[Cashew] Cacio E Pepe
Cacio e Pepe (aka Cheese & Pepper) is one of my all-time favorites. But cheese being a big no no, I had to come up with my own equally delicious version that I think perfectly mimics the traditional Italian meal. You can pour this sauce over any noodle you like, including Kelp for a lower calorie version or spaghetti squash for a veggie boosted version.
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 of 1 yellow onion
1 cup of raw unsalted cashews
3 cloves of garlic
1 Tbs nutritional yeast
2 Tbs lemon juice
1/4 - 1/2 cup of water (depending on preferred consistency)
1 Tbs of fresh cracked pepper
1 1/2 tsp of salt
Handful chopped fresh parsley (to top)
DIRECTIONS:
1. Soak cashews in boiled water for an hour or two
2. Drain and add all ingredients to a food processor, reserving some of the water in case you prefer a thicker consistency.
3. Blend all ingredients until it turns into a puree.
4. Sauce can be used immediately or stored in fridge or freezer. If using right away, warm up slightly and toss with pasta. Top with more cracked pepper and fresh parsley.