All-Purpose Vegan Cheese Sauce

This recipe is somewhat similar to my Mexican Flavored Nacho Cheese Sauce - Vegan, however, there is FAR less nutritional yeast in this mix. Nutritional yeast is an aquired taste for some, so this is a nice, mild tasting vegan cheese sauce, that can be served plain over veggies or with chips, OR spiced-up accordingly (ie cumin, chili powder, diced tomatoes & chillies, vegan taco meat...possibilities are endless) For the spices listed below, feel free to use 'heaping" teaspoons. The cashews can be soaked ahead of time to ensure that they puree smoothly, but this is not necessary. I heated my cashews, plus the water, in a glass measuring cup for about 4-5 minutes in the microwave to soften them a bit...

• Ready In: 30 mins
• Serves: 8
• Yields: 2 cups

Ingredients

• 1 3⁄4 cups water
• 1  cup raw cashews
• 8  ounces pimentos, with liquid
• 3⁄4 teaspoon paprika
• 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1⁄2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 2  teaspoons yellow mustard
• 1⁄4 cup nutritional yeast

Directions

1. Add ingredients to blender and puree until very smooth (a good 5-6 mintues). Scrape down sides as you go.
2. Add mixture to sauce pan over low to medium low heat.
3. Wisk until thickened, about 15-20 minutes.