cashews – The Vegan Rhino

One of my many favorite childhood desserts was banana fosters. I think it had to do with the live fire show you would sometimes get at your dinner table. This version is paired with a simple no-bake cheesecake, which in my opinion, is the best combo ever!

Yield 8

Ingredients

Crust:

2 cups rolled oats

1 cup all-purpose organic flour

2/3 cups light brown sugar

1 tsp. Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts, optional

Filling:

3 cups cashews, soaked overnight

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp. filtered water

1/2 cup + 2 Tbsp. maple syrup

1/2 cup coconut oil

4 Tbsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Banana Foster Topping:

3 to 4 ripened bananas, sliced

1/2 cup vegan butter

1-1/3 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup dark rum

1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

2-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Pinch of Himalayan Salt

Sprinkle of cinnamon, optional

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
In a food processor, add the crust ingredients and process until it starts to form a sticky-like dough. Once clumped together, transfer to your springform pan and press it down evenly.
Bake for 14 to 18 minutes or until crust is lightly brown. Set aside to cool.
In a blender, take your soaked cashew, water, maple syrup, coconut oil, lemon juice, and vanilla and blend until very smooth.
Pour mixture on top of the almond crust and smooth down with back of a spatula. Place back into the freezer to set fully, about 5-7 hours (best results overnight).
Allow cheesecake to thaw at room temperature for at least 20-30 minutes before serving.
In the meantime, add your butter, cinnamon, and brown sugar to a skillet. Melt until bubbly, add the bananas. Carefully, add the rum and light with a lighter. Allow alcohol to cook off (will take about 30 seconds) before adding vanilla and salt.
Remove the cheesecake from springform pan and top with hot banana fosters sauce.

Chef’s tip: Add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts before flambéing the banana mixture.

Cashews are such a universal ingredient that can be used to make countless recipes. This cashew cream cheese is made with fresh spices, probiotics and other nutritional ingredients. At the beginning of each week (typically Sundays), I try to make one of these variations: a veggie, plain, or herb cream cheese. This recipe is a good base to use to create other cream cheese flavors, just be sure to switch up the herbs and other added ingredients.

Yields 8 oz. cream cheese

Ingredients

3 cup cashews, soaked overnight

1 Vitacost ROOT2 Extra Strength Probiotic Vegan — 50 billion CFU

1/2 cup filtered water

1/2 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

2 Tbsp. chives (or green onions)

1-1/2 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. smoked paprika, optional

1-1/2 tsp. lemon juice

Directions

In a food processor, combine cashews, probiotic, water, salt and pulse until smooth in consistency.
Using two cheese clothes layered in a colander, pour the mixture into the lines colander- folding the cheesecloth on top.
Place this in a warm spot to culture for roughly 24-36 hours.
Place your cultured cream cheese into a bowl and add the onion flakes, chives, garlic powder, lemon juice, and optional paprika.
Mix until well combined and place back into the fridge for 30 minutes (this is to let the flavors meld together).
Serve with choice of bagel or toast.

Chef’s tip: Make sure to soak the cashews for 7-9 hours for an extra creamy and smooth cream cheese.