Cashew Sesame Dressing

This tangy cashew sesame dressing can’t wait to find a home in lots of different Asian dishes, especially those with soba or udon noodles. It’s also perfect as a dipping sauce for Asian dumplings or a dressing for Asian slaw. Try it soon and you’ll be hooked.

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About this cashew sesame dressing

This dressing brings out the flavors in many Asian dishes. We use it as a dipping sauce for veggie or shrimp dumplings and on our shrimp with soba noodles recipe. I used to have this dressing combined with the sesame ginger dressing, but I decided to give each recipe its own post. Even though they’re variations on a theme, there are times I really want the cashews in the dressing and times when I just want a simple Asian dressing. I know this site is about easy processes, but I think you’ll find that the extra step of making the cashew puree will pay off.

Using this cashew sesame dressing in a recipe adds texture, flavor, protein, and other nutrients. The cashew puree adds some body to this dressing, and cashews have some health benefits too. Go here for more info about the health benefits of cashews. It turns out that sesame oil is healthy for you too. Check that out here.

Ingredients

This dressing starts with a cup of unsalted, raw cashews:

The rest of the ingredients round things out:

• Miso paste – Adds a salty umami flavor.
• Oils – Use sunflower or other light oil and sesame oil for the distinctive Asian flavor.
• Honey – Adds sweetness to offset the other flavors. Substitute agave nectar or brown sugar to make this dressing vegan.
• Sesame seeds – Sprinkle on at the end for a little added flavor and texture.
• Cashew puree – Made from soaked, raw cashews.
• Garlic – For a nice allium flavor.
• Ginger – Adds a spicy flavor.
• Liquid ingredients – Soy sauce, Lime juice, & Rice vinegar

Making Cashew puree

Step 1: Soak the cashews

1. Put a cup of unsalted cashews into a bowl and cover them with water.
2. Let them soak for two hours and then drain the water.

Step 2: Blend the soaked cashews

1. Put the soaked cashews in your blender.
2. Add half a cup of water and pulse until the cashew puree is creamy.

That’s it for the cashew puree. You don’t need any seasoning because you’re the other ingredients add all the flavor you’ll need.

Making the Cashew sesame dressing

Step 1: Mix the liquid ingredients

1. After you’ve made your cashew puree, gather up the rest of your ingredients.
2. Measure everything and add it to a measuring cup.
3. Use a wire whisk to stir those ingredients.

Step 2: Add the cashew puree

1. Add in the cashew puree and stir things until they’re all combined.
2. Now, this cashew sesame dressing is ready to pour on some noodles.

Tips for making and using leftover Cashew puree

The recipe calls for ½ cup of cashew puree but the recipe makes a whole cup. So, why do the instructions say to make a cup, and what do you do with the leftover puree? Getting a small amount of pureed cashews out of the blender can be a pain. For that reason, I make a whole cup of it. Soaking and pureeing the cashews is the most time-consuming part of this dressing. When I make an entire cup of the puree, I save the remainder in the freezer. The next time I want to make the dressing I just thaw that puree and the dressing comes together quickly.

easy hacks for this cashew sesame dressing

Grating ginger, squeezing limes, and mincing garlic are all fun things to do. Wait, what? They can be fun things to do when you have lots of time and you’re into the whole Zen of cooking thing. But there are times when you’re in a hurry. Don’t feel guilty about using squeeze bottles of lime juice in the produce section of your grocery store. While you’re there check out the tubes of ginger and garlic. We keep all of these items on hand. Yeah, sometimes we do it all from scratch and sometimes we take the easy way. No judgment here.

Other recipes you might like

• Sesame Ginger Dressing
• Spicy Peanut Dressing
• Shrimp with Soba Noodles