almonds + cashews {soaked}

Superfoods are at the forefront of my pantry these days at home and at work, and almonds and cashews are high on that list.  At Cafe Gratitude we use lots of soaked cashews in the desserts & in the savory sauces. 

At home, I keep a mason jar of soaked almonds in the refrigerator.  Almonds are higher in dietary fiber and calcium than any other nut and soaking them makes them easier to digest and absorb.  Cashews are rich in Vitamin K, magnesium, copper, zinc and phosphorus and soaking them too allows for easier absorption.


Soaked Almonds

• 2 cups organic raw whole almonds

Pour almonds in to a medium bowl and rinse with cold water until water runs clear. Repeat three times, draining and refilling the water.

Add rinsed almonds to a 4 cup mason jar, and cover with filtered cold water + an inch (almonds will swell).  Cover with tight fitting lid, and leave on the counter out of direct sunlight for 8 to 16 hours.  The water will turn amber.  Next day, drain the water and refill with filtered cold water, swish the almonds to make sure the bottom dwellers aren't stuck together, repeat if necessary, then cover almonds with filtered cold water + an inch and add to refrigerator.  Change cold water every two days.  Almonds will hold for up to two weeks.

Morning Power Smoothie

(2 servings)

• 8 oz Coconut water
• 2 organic Bananas
• 1 T Soaked almonds
• 1 T Barlean's Forti Flax*
• 1 T Hemp seeds
• 2 oz fresh organic blueberries (another handful for garnish)
• 4oz fresh organic or frozen organic cherries (pitted)
• 2 oz fresh or frozen mango chunks
• 2 oz fresh or frozen pineapples chunks
• 1 T Udo's Oil 3.6.9 Blend (Omega fatty acids)*
• 1 Scoop Greens 8 in 1 (Protein powder)*

*Ingredients can be found at Whole Foods Market.

Combine all ingredients in blender.   Blend and enjoy!

Soaked Cashews

• 2 cups organic raw whole cashews

Pour cashews in to a medium bowl and rinse with cold water until water runs clear.  Repeat three times, draining and refilling the water.  Swish around with your hand, water will get milky.  Add rinsed cashews to a 6 cup mason jar, and cover with filtered cold water + an inch (cashews will swell).  Cover with tight fitting lid, and leave on the counter out of direct sunlight for 8 hours.  The water will turn milky.  Next day, drain the water and refill with cold water, swish the cashews to make sure the bottom dwellers aren't stuck together, repeat if necessary, then cover cashews with filtered cold water + an inch and add to refrigerator.  Change cold water every two days.  Cashews will hold for up to one week.

A popular sauce at Cafe Gratitude is the Nacho cheese.

Nacho cheese

(6-8 servings)

• 4 cups soaked and rinsed cashews (soaked 8 hours)
• 2 T Nutritional yeast
• 1 T Chipotle powder
• 1 T salt
• 2 T Soy lecithin
• 2 1/2 cups water
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 t chopped garlic

Combine all ingredients in a Vitamix.   Blend and enjoy!