How to Make Cashew Butter

Cashews are one among those rare delicious foods which are both tasty and nutritious. The cashew nutritional facts reveal that they are rich in 'good fat', magnesium, iron and anti oxidants. Compared with other nuts, they have low fat content, and the oleic acid in cashew nuts is very healthy for heart. Cashews can be included in the diet in a number of ways, and they are one of the common ingredients in many Indian recipes, especially desserts. In other countries, including the US, cashews are mainly eaten as snacks. Butter made from cashews is a very good option as a spread for bread, and can also be used in soups and sauces.

Before we get into the details on how to make butter, let's first see exactly what it is. As mentioned earlier, the main use of cashew butter is a sandwich spread. Besides preparing this delicious butter at home, you can purchase it. But it is rare to find good butter in the market. So it is best to prepare it at home, as you can also add your own variations! Based on your choice, you can use either raw or roasted cashews to prepare the butter. Just be sure that the cashews you are using are fresh and good. It is a good substitute for common peanut butter, for its rich taste and nutrition. There is a minute difference in tastes between butter made from roasted or raw cashews, only that raw cashew butter needs good preservation. In the market, you commonly find roasted cashew butter.

Raw Cashew Butter Recipe

Ingredients

• Raw Cashews - 2¼ Cups
• Salt - ¼ tsp
• Olive Oil -1 tbsp
• Orange Juice - 1 tbsp

Procedure

Using a blender, blend the cashews into a very thin powder. After that add oil, salt and orange juice into it. Then using a spatula, mix all the contents together to make the mixture consistent. Also make sure that cashew powder has blended well with other contents and there are no clumps, scrap down the sides of the blender with a spatula. Again blend the mixture for 1 minute. Now you can taste the butter, and also it is ready to eaten, if the taste is fine. If you are not having it immediately store it in an airtight container and refrigerate.

Roasted Cashew Butter Recipe

Ingredients

• Roasted Cashews - 2 Cups
• Vegetable Oil - 3 tbsp
• Salt - 1 tsp
• Sugar - 1 tsp

Procedure

Again you need a blender/food processor. Put the roasted nuts and sugar in the blender. And then add salt as per your requirements. Add oil, increase the tea spoons of oil if you want to increase the smoothness of butter. Now blend the contents for 1 minute into a fine paste and scrap down the sides with a rubber spatula. To preserve the butter, pour the contents into an air tight container, and freeze it. Easy procedure, right? This procedure is basically the authentic one. To cater to your taste buds, you can have your own variations like adding honey in place of sugar. You can add walnuts to increase the nutritional value and also the taste! Some people add chocolate, but to enjoy the authentic cashew taste, it is better to prepare it in a simple way, as was mentioned earlier.

Butter is always welcome, the way it melts on your tongue... (the effect cannot be described in words). So do try this easy recipe and enjoy the taste along with its nutritional benefits!