Liv's thoughts, and her famous Vegan Cheese Balls
Butternut squash is begging to be transformed into something magical. I'm thinking... roasted with some sage and brown sugar, then pureed into a creamy soup with a swirl of cashew cream Or maybe it's time to bust out the old spiralizer and make some squash noodles tossed in a spicy peanut sauce.
Butternut and kale are like two old friends who need to be reunited. Roasted butternut squash with some caramelized onions and a sprinkle of thyme, paired with a tangy kale salad tossed in a citrus vinaigrette... it's like a match made in heaven
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I'm actually thinking of using some Texas-grown okra in a dish...Okra is like the unsung hero of veggies. People either love it or hate it, but when it's done right... mmmm.
I'm thinking of doing a crispy fried okra with a spicy remoulade sauce. It's gonna be a game-changer.
I'm all about embracing local flavors and ingredients, and Texas has some amazing ones to offer. But don't get me wrong, I'm not just about slapping some BBQ sauce on everything and calling it a day. I like to put my own twist on things, make it a little more... interesting. Like, have you ever had okra with a Korean chili flake called gochugaru? It's like a whole new level of flavor. You're not familiar with gochugaru? It's like, this amazing Korean chili flake that's got a smoky, slightly sweet heat to it.
It's not just about being spicy, it's about adding depth and complexity to a dish. And trust me, it pairs perfectly with the crispy fried okra. Don't worry, I'm not about torturing people with insane heat levels. I like to balance flavors, not blow people's heads off.
My dishes are more about a slow burn, a subtle kick that sneaks up on you. I want people to be able to taste the actual ingredients, not just the heat. So don't worry, my okra dish will be more like a warm hug than a five-alarm fire.
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Liv's Famous Vegan Cheese Balls
Ingredients:
1 cup of cashews soaked in water for at least 4 hours
1/2 cup of nutritional yeast
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
1/2 teaspoon of salt
1/4 teaspoon of black pepper
1 tablespoon of olive oil
Instructions:
- soak those cashews, then drain and rinse them.
- set oven to 375 degrees
- add them to a blender or food processor with the rest of the ingredients. blend until smooth and creamy
- transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in some chopped fresh parsley (optional, but trust me on this one)
- use your hands (or a spoon) to shape the mixture into small balls - about an inch in diameter
- place those cheese balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and drizzle with olive oil
- bake at 375 degrees for about 15-20 minutes, or until they're crispy on the outside and golden brown
- remove from oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
That's it! now go forth and make some cheesy magic happen! don't even think about sharing this recipe without giving me credit...