Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Cheesy Cauliflower Dip
This gluten-free and dairy-free cheesy cauliflower dip is a creamy and flavorful appetizer that's perfect for parties, game nights, or any occasion. Instead of traditional cheese, it uses a creamy cauliflower and cashew-based sauce to achieve that cheesy flavor and texture.
Ingredients
- 1 small cauliflower head cut into florets
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for 15 minutes, then drained
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast for a cheesy flavor
- 1/4 cup gluten-free vegetable broth
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika optional, for a smoky flavor
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh chives or parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Place the cauliflower florets on a baking sheet, drizzle with a bit of olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cauliflower is tender and slightly browned.
- While the cauliflower is roasting, make the creamy sauce. In a high-speed blender, combine the drained cashews, nutritional yeast, gluten-free vegetable broth, minced garlic, lemon juice, onion powder, smoked paprika (if using), salt, and pepper.
- Once the cauliflower is done roasting, remove it from the oven and let it cool slightly.
- Add the roasted cauliflower to the blender with the other sauce ingredients.
- Blend everything until you have a smooth and creamy sauce. You may need to scrape down the sides of the blender and blend again to ensure a consistent texture.
- Taste the sauce and adjust the seasonings, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed to suit your taste.
- If the dip is too thick, you can thin it out with a little more vegetable broth.
- Transfer the cheesy cauliflower dip to a serving dish.
- Garnish with fresh chives or parsley if desired.