ALL-PURPOSE VEGAN CHEESE SAUCE

Yields 1 cup

 

¼ cup (60 mL) raw cashews

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

Heaping ⅓ cup (100 mL/2 ounces/ 55 g) diced carrots

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

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

2 Tbsp plus 1½ tsp water

1½ tsp (7 mL) fresh lemon juice, or more to taste

½ tsp (2 mL) plus ⅛ tsp (0.5 mL) fine sea salt, or to taste

1 medium clove garlic

½ to ¾ tsp (2 to 4 mL) white wine vinegar, to taste

Sriracha or other hot sauce (optional)

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.

Transfer the cashews, potatoes, and carrots to a blender, add the nutritional yeast, coconut oil, water, lemon juice, ½ tsp (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.