Good uses for cashew butter and/or tahini?

[stevek42]

I just got a jar of raw cashew butter, and one of raw tahini. I already have found the joys of putting it on some flax crackers with some of Alissa's strawberry jam...mmmmm...

Err, scuse me. What else is good with cashew butter? And can tahini (though much stronger) be good on other things?

[Rawkinlocs]

Mmmm...cashew butter is GOOD!

Well, my youngest daughter loves it on sliced bananas, I've made dressings using it as a base rather than nuts or seeds, you can make cookies using it along with other ingredients such as soaked oat groats, raisins, dates, shredded apples, etc. (do you have a dehydrator?) If you don't have a dehydrator, you can make the cookie dough that PixieGreen posted a while back (type "cookie dough" into the search box (banana icon up top) and you should locate the thread.

Tahini can be used for making "cheese", dips or salad dressings (add some lemon juice, garlic, sea salt and water to desired consistency and blend). I used to make tahini milk (tahini and water with a few dates and sometimes a banana) but that's an acquired taste). Some like it right of the jar.

[RawTruth]

Tahini is good blended with other stuff to make a hearty and/or savory salad dressing.

There's a recipe in #10 post in this thread:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4650&highlight=tahini

#8 in this thread:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=4480&highlight=tahini

#2, #3, & #7 in this one:

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3543&highlight=tahini

Cashew Butter - well, anything where nut butters are asked for, 'course.

There's tons and tons and tons and tons of recipes in the raw uncookbooks using nut butters (and tahini) -- do you have any books?

Or, there's always using it just straight as a dip for carrots, celery, jicama, strawberries, bananas -- anything you wish.

Mix it with Nama Shoyu, garlic, ginger and toss in some cilantro for an Asian dressing, to toss chopped veggies in, or as a dipping sauce.

Use it in the caramel-coconut cookies we're so excited about.

Blend some into your ice cream (if you haven't discovered this treat ... oh, my what bliss awaits you!) for Cashew Banana Soft Serve.

[stevek42]

Yes, we have a dehydrator and a great processor.

I wish we had a better dehydrator though...ours is a circular one. There's a hole in the middle and we only have one solid sheet.

I have to try the ice cream, without a doubt...

I'll have to look up tahini cheeses. All the cheeses I've seen require macadamia nuts which I've been having a problem finding.

Thanks guys!

[katrina]

Hi! I just had a wonderful lunch including tahini.

I sliced 2 red red delicious apples. I put about 2-3 tablespoons of tahini in a bowl with 2 teaspoons of raw honey. Stir in as many raisins as you like. I used a lot. Add a little sea salt. Mix well.

Spread this mixture over your apples and enjoy!

[Halo Aglow]

I use my tahini sort of like Katrina does, for Waldorf salads of diced apples, raisins and walnuts. I use the dressing for it (that contains tahini) from Living Cuisine by Renee Loux Underkoffler. It's sweet and tangy, though I tend to add more sweetener.

[RawTruth]

I wish we had a better dehydrator though...ours is a circular one. There's a hole in the middle and we only have one solid sheet.A number of people on this board use that type of dehydrator -- very successfully, it seems. You might want to ask them for hints, if it's a drag using it. I know they've discussed how they purchased extra teflex sheets on here before.

I got my Excalibur on eBay for quite a discounted price - slightly used, but in excellent condition. When (or if ever) you're ready to upgrade, you might give that a try.

[stevek42]

Thanks, I appreciate all the tips!

I ended up using most of the cashew butter to make fudge balls from Alissa's book...mmmmmm...

[katrina]

Hey Steve, put plastic wrap over the tray and take scissors and cut into the whole. Fit the plastic over the whole. Then you can use the whole tray. I have the same model and use all five trays to make crackers, cookies, etc. It's another step to have to do, but it makes your whole dehydrator usable.You do have to rotate the trays at least once in the process to ensure even dehydrating through the entire process.

[RawTruth]

If you use parchment paper rather than plastic wrap, you don't have to concerned with the whole hormone leaching plastic issue. And it cuts more easily.