It’s Feels like Summer in Southern California
It may be October but its 80 degrees out, even on the coast.
It may stay like this into November, since its been a dry year. There is never a wrong time for a cool refreshing salad.
Here is my latest dairy free dressing, made from cashews.
You can buy dairy free dressings in the store, but often times they are made with cheap inflammatory oils, sugar, and fillers, such as gellan gum.
I decided to combine a few of my favorite cool summer flavors together, like cucumber and dill.
All About Cashews
They are not a nut. They grow on the outside of their fruits, on trees.
It is just a very odd looking type of fruit. Odd looking or not, I enjoy them, second to almonds.
This recipe is made in a blender.
To get a very smooth dressing, you need to take your time blending it to get the right smooth consistency.
A high speed blender, like a Vitamix is recommended for making this dressing.
I have tried using a food processor too, but it won’t get as smooth.
Making a larger quantity of a dressing, to use throughout the week, makes for less stopping and scraping the side of the blender.
How to Use Dill
I simply love dill. I will use it in potato salads, in soups, and in sauces. It’s a versatile bright, and refreshing herb. I just happened to have some on hand.
Either dried or fresh dill works for this, but the fresh kind adds a more distinct flavor.
Cucumbers Love Dill
Cucumber is another favorite veggie of mine. I add it to all my salads, enjoy it dipped in hummus, and even make refridgerator pickles with it (the lacto-fermented kind).
Another great way to enjoy cucumbers raw is with a simple sprinkle of Trader Joes, “Anything But the Bagel” seasoning.
Using Herbs
So I combined two of my favorite refreshing flavors, and ranch seasonings, to create this. You could also add chives, or parsley. I love the combination of creamy, savory, sweet, and spicy in this ranch.
I used Vegenaise, but if you don’t have some, you can use a mayo of your choice or omit it, substituting 1/2 tsp of apple cider vinegar, to get that tang.
So get your blender ready, and let’s get started!
Ingredients
1/2 cup Cashews
1 cup Unsweetended Plant Milk (I used almond)
1-2 heaping spoonfuls of Vegenaise or other mayo
1/3-1/2 Cucumber
2 Garlic Cloves
A Handful of Fresh Dill or 2 tsp dry
A few Fresh Chives or 1 tsp dry
A Handful of Fresh Parsley or 1 tsp Dry Parsley
1/2 tsp Celery Seed
1/2 tsp Onion Powder
1/4 tsp Dry Mustard
1/4 tsp Paprika
1 tsp Maple Syrup or Agave
1 tsp Salt
1/2 tsp Pepper
A few dashes of Cayenne
Optional: 1 tbsp Sauerkraut brine (raw)
Makes 1 pint jar, and you can double, or triple the recipe to make a large jar for the week.
Directions
So begin by soaking your cashews in warm water, and letting stand overnight.
Then drain them, and blend with the spices, 1/2 the salt, maple syrup, mayo, and plant milk.
If you like sauerkraut brine, you can add that in too, it’s optional.
Tip: Doubling or tripling the recipe makes it easier to blend, since you are going to be blending, and scraping the side of the blender and lid for 20+ minutes.
Next add in the garlic and cucumber, blending for another 10-15 minutes, scraping the sides, and lid frequently.
After blending for 10 minutes or so, check if it tastes smooth.
Adjust your spices, and add more salt if desired.
Then continue blending to desired smoothness, for about 20 minutes total.
Tip: You can add more salt, but not take it away. Whenever you try a new recipe with salt or a sweetener, try to add half of what it says at first, then taste.
I find fresh dressings to be much better than anything in a bottle from the store.
I paired mine with a simple salad of pepper rings, sliced cucumber, and carrots, with lettuce.
Salad is a quick and simple meal. Though the dressing took a bit of time, I feel it was all worth it in the end.
It’s creamy, and it’s savory, adding bulk to my salad, good fats, and omega 3’s.
I hope you enjoyed this recipe! Check out my how to video here.
About me
I’m Serafina! I’m a writer and California girl who loves to go exploring. Hope you will get outside today, breathe some fresh air, and be happy!
Follow my Journey…
Be sure to Like and Subscribe to My Youtube Channel where I post videos!
Disclaimer: The work on this blog is my opinion and my opinion alone and I am not responsible for the outcome if someone were to apply these thoughts to their own life. All text and photography copyright 2021 by Serafina, all rights reserved. Information and opinions provided are kept current to the best of the author’s ability. All readers’ usage of the ideas and opinions presented in the blog, are at their own risk. Be aware of the possible dangers of hiking, surfing, walking, cooking, and other activities, which may take place indoors or outdoors. By reading this, you agree not to hold the author or publisher of the content on this web site responsible for any injuries or inconveniences that may result from reading the blog, or partaking in any activity mentioned in the blog. Read the blog, and use its ideas, if you so desire, at your own risk.
Serafina Hikes 