Spicy Mama Lil’s Sauce
Recipe by Danielle Lavallee
Years ago, when our diets were meat-centered, I used to regularly make steak and roasted potatoes. My hub would always make himself “fat sauce” for dipping his potatoes. We called it “fat sauce” because it was a combination of mayo and the oil from Mama Lil’s Kick Butt Peppers. It was delicious, but talk about a heart attack in the making!
I have been trying to replicate this sauce for him, and I finally mastered it. It is scrumptious and new family favorite. This Spicy Mama Lil’s Sauce is super simple to make, with only five main ingredients. Plus, it is packed with protein, high in vitamin C and antioxidants, and has a good dose of Omega-3 fats from the hemp hearts. It still has that delicous Mama Lil’s flavor, but it is so much better for us than “fat sauce!”
Special Equipment Needed: High-Speed Blender
Ingredients:
1/2 cup of raw cashews
2 tablespoons hemp hearts
Juice of 2 lemons
1/2 cup Mama Lil's Kick Butt Peppers, oil drained off.
If you like it spicy, I recommend the Kick Butt variety. The regular Mama Lil’s peppers would also be great, and they are easier to find (even at Costco). Or, you can use any jarred spicy peppers of your choosing.1 cup water (or more, as needed to thin the sauce)
Small splash of tamari or soy sauce (This is optional if you are watching your sodium levels. If not, I recommend it, as it adds an extra layer of umami flavor.)
Salt to taste
Instructions:
Soak the cashews in boiling water for a half hour to make them easier to blend.
Once the cashews are soaked, strain off the liquid.
Place all the ingredients into the container of a high-speed blender.
Blend on medium-high until smooth and creamy.
Taste and adjust your seasonings, adding more peppers or lemon juice, as desired.
This sauce is great on burgers, on Banh Mi noodle bowls, for dipping sweet potato fries, or on anything where you need a spicy boost. We enjoy it on “crab” cakes with seedy slaw.
www.thewell-nourishedbrain.com/blog/crab-cakes-seedy-slaw-and-spicy-sauce
I love it when you can tweak a recipe to be plant-based and yet retain the flavor of old favorites, all while dramatically improving the nutrient density. Yay, plants!
Happy Eating!
🌱💕
P.S. If you are having trouble finding Mama Lil’s Kick Butt Peppers and you would like to try them, we buy ours by the case directly from the manufacturer in Portland, Oregon. www.mamalils.com I don’t get any compensation from Mama Lil’s, although I really should, as I talk about them so often. 😊