Tonight we will be performing a healthy cooking demonstration, and the featured recipe is chipotle “cheese” sauce. I love cheese, and this is a healthy vegan alternative for dipping or use in Mexican or Tex-Mex recipes. Give it a try today!

Chipotle Cheese Sauce

1 cup water
3⁄4 cup raw cashews
1⁄2 cup pimentos (don’t drain) or 1/2 cup roasted red bell pepper
3 TBSP nutritional yeast flakes
2 TBSP lemon juice
1 1⁄4 tsp sea salt
2 tsp onion powder
1⁄4 tsp garlic powder
1 chipotle pepper

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Transfer into a sauce pan and simmer over medium heat until thick, stirring constantly to avoid burning.

Refrigerate leftovers. It tastes even better the next day.

Other Plant-Based Food Substitutions

One of the most difficult issues that people encounter when trying to adopt an entirely plant based diet is what they substitute for basic food items that they use in cooking, baking, etc. Here are some ideas that make good substitutes.

Eggs:

For baking:

Ener-G egg replacer

–1.5 teaspoon in 2 tablespoons of water = 1 egg

Flax seeds or flax seed gel

–1 tablespoon flaxseed meal in 2.5 tablespoons water = 1 egg

Apple sauce

–1/4 cup = 1 egg

Mashed banana (beware: this will give a banana scent/flavor)

–1/2 banana (mashed) = 1 egg

Soft Tofu

–1/4 cup = 1 egg

For cooking:

Tofu – can mash to substitute for scrambled eggs (see recipe) or

ricotta in lasagna

Dairy:

Milk (these are readily available at your local grocery store):

Almond Milk

Soy Milk

Rice Milk

Yogurt (can be store bought or home made):

Soy Yogurt

Almond Yogurt

Coconut Yogurt


Christopher Burton, MD
Christopher Burton, MD

Christopher Burton, MD is a physician, speaker, coach and author, practicing in Pensacola, FL. He specializes in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, which focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of conditions - particularly those of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems - that may produce temporary or permanent impairment of function. Dr. Burton also provides one-on-one Health & Wellness Coaching for select clients who want to improve their life significantly. In addition to his practice and coaching, he actively lectures on health, nutrition and exercise for healthcare groups, colleges, and businesses, and travels internationally teaching on various topics including the treatment and rehabilitation of athletes.