This could be my favorite recipe of the season. Fresh organic strawberries are coming in GORGEOUS right now and this easy vanilla cream is the perfect match.
If you haven't tried one of our popular 5-Day Detoxes yet, this delicious dish is on the menu! At FYG, we believe that detoxing should not be about deprivation but about fueling your body with nutritious and satisfying food. If we give our body what it needs, carvings should naturally subside because you will be giving yourself what you need to bring your body back in balance.
To sign up for our easy and popular 5-Day Summer Detox, June 27- July 1, click HERE.
Traditional, store bought whipped creams (think Cool Whip and Reddi-Wip) are made with some pretty scary ingredients. More recent versions include hydrogenated oils, high fructose corn syrup, various dairy products (most likely from large factory farm raised cows), artificial flavorings, stabilizers, preservatives and colorings. Does that sound appetizing? I think not...
By way of contrast, our version contains whole-food, plant based ingredients that offer macro and micronutrients. And only THREE simple (and shelf-stable) ingredients! You can whip this up in no time!
ALL you need for this delicious vanilla cream is:
- cashews
- dates (we use Medjool)
- pure vanilla extract
After soaking the cashews (or using a quick soak), it comes together quickly in a food processor and is incredibly versatile and delicious. You may be using it on all your fresh fruit desserts all summer long! You can even create an easy dairy-free strawberry shortcake or a festive 4th of July berry plate with blueberries-strawberries and vanilla cream. Go ahead and get creative!
Cashews are a beloved ingredients around here. We use them in ice creams, granolas, and as topping for curries, just to name a few... I buy an organic brand in bulk at #Costco and store in the freezer for longer shelf life. Often confused as a nut, cashews are actually a kidney-shaped seed that come from a cashew tree, usually grown in the tropics. That said, if you are severely nut-allergic, consume with caution.
Rich in plant-based protein and healthy unsaturated fats, cashews also boast essential micronutrients including copper, magnesium, manganese, zinc, iron, phosphorus, selenium, and thiamine, as well as vitamins K and B6...nutrients associated with health benefits including energy production, brain health, immune function and bone health.
If that's not enough, cashews are also rich in antioxidants including polyphenols that can help reduce inflammation and boost immunity.
Strawberries and Vanilla Cream
(dairy-free, refined sugar-free, vegan)
Makes about 1 ½ cups
Prep time: 10 minutes (not including soak time)
Ingredients:
1 pint (or more) of fresh organic strawberries
1 cup raw cashews, soaked 4-6 hours*
4 Medjool dates, pitted
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
½ cup filtered water (or as desired for consistency)
Pinch of sea salt
Fresh mint leaves, for garnish
Directions:
1) Add all ingredients except the strawberries to a food processor or high-speed blender. You can start with fewer dates and taste and add more as desired.
2) Mix until smooth, adding more water as desired for consistency.
3) Taste and adjust flavor if needed. More dates for added sweetness. More vanilla for flavor, more water for creaminess.
4) Store in a glass jar with a lid in refrigerator for up to 5 days. Can also be frozen but this will likely change the consistency because of the water content.
5) Serve with fresh strawberries and garnish with mint leaves.
*quick soak cashews by simply covering them with very hot (not boiling) water for about 15 minutes. Drain and rinse.
Serve with fresh organic strawberries (or any berries), cake, in smoothies, matcha, morning coffee, etc. Your next strawberry shortcake will reach new heights!
Ahhhh, so good.
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