Cashews have so many health benefits they’ve become the world’s #1 nut crop, with more than 4 billion pounds harvested annually. They’re among the lowest in fat and the fat they have is the good, heart-healthy kind. They boast antioxidants, magnesium, fiber and copper; no wonder they’re sometimes called “nature’s vitamin pill.”
Cashew butter is so easy to make in a food processor (it’s one of the first things I made) that I can’t imagine buying it. All you need are roasted, unsalted cashews, a pinch of salt, a little oil and a few minutes of your time. If you have a sweet tooth, add a bit of honey, but I made this to go into a savory sauce and the added sweetness would have been inappropriate. Cashew butter’s also excellent with bananas, apples or whole wheat toast.
The method is simple. The cashews go into the processor bowl and the machine runs continuously. After the nuts have gone through the finely chopped and then powdery stages, they begin to look like the “size of a pea” stage of pie crusts.
As you continue to run the processor, the nuts begin to loosely form a ball, again like pie crust dough.
This is when you add the salt and oil. Most nuts will begin to exude droplets of oil on their own, but cashews are too lean. Cuisinart says cashew butter always requires oil and I’ve found that to be true. The top photo shows the butter soon after I added the oil; the droplets incorporated into the butter as I let the machine run.
Use as much oil as you need for the desired consistency — I used about two teaspoons, knowing this would be part of a sauce and would “melt” on the stove, but for spreading or dipping I use more — and be sure to use a bland or neutral oil, such as vegetable oil. I had grapeseed on hand and used that.
Food Processor Cashew Butter
Adapted from Cuisinart
1 cup/5 oz unsalted roasted cashews
pinch salt
vegetable oil as needed, up to 2 TB or so
2 to 3 tsp honey, or to taste (optional)
Place the cashews in the food processor bowl and let run continuously for about 2 minutes, until cashews are ground almost to a paste and are clumping together. Add the salt and about 1 tablespoon of oil (and optional honey if using) and resume continuous processing for another minute or until smooth. If needed, drizzle in additional oil as the machine runs.
Taste, adjust salt if necessary. Store tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Makes about 3/4 cup.
Ella’s note: I imagine this could be made in a blender too, but I haven’t done so. If anyone has, please share any tips in comments and I’ll edit this post to call attention to your help.
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Hey hey Ella!
Where do you buy unsalted cashews?
And I’m happy to see you back!!
everywhere here, they are roasted and salted. I have resorted to rinsing them and then roasting, in order to use. On the other hand, I can buy cashew butter, without sugar or honey. Expensive, though.
T
Tess´s last blog ..Mentaiko Spaghetti: wafuu supagetti
Hi, Tess. Thanks! Roasted, unsalted are sold in the bulk areas and little containers in produce depts. That was the case in NH and here too, but your markets might not do it that way. Any good health food store should have them and I think Whole Food$ does too, if they’re in your area.
But… this issue came up in pastry school because unsalted macadamias are hard to find. And we were told to rinse off the salt and just let them dry. If you buy them roasted there’s no need to re-roast.
I almost made your chicken and cashew dish that I bookmarked, but I was so curious about the coconut sauce. Yours is my next cashew/chicken combo!
Right. Forgot about Whole Paycheck: there are two stores here. One offers valet parking because they are so busy! I just don’t go there often because you can’t shop for just one or two quick things…
Tess´s last blog ..Mentaiko Spaghetti: wafuu supagetti
I don’t go often because they’ve earned their nickname. I was in one last weekend and it was a mob scene, complete with countless screaming, crying, whining, running-around kids. I couldn’t wait to leave and didn’t buy a thing.
There’s something strangely humorous about people who are buying food from a store emphasizing healthy stuff but needing valet parking so they don’t have to walk from the north 40 parking lot.
Thanks, I didn’t know it was so easy!
Nate´s last blog ..Recipe for Kalua Pig with Cabbage
My pleasure! Thanks for stopping by!