(**Allergy information*** dairy free/vegetarian/vegan)
I love making recipes that are full of nutrients. A lot of people get lost in the misconception of counting calories or macros that they do not focus on eating nutrient dense meals and snacks.
I used to be like that too. I did not eat to fuel my body to function at it’s full potential, I ate just because that’s what we are supposed to do to live.
Now, I look at food so differently. Call my crazy but when I look at kimchi now I see the high amount of good bacteria going into my gut and destroying everything bad and I see the crazy health benefits. I understand some of you are like “yeah but you are a dietitian you went to school for 6 years for this” and yes you are correct I am lucky to have the knowledge I have that I used to think was so dumb and pointless.
The amount of people I have met while working clinical hours in the hospital who saved themselves with diet changes and by diet I do not mean restricting!! By diet I mean lifestyle changes, CHOOSING a more nutrient dense life to help your body live a long healthy life.
Time for the recipe! I promise you guys that this sauce tastes like Alfredo
Ingredients:
-8ounces of unsalted cashews
-1/2 onion diced
-1 tbsp minced garlic
-1 tsp chili pepper
-1 tbsp olive oil
-Salt & pepper (use as much as your preference, some like things more salty than others)
-Banza chickpea pasta (optional- you can use whatever pasta I just love this kind and it adds extra nutrients!)
Directions:
- Boil about 3 cups of water
- Once boiled, pour over cashews and cover completely (let soak for 30 minutes)
- While the cashews are being soaked, get a sauce pan out and put the olive oil, onions, garlic and seasoning in the pan and sauté until onions are translucent and well done
- Once the cashews are done soaking add the cashews + 1 cup of the water the cashews were soaking in to the blender then add the ingredients from the sauce pan as well. Blend together. ***if too thick add more of the water from the cashews soak***
- When everything is blended taste it and decide if you need more salt/pepper/ or seasoning of choice. I normally add a little bit more salt and pepper!
- Pour some of the sauce over your pasta of choice and enjoy! (this recipe makes about 15 servings of “Alfredo” sauce)
- ENJOY!
As always, if you have any questions or recommendations you are always welcome to email me!