I like to be fancy sometimes. It goes all the way back to when I was four and I insisted that all of my swimsuits have ruffles. My mother encouraged my love of all things fancy by using cookie cutters to cut out most of my sandwiches as a child (at the very least, she would remove the crusts), so my memories of childhood lunches include egg-salad sandwiches shaped like bunny rabbits and bolonga (I know, ewwwwww!) sandwiches in the shape of a heart. In my 20′s, I told my best friend that “I am so glamorous, I piss glitter” (we were drinking champagne and watching Mean Girls and it made so much more sense at the time), a statement that earned me a nickname that I don’t care to share right now.
Even today, in my much more grounded 30′s, I still try to be fancy on occasion. I like to wear high heels. When the groomer attaches a little bow to Samantha’s collar, I leave it on for awhile (much to Sam’s dismay) because it’s so darn cute. I try to make a nice presentation of the food I prepare, just because it makes the meal just a little more exciting. This includes snacks. Recently, I took a normal Saturday afternoon snack and turned it into a fancy appetizer, fit for a party.
What would normally be hummus became a Carrot Cashew Pâté. When I would have normally prepared some assorted veggies for dipping, cucumber slices became platforms for this delicious spread. The pâté combines a savoriness from the Bragg Liquid Aminos with sweetness from the carrots and nuttiness from the cashews, a taste that is terribly addiciting. Served upon crisp, refreshing cucumber slices and topped with crunchy pieces of cashews, this little afternoon snack made us feel like we should be a little more dressed up for the occasion.
This pâté works perfectly as a sandwich spread and also as a dip for veggies and crackers for those casual times when your hummus needs a break. Whether you’re feeling fancy or not, this pâté will definitely put a little glamour in your life!
CARROT CASHEW PÂTÉ
Ingredients:
- 1 cup grated carrot
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for about 1 hour
- 2 T Bragg Liquid Aminos
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ½ tsp white miso
- ½ tsp thyme
- ½ tsp paprika
- salt and pepper to taste.
Instructions:
- In the bowl of a food processor, combine the carrots and cashews and process for about 1 minute. Add the remainder of the ingredients and process until smooth.
- Let chill 1 hour prior to serving to allow the flavors to fully marry. Serve by itself as a dip for bread, pita, crackers, or vegetable crudité; or use for a canapé spread.
CARROT CASHEW PÂTÉ CUCUMBER CANAPÉ
Ingredients:
- 1 recipe of carrot cashew pâté
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- ¼ cup toasted cashews, finely chopped
Instructions:
- Spoon about 1 heaping tablespoon of pâté onto each cucumber slice. Sprinkle cashew pieces on top of each. Serve cold. Enjoy!
All Photos taken by Chris Miller
© Kristy Turner and Keepin’ It Kind, 2012. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material (content and images) without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Kristy Turner and Keepin’ It Kind with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
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I’m imagining a 1950s era cocktail party
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Me too, my friend, me too.
oh my! those are such elegant little bites! I love the fabulous color of the pate! This sounds absolutely delicious! cashews are so amazing for their versatility:) thanks for sharing Kristy!
Thank you, Caralyn! I had already made this when you posted your broccoli cupcakes and your carrot frosting totally reminded me of this. Great minds!
haha! “i’m so glamorous i piss glitter!” that is outstanding. as are these lovely canapes. i love how simple the recipe is! they look delicious, i can’t wait to try it
I love this. Pinkies up!
Pinkies up is right! You know how to get it done!
this is such a coool idea. perfect fancy name snack:). love the color play in the pictures! how are you managing a post everyday:)
Thank you, Richa! I don’t quite know how I’m managing it, to tell you the truth. I guess creativity ebbs and flows and right now I suppose it’s on a flow.
I love bite sized foods! They are just so cute and munchable
These look so good, I love the contrasting colours too!
Thank ya, Gabby! Mini-foods are just the most fun!
This looks amazing and seems like the taste would be out of this world
Thank you, CJ!
Cashews, oh it’s so versatile. I never thought! You go for being fancy! Nothing wrong with that
They are, aren’t they?! Right up there with chickpeas!
I was hoping you’d confess to your nickname by the end of the post… *whispers* Come on and tell us… We won’t tell anyone. Right, guys?
Hahaha! I’m not going to tell you, but I’ll give you a hint: It starts with Glitter and rhymes with “Hisser.”
Ohhh these are just adorable, daaahhhling! hehe. I’m still in giggles over the glitter comment. Love it.
Thank you, daaaahhhhhling! I think we need to be munching on these, in cute 1950′s party dresses, martinis in hand, and pinkies in the air! And we’ll say “daaaaahhhhhling” a lot, I imagine.
Yum! Carrot cashew paté sounds fantastic! Love your presentation too. Perfect for an outdoor party this summer.
Have a great week!
Thank you, Courtney! I’m actually thinking about using them in a party I’m planning for later this summer! I hope you have a great week as well!
What a fun and simple recipe – I love being “fancy”, even if it is just the 2 of us; pretty food is so much fun to eat
oh the things we say while cocktailing it up – hilarious!
Being fancy is always so fun- especially when it’s just the two of you! These guys are so fancy they’re screaming for cocktails and crazy words coming out of our mouths!
I will live vicariously fancy through you. I have no fancy skills and I’m lucky if I get food on a plate without smearing it everywhere!
You should see my kitchen- she and the mess she is covered in would beg to differ with my fancy claims!
Phew, I was starting to think you’re perfect!
Not even close!