Category Archives: Sauces

Basics, Dairy-Free, Dinner Party, Low Calorie, Lunch, Meal Prep, Sauces

Ranchish Dressing (Vegan)

This isn’t exactly ranch dressing. It’s a different thing, but it’s nonetheless good and non-dairy. And it’s very quick to make.

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Ranchish Dressing (Vegan)

Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Salad
Cuisine: California, Vegan, Vegetarian
Keyword: Basics, Sauces
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 138kcal

Ingredients

  • 1½ cup raw cashews
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp dried chives
  • 1 tsp dried dill

Instructions

  • Mix all ingredients in a high-speed blender and blend until smooth.

Notes

About 8 servings

Nutrition

Calories: 138kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Sodium: 151mg | Potassium: 190mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 428IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 19mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition Facts
Ranchish Dressing (Vegan)
Amount Per Serving
Calories 138 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 2g13%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Monounsaturated Fat 6g
Sodium 151mg7%
Potassium 190mg5%
Carbohydrates 8g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 428IU9%
Vitamin C 4mg5%
Calcium 19mg2%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Dairy-Free, Sauces

Cilantro Hemp Pesto

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Cilantro Hemp Pesto

Great for Burrito Bowls
Prep Time10 minutes
Total Time10 minutes
Course: Sauce
Cuisine: Mexican
Keyword: Sauces
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 136kcal

Equipment

  • Food processor

Ingredients

  • 2 cups cilantro leaves with tender stems from about 2 small bunches
  • ½ cup shelled hemp seeds (hemp hearts)
  • 1 jalapeño
  • 2 clove garlic
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • ¼ cup olive oil

Instructions

  • To the bowl of a full-size food processor, add everything except the oil (2 cups cilantro, ½ cup hemp seeds, 1 jalapeño, 2 cloves garlic and ½ tsp salt, 2 tbsp lime juice). Process until everything is finely chopped; pause to scrape down the bowl as necessary.
  • Slowly add the olive oil while still mixing, continuing until it is all well-combined and creamy.
  • Use immediately or store in an air-tight container.

Nutrition

Calories: 136kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 148mg | Potassium: 33mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 355IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 2mg
Nutrition Facts
Cilantro Hemp Pesto
Amount Per Serving
Calories 136 Calories from Fat 108
% Daily Value*
Fat 12g18%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 148mg6%
Potassium 33mg1%
Carbohydrates 2g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 5g10%
Vitamin A 355IU7%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 22mg2%
Iron 2mg11%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Basics, Holiday, Sauces

Classic Umami Gravy

This gravy works really well and can even tolerate some improvisation. The key components are here though, so don’t alter it too much. You really do need the fennel and celery seed to give it a nice sausage-like flavor, and the miso helps add important umami.

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Classic Umami Gravy

Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time30 minutes
Course: Ingredient, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southern
Keyword: Sauces
Servings: 10 servings
Calories: 56kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 small yellow onion minced
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 2 tsp fennel seeds crushed
  • 1 tsp celery seeds crushed
  • 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • ¾ cup vegetable broth
  • ¾ cup milk
  • 1 tbsp miso
  • 1 tsp good-quality soy sauce or tamari

Instructions

  • Melt the 3 tbsp butter in a saucepan. Sauté the onion until it softens, about 3-5 minutes. Add the spices (fennel, celery seed, thyme and cayenne) and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
    1 small yellow onion, 3 tbsp unsalted butter, 2 tsp fennel seeds, 1 tsp celery seeds, 1 pinch cayenne pepper
  • Add the 2 tbsp flour and mix constantly for 4-7 minutes until the color turns medium brown.
    2 tbsp flour
  • Reduce the heat to medium low. Add the vegetable broth, miso and soy sauce and stir until smooth and thickened, a few minutes.
    ¾ cup vegetable broth, 1 tbsp miso, 1 tsp good-quality soy sauce or tamari
  • Drizzle in the milk slowly and mix well to ensure it all incorporates well. Stir until somewhat thickened, about 5-7 minutes. It will thicken more as it cools.
    ¾ cup milk
  • Remove from the heat. Taste and add salt, pepper and other seasonings as needed.

Notes

Makes 10 servings

Nutrition

Calories: 56kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 177mg | Potassium: 52mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 179IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition Facts
Classic Umami Gravy
Amount Per Serving
Calories 56 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 1g
Cholesterol 11mg4%
Sodium 177mg8%
Potassium 52mg1%
Carbohydrates 4g1%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 179IU4%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Calcium 33mg3%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Basics, Sauces

Sofrito (Puerto Rican Cooking Base)

Delicious start to Puerto Rican meals.

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Sofrito

A delicious base for Puetro Rican meals
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Course: Ingredient
Cuisine: Puerto Rican
Servings: 4 portions
Calories: 63kcal

Equipment

  • Food processor

Ingredients

  • 1 medium yellow onion large chopped
  • 1 Anaheim pepper or cubanelle if available; stemmed, seeded and rough chopped
  • 9 cloves garlic peeled and trimmed
  • ½ bunch cilantro rough chopped
  • 4 ajices dulces or a green bell pepper; stemmed, seeded and rough chopped
  • 2 large tomatoes stemmed
  • 1 tsp anchiote or sweet paprika
  • 1 medium red bell pepper stemmed, seeded and rough chopped
  • 2 tsp salt

Instructions

  • Prep the ingredients as above.
  • Place onions and cubanelle/anaheim peppers in the workbowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
  • With the motor running, add the remaining ingredients one at a time through the feed tube and process until smooth. Season with about 2 tsp salt. Transfer what you don’t use to the freezer, where it will keep for quite a while. You want to have about ¼-½ cup per portion used in the meal.

Nutrition

Calories: 63kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1220mg | Potassium: 433mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 2115IU | Vitamin C: 81mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition Facts
Sofrito
Amount Per Serving
Calories 63 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 1220mg53%
Potassium 433mg12%
Carbohydrates 14g5%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 7g8%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 2115IU42%
Vitamin C 81mg98%
Calcium 38mg4%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Holiday, Sauces, Side

Meyer Lemon Cranberry Sauce

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Meyer Lemon Cranberry Sauce

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Sauce, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Thanksgiving
Keyword: Fruit
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 78kcal

Ingredients

  • 12 oz fresh cranberries
  • 115 g sugar
  • ¼ cup fresh Meyer lemon juice from about 2 Meyer lemons
  • 2.5 tbsp finely grated Meyer lemon zest from about 2 Meyer lemons
  • ½ cup water may use less

Instructions

  • Rinse the cranberries well, picking out any ones with obvious signs of age or softness. Rinse the lemons and zest and juice.
    12 oz fresh cranberries, ¼ cup fresh Meyer lemon juice, 2.5 tbsp finely grated Meyer lemon zest
  • Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan, starting with about ¼ cup water, adding slightly more to make sure the cranberries and sugar have some liquid to start the process. Bring to a boil over just above medium heat, then reduce to a simmer.
    115 g sugar, ½ cup water
  • Cook, stirring occasionally, until berries start to pop. Press berries against side of pan with a wooden spoon and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until berries are completely broken down and achieve a jam-like consistency (remembering that it will become more gelatinous as it cools), about 10-20 minutes total.
  • Remove from heat and allow to cool about 30 minutes. (I recommend pouring the sauce into a glass storage container and setting on the counter and immediately soaking or cleaning the pan.) After cooling for a bit, you can add a bit more water if it’s too thick.

Notes

Nutrition estimate is for small servings, as a side.

Nutrition

Calories: 78kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 47mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 27IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition Facts
Meyer Lemon Cranberry Sauce
Amount Per Serving
Calories 78 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 2mg0%
Potassium 47mg1%
Carbohydrates 20g7%
Fiber 2g8%
Sugar 16g18%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 27IU1%
Vitamin C 11mg13%
Calcium 7mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.