Yes, this Garlic & Chive Spread looks and acts a lot like cream cheese. But – surprise! – it’s completely dairy free. Huzzah!
Now before you ask, “what is this SORCERY?!”, don’t freak out. This is actually a super simple recipe and will give you lots of dipping and smearing opportunities in your gluten and dairy free day. I make this Garlic & Chive Spread with two main ingredients: raw soaked cashews and coconut milk.
Click here to read how cashews are NOT legumes – and are therefore totally Paleo.
What’s the whole soaked nuts deal?
Before you whip up a batch of this Garlic & Chive Spread in your food processor or blender, you might want to hear about the whole nut-soaking thing. What does that mean? Before blending up your raw cashews, you need to soak them overnight (or at least for a few hours). Just pop them in a bowl and cover them with water. Add a little salt. Put them in the fridge overnight to soak. When you’re ready to make your spread, rinse and drain the raw soaked cashews. Soaking the cashews does a few different things: it softens them, which makes them easier to blend AND it helps to remove the phytic acid from the cashews.
Here’s why and how to soak yo nutz!
You can play around with the ratios in this recipe to come up with a version that suits you best. I make my Garlic & Chive Spread with a 1:1 ratio of soaked raw cashews to coconut milk because it sets nicely and doesn’t melt quickly at room temperature. However, you can also make it with a ratio of 1:2 raw soaked cashews and coconut milk. This spreads more easily straight from the fridge – but the downside is that it will melt much more quickly. So make your own version of this Garlic & Chive Spread depending on how you want to use it. Bear in mind that unlike commercially produced cream cheese spreads, this homemade version doesn’t have any preservatives or stabilizers, so you will need to keep it refrigerated and eat it within a week.
PrintGarlic & Chive Spread {paleo & dairy free}
If you want a creamy Garlic & Chive Spread that is Paleo, vegan & all around dairy free, try this simple recipe with minimal ingredients or fuss!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight, rinsed & drained
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 1/4 cup minced chives
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- In a food processor or blender, process the raw cashews until they begin to form a paste.
- Add all remaining ingredients except the fresh chives to the bowl and process until everything is smooth and combined. You will need to scrape the side of the bowl down a few times – and be patient, depending on how good your appliance is!
- Stir through the minced chives, then divide the mixture between two 4 oz mason jars.
- Refrigerate for at least 3 hours before using.
Notes
This spread will stay thick and creamy while it is chilled / cool. Once it starts to warm up, it will eventually melt.
You can play around with the ratios in this recipe to come up with a version that suits you best. This 1:1 ratio of soaked raw cashews to coconut milk sets nicely and doesn’t melt quickly at room temperature. You can also make it with a ratio of 1:2 soaked raw cashews and coconut milk. This spreads more easily straight from the fridge – but the downside is that it will melt much more quickly.
As someone who has just disovered they are allergic to dairy this looks fabulous!!
What’s that you’ve spread it on in the photo? Looks like dried banana slices 😛
Awesome site, thanks for the recipe 🙂
~Kaz x
They’re plantain chips, so very similar! 🙂
So you make your own plantain chips? I tried, but they were chewy, so I am looking for recipe for those.
I have to confess that those were store bought. I suspect that to really get them crispy rather than chewy, you would either need to fry sliced green plantains or perhaps try a dehydrator?
We sliced the green bananas and soaked them in a little sea salt and water. Then pat dry and fried them in coconut oil. Super crispy and SO yummy.
Yum! I keep meaning to make some crispy plantains this way, thanks for the reminder 🙂
Is the cashew butter that you buy at the store different from making your own cashew “paste”?
That kind of cashew butter is often roasted — if you can find a raw un-roasted version, then it would be the same. Hope that helps!
I’m so going to be trying this. Thanks for the recipe.
What a clever idea, love it!
Yummm! Made it this afternoon, and just, delish 🙂 Thanks for posting! At a later date, I may add some more coconut milk and make it into a salad dressing!
That’s how I make a ranch type dressing! Here it is: Almost Ranch Dressing
Is the coconut milk from a carton or the canned version?
I always use this canned full fat coconut milk as it has no emulsifiers or preservatives.
Hi, this looks great! How long can it be kept for?
At least a few days 🙂
Is the coconut milk canned full fat or rather from the carton to drink?
It’s just plain canned coconut milk — the beverage varieties of coconut milk are usually filled with additives or sweetened, which wouldn’t work here 🙂
Wow! This dip is phenomenal! I have had to be dairy-free for a few years now and I was missing spreads like this so much. You hit the nail on the head with this one. I’ll be making this on repeat. Thanks!
Yay, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂