Description
The cashew is the seed of a tropical tree native to Brazil. It grows in a curious way: it hangs below a fleshy fruit, the "cashew apple", and its shell contains an irritating liquid, which is why it is always sold shelled.
In plant-based cooking it is precious: soaked in water for a few hours and blended, it becomes a smooth, neutral cream that replaces cream and cheese. I use it to make pasta with potatoes creamy, in vegetable sauces, in pestos instead of parmesan and as the base of fermented plant-based cheeses.
Toasted and roughly chopped, it also makes a delicious crunchy topping.
In plant-based cooking it is precious: soaked in water for a few hours and blended, it becomes a smooth, neutral cream that replaces cream and cheese. I use it to make pasta with potatoes creamy, in vegetable sauces, in pestos instead of parmesan and as the base of fermented plant-based cheeses.
Toasted and roughly chopped, it also makes a delicious crunchy topping.
