The Wins:

A party dip for all seasons
GF, DF
Cashew based

I don’t really miss cheese that much. A pizza that’s well loaded with other toppings is just as flavorful; a sandwich is just fine without it. I definitely don’t miss not being able to swallow.

The one thing I missed? Pimento cheese. The salty, tangy, creamy, cheesy southern dip was one of my favorites. I missed that. So, making it DF was on my to-do. And making it without a large amount of vegan cheeses was the goal.

Dairy-free Pimento Cheese Dip

• 2/3 cup whole raw cashews 
  Soaked for 10 minutes in boiling water 
• 2-3 Sun dried tomatoes, drained from oil 
• 2 wedges dairy free almond based Laughing Cow cheese, plain flavor
• 1 tsp each: smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt
• 4 tsps nutritional yeast 
• 2 tablespoons mayo
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 
• 1 oz jar diced pimentos
• Optional but recommended: 1-2 tsp lemon juice and/or 1 tsp GF Worcestershire sauce

Briefly soak the cashews in boiling water for 10-15 minutes, then drain. Add to a food processor tomatoes and Laughing Cow cheese. Blend until chunky but small pieces. Add remaining ingredients except for pimentos and optional lemon juice and Worcestershire. Blend until combined; add pimentos and pulse until just combined.

Serve with GF pretzels, crackers, petite toasts, veggies, on burgers, on chicken sandwiches, on a spoon…

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