Tasty Cashew Almond Pate: Raw Vegan Pate

If you are on a raw vegan diet and you are looking for a hearty pate recipe then you have come to the right place. Pate is the perfect accompaniment to crisp bread or crackers. It is great as a starter and as a snack. This delicious no-meat pate is easy to make and the ingredients are readily available in your local supermarket.

Ingredients

2 cups cashews, soaked but crunchy

¼ cup soaked almonds or almond butter (optional)

¼ cup sun-dried tomatoes, soaked

1 tablespoon Italian seasoning

2 tablespoons cilantro or parsley, minced

1 clove garlic, minced

1 tablespoon jalapeno pepper, mince

¼ up lemon juice

Tip: Soak the cashews in advance so you are not rushing around when it comes to you making the pate.

Step 1: Soak the cashews for 3 hours or you can soak them in the fridge for an hour. This will ensure that they are still crunchy.

Step 2: Put all the ingredients including the soaked and drained cashew nuts into a food processor. Process all the ingredients until smooth.

Step 3: Put the pate in a bowl and place in the fridge for half an hour to chill.

Facts about cashews

Cashews are originally from Brazil however, you can find them in most countries now. More 3 million tons of cashews are cultivated every year around the world. They are high in natural fats and low in cholesterol. They are excellent for pates and creamy dips; they also contain protein, carbohydrates and magnesium.

There are many health benefits associated with cashews. Here are just a couple of them, stay tuned for an in depth article on the many benefits of cashew nuts.

Cashews contain copper, which is essential for the proper circulation of iron in the body, it facilitates the elimination of free radicals, aids in bone and tissue reconstruction. It also plays a role in the production of melanin. Copper is vital for the body therefore, adequate copper intake is paramount. Studies have shown that people who are copper deficiant are more likely to develop anemia, osteoporosis and irregular heartbeat.

Magnesium

Cashews also contain magnesium, which is very important for the maintenance of the bones. Approximately 75 percent of magnesium in the body can be found in the bones. Therefore, proper magnesium consumption is vital. When we neglect our magnesium intake we are more likely to develop health issues such as, hypertension, asthma, migraines, anxiety and chronic fatigue. In a report published by NCBI in 2006, it stated that depression can be treated using magnesium.

“Magnesium treatment is hypothesized to be effective in treating major depression resulting from intraneuronal magnesium deficits. These magnesium ion neuronal deficits may be induced by stress hormones, excessive dietary calcium as well as dietary deficiencies of magnesium”

The recommended daily intake of magnesium for a male adult between the ages of 30-50 is 450mg and 320 mg for females. 553 calories of cashews contain 73 percent of the RDA of magnesium.