Favorite Nondairy Vegan Cheese Sauce

You know why I think cheese is not a health food, but I never said it didn't taste good! You've got to have a replacement.

And there's good news, for all you cheese lovers. There's not an exact replacement for dairy cheese, but I think I've got something better...especially if you love cheesy sauce.

My favorite cheesy sauce is a recipe from Neva & Jim Brackett's 7 Secrets Cookbook. It's delicious over enchiladas, pizza, lasagna, nachos, and potatoes, rice, pasta....

The original recipe is very rich and a little goes a long way. I made pizza tonight and modified the original sauce recipe, since it contains cashews and my son has allergies to tree nuts. We topped our pizzas with the sauce and with fresh pineapple, mushrooms, sliced zucchini, oil-free sundried tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, and olives.

It's really important to use all of the ingredients listed, otherwise you're going to be disappointed because the sauce requires the right mixture of ingredients. For a little Mexican flavor, add diced chilies once the sauce is made, or chopped jalepenos.

Here are the recipes:

7 Secrets Simple Cheese Sauce

1 c. raw cashews
2 c. water
1/2 large or 1 small red bell pepper (or 1/4 c. canned pimentos or red peppers)
1 1/2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. onion powder
2 TBS. nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Blend smooth on high and then cook over medium-high heat in a medium saucepan. Bring to boil, then turn down heat to medium-low, stirring constantly (to avoid burning and clumping) until thick.

Lighter version: Use 1/2 c. cashews and add 1 TBS. cornstarch.

Janae's Simple Vegan NO-nut NO-soy Cheese Sauce
GF, SF, NF

• 1 c. cooked chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
• 1/4 c. sesame seeds
• 2 c. water
• 1/4 c. jarred roasted red pepper/pimento
• 1 1/2 tsp. celtic sea salt
• 2 tsp. onion powder
• 2 TBS. nutritional yeast
• 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 TBS. cornstarch

Process all ingredients following directions above.