Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free Alfredo Sauce

This Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce is a delightful twist on the classic Alfredo sauce, offering a healthier, dairy-free alternative. It's a velvety, creamy sauce with a rich flavor and a delightful touch of nuttiness from raw cashews. Cauliflower, the star ingredient, provides a creamy base without the need for heavy cream or cheese. It's not only delicious but also loaded with nutrients. The addition of nutritional yeast imparts a cheesy flavor, making it perfect for a variety of dishes. Whether you're looking to enjoy a cozy pasta dinner, a creamy vegetable side, or a creamy pizza topping, this Cauliflower Alfredo Sauce is a versatile and nutritious option that's perfect for all seasons.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 20 minutes

Yields: Approximately 2 cups of sauce

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• 1 medium cauliflower, cut into florets
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 celery stalk, chopped
• 1/2 cup raw cashews
• 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, heat the avocado oil. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, along with the celery, and sauté until the onions turn transparent.
2. Add the cauliflower florets, cashews, vegetable broth, and the bay leaf. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 10-15 minutes or until the cauliflower is tender.
3. Remove the bay leaf and set it aside. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked cauliflower, onion, garlic, cashews, and celery to a blender. Blend until you achieve a smooth and creamy sauce. Pour it back into the pot if you need to warm it a little more (optional: keep the bay leaf inside for extra flavor)
4. Add nutritional yeast, salt, and pepper.
5. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a bit more vegetable broth from the saucepan until you reach your desired consistency.
6. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more salt and pepper as needed.
7. Serve the cauliflower Alfredo sauce over your favorite pasta, roasted vegetables, or any dish that calls for a creamy sauce.

This cauliflower Alfredo sauce is a healthier, dairy-free alternative to traditional Alfredo sauce, and it's packed with the goodness of cauliflower and cashews. Cashews offer healthy fats, protein, fiber, essential minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and benefits for heart health, weight management, blood sugar control, and mood and cognitive function. 

Crunchy Mama Tip: For an added immunity boost, consider incorporating Vitamin D3, K12, and Omega-3 drops to complement your Alfredo sauce.

Enjoy your meal!