“Nuts for You!” – Coconut Cashew Butter

Paleo, NSA & Dairy free
When I jumped on board this whole food bandwagon I had no idea that it would open up a world of deliciously indulgent nut butters. I thought they were fattening and bad for you. What’s more, surely they required some kind of high-tech kitchen equipment that I couldn’t possibly afford. It doesn’t happen often but there are those rare occasions when I love it when I’m wrong!

I made the mistake of looking for nut butter recipes early at work one morning and could not wait to get home and give one a go. I was like an excitable child desperate to get out of school and play with my new toys, in this case the toy being my little beauty of a food processor. Check her out, isn’t she pretty!?

I invested in my mini food processor about a month or two before but this was really going to put my little kitchen whizz to the test because she was going to do all the work while I just stood there and occasionally licked the spatula – yes, it really is that easy!

So, first up in my nut butter repertoire is coconut cashew butter. You will not be sorry you chose to make this!

The coconut creates a lovely creamy texture and adds a subtle sweetness that you could easily mistake this for a dessert – tried and tested, it can be eaten by the spoonful as a dessert.

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 cups raw cashews
• 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut
• 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp himalayan salt
• 1/4 tsp coconut oil (optional)

METHOD:

1. Put the coconut in the food processor and process until smooth (around 5 minutes)
2. Add the cashews, salt, vanilla & coconut oil and process for about 10 to 15 minutes scraping down the sides and stirring as necessary.

You may find that your food processor needs a little break from time to time during the process. Be gentle & patient, allow it a few minutes and then crack on to achieve that smooth, delicious creaminess you deserve! Whatever you do, DO NOT add any liquid, no matter what strange noises start to emerge from your food processor. I promise you the flour stage is only temporary, creamy paste is not far from your grasps, do not give up!

And voilà! The creamy end result you patiently waited for.

Enjoy as a snack with apple slices or add a nice dollop to your morning smoothie. Better yet, make these Choconut Cashew Butter Cups! Be sure to let me know how you like to enjoy your nut butters.