I wasn’t even planning on making these for this weeks blog post – you were suppose to get Jerk String Beans with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce – don’t worry you’ll get those soon – and they are going to be worth the wait. I always have an idea of what I want to share with you, but sometimes I get inspired and end up filing away the other recipe for the future. I’m glad I did this time, this recipe will knock your socks off.
It’s almost Fourth of July and what better way to celebrate by serving up these beautiful, tasty and healthy red, white and blue treats. Trust me, no one will even know they are healthy treats they are so good. These are so easy to make and I bet if you serve this up at your July 4th BBQ people will be begging for the recipe. The cashew date cream isn’t stark white, but still gives the red, white and blue feel I was looking for. I could have made a coconut whipped cream – that would have been more white – but I felt this was the way to go. The cashew date cream is so sinfully good. It compliments the sweetness of the strawberries and tartness of the blueberries. It is the perfect marriage of flavors – I had to fend off my family from eating them so I could just get one good picture! My 3 year old was so happy I was done, she ate every single one off the plate, minus the one my poor husband got. I have plenty of leftover cream, strawberries and blueberries in the fridge to make more today, so he’s happy.
I am going to be making the cashew date cream for other recipes since it is so good. It would make a good icing for cupcakes or banana bread muffins. I’m going to make my Healthy Vegan Banana Bread into muffins to update the recipe for you, and of course a gluten-free version of both – I am working on it. Can I make home-made twinkies and fill it with this? Oh, yes, I’m so on it!
These are also great for a tea party, shower, dinner party – actually you can serve them at any party, or anytime. =) Make the cashew cream sauce ahead of time and store in the refrigerator.
- 1 pint of fresh strawberries, washed and dried
- 1 pint of fresh blueberries, washed and dried
- 1 cup cashew date cream (recipe follows)
- Cut a thin slice from bottom of strawberries so they stand upright. Remove tops of strawberries with a paring knife and gently scoop out some of the inside of the strawberries. Another option is to not cut off the top off the strawberries, but cut the strawberries from the top into wedges, like a + sign ( but not all the way through).
- Use a pastry bag with a decorative tip, or fill a zip lock bag with one corner cut off with cashew date cream.
- Fill the strawberries with the cream and top with a blueberry. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Serve immediately on a pretty platter (strawberries will get mushy if you make too far ahead of time).
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in cold water for 4 hours
- 1 cup pitted dates, preferably Medjool, soaked in cold water for 4 hours
- 1 tbsp pure vanilla extract
- 1-2 pinches ground cinnamon, to taste
- Non-dairy unsweetened vanilla milk, for thinning
- Soak cashews and dates separately in cold water for 4 hours.
- Drain cashew and dates. Add dates, cashews, vanilla and cinnamon to high-powered blender or food processor fitted with S-shaped blade.
- Puree until creamy and smooth adding a tiny bit of non-dairy milk if too thick.
- Chill in Refrigerator minimum 1 hour or until ready to use.
Enjoy!
Jennifer
i didn't know it was this easy to make cashew date cream! soo innovative and delicious!!! how long do the strawberries last for filled with the cream?
Hi Junia 🙂
I'm not sure they didnt even make it back into the fridge! Lol I'm sure they would be fine overnight in the fridge. I'm making more today so I will test it out for you 😉 these are really really yummy though!
Xoxo
Jen 🙂
This look utterly amazing – festive and useful. And I have to say – your picture of them is top-notch!! It drew me right in.
Thanks Tamara! 😉
I hope you try these, they are super delish!
xoxo
Jen =)
GORGEOUS! And another thing that I can add to my "ways to use cashews" list.
Thanks Nikki =) I need to make more of these stat 😉
Jen
These are just so perfect to serve out on the porch! with some fresh juicy drinks!
Your bean burgers with chipotle bbq sauce are already on my to do for tomorrow!
-Richa @ Hobby And More Blog ,
Hobby And More on Facebook ,
twitter.com/betit19
Beautiful blog, Jennifer! I got the link from Lilly on Drfuhrman.com . I've starred some of your recipes for special-occasion cooking in the future!
I have a more modest blog at nutritarianrecipes.blogspot.com . I'd be honored if you'd take a peek. 🙂
Cindy
Looks divine…I love those raw cashew creams…they are so deluctably crazy divinely good! 😉
It's fun how you made it festive for the fourth! Now you need to make a Canadian version, lol!
Thanks Richa =) Let me know if you try the black bean burgers out, yummy =)
Cindy,
Thanks for stopping by, I'm honored that you came by! I checked out your blog, it's wonderful, keep up the good work =)
Charissa,
Thank you, how about just strawberries topped with raspberries? that would look beautiful! 😉
Thanks again for all your wonderful comments, I truly appreciate it =)
Jen
What a beautiful presentation and a healthy choice to serve your guests and family. Thank you.
Thank you Linda! If you try these definitely let me know 🙂 I appreciate your comment!
Jen 🙂
I’d never thought about combining dates and cashews, but thinking about it, they sound great together. And even better with some strawberries. 🙂
Hi CJ =)
it’s a yummy combo for sure!
Love cashew cream, love strawberries — I will totally try these! But for Halloween, not July 4. For one thing, it’s already September — and September 2013, at that. 🙂 And for another, the first thing I thought of when I saw the picture was, “Eek! Eyeballs!!!” 😯
yummy eyeballs though 😉
lol