • provides vitamins, specifically vitamin C, choline, and folate
  • provides minerals, especially potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium
  • supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • supports digestive health; helps with nausea, vomiting, bloating, and gas
  • supports immune health and protects against infections
  • protects against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes type 2
  • supports healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels

Medjool Dates

  • provide healthy carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and are virtually fat-free
  • provide phytonutrients and antioxidants
  • have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties
  • provide vitamins, especially the B vitamins
  • provide minerals, especially potassium, copper, manganese, magnesium, calcium, and iron
  • support optimal health, energy, weight, healing, and prevention
  • support digestive, immune, and cardiovascular health

Black Pepper

  • not a significant source of calories or macronutrients (carbs, fats, protein)
  • provides phytonutrients and antioxidants
  • provides anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties
  • provides vitamins, including vitamin A, C, and K
  • provides minerals, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron
  • supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • supports digestive health; helps prevent bloating and gas
  • supports healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
  • protects against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, and other diseases

Unrefined Salt

  • unrefined sea salt unrefined Himalayan salt
  • naturally alkalizing
  • a source of over 80 essential and trace minerals
  • supports optimal blood pressure, heart and nervous system health
  • supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • Health Tip: avoid all forms of refined, white salt and processed foods made with it

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