Cashew Nacho Cheese Bean Dip (Vegan, Gluten Free)

Hello Steemit! I have a recipe that is great for everyone, not just plant based eaters and dairy free folks! Many a carnivore have been impressed by this snack at dinner parties, holiday meals and potlucks.

I appreciate Daiya cheese and other store bought alternatives because more options are really helpful and convenient. However, I much prefer using nuts such as cashews, macadamia nuts, and pine nuts in sauces and cheeses because rather than seeming like just an immitation, these "cheeses" stand on their own, both in texture and in flavor. Nuts are whole foods, with real nutritional value, much healthier than packaged amalgams of flours, oils and preservatives (assuming you don't have an allergy or sensitity to nuts.)

The Super Bowl is dead and gone, so this post may seem like it came out a few weeks too late. But hey, the Olympics are in full swing, so invite a few friends over and get rowdy with some speed skating and vegan nachos!

Whole food ingredients...

Getting ready to blend the cashew cheese... Use a high speed blender such as a Vitamix in order to get an homogenous creamy consistency. Lower end blenders can work as well, but it may not be as creamy.

Stirring cheese into the beans, salsa and taco seasoning...

Simmering to thicken...

Ingredients:

2 cups water
1 cup cashews (soaked in water for 1 hour or longer)
1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes
1/2 cup red bell pepper (chopped)
1 12oz can black beans (rinsed)
1 cup medium salsa (fresh or bottled)
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1 lime (juiced)

Instructions:

1. Begin by soaking the cashews in water for at least one hour. Drain and rinse.

2. In a high speed blender, blend cashews, water, red bell pepper, and nutirional yeast to make a nacho cheese sauce.

3. In a medium sized sauce pan, cook black beans, salsa, lime juice and taco seasoning on low for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

4. Stir nacho cheese sauce into the sauce pan and simmer Cashew Nacho Cheese Bean Dip to thicken for 5 - 10 minutes to desired thickness, stiring frequently.

I hope you enjoy!

Stay tuned for more plant based recipes.... Rock On!

@boxcar