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!
Ingredients
- 1 cup grated carrot
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked for about 1 hour
- 2 tablespoons Bragg Liquid Aminos
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon white miso
- ½ teaspoon thyme
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cucumber, sliced into 1/2 inch slices
- ¼ cup toasted cashews, finely chopped
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.
- Spoon about 1 heaping tablespoon of pâté onto each cucumber slice. Sprinkle cashew pieces on top of each. Serve cold. Enjoy!
Photography by Chris Miller
Annie
I'm imagining a 1950s era cocktail party :-).
keepinitkind
Me too, my friend, me too. 🙂
Caralyn @ glutenfreehappytummy
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!
keepinitkind
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! 🙂
Caitlin
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 😉
Kristen
I love this. Pinkies up!
keepinitkind
Pinkies up is right! You know how to get it done! 😉
Richa@HobbyandMore
this is such a coool idea. perfect fancy name snack:). love the color play in the pictures! how are you managing a post everyday:)
keepinitkind
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. 🙂
Gabby @ the veggie nook
I love bite sized foods! They are just so cute and munchable 🙂
These look so good, I love the contrasting colours too!
keepinitkind
Thank ya, Gabby! Mini-foods are just the most fun! 🙂
CJ at Food Stories
This looks amazing and seems like the taste would be out of this world 🙂
keepinitkind
Thank you, CJ!
Richgail @AstigVegan
Cashews, oh it's so versatile. I never thought! You go for being fancy! Nothing wrong with that 😉
keepinitkind
They are, aren't they?! Right up there with chickpeas! 🙂
Cadry
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?
keepinitkind
Hahaha! I'm not going to tell you, but I'll give you a hint: It starts with Glitter and rhymes with "Hisser." 😀
Bex @ Vegan Sparkles
Ohhh these are just adorable, daaahhhling! hehe. I'm still in giggles over the glitter comment. Love it. 🙂
keepinitkind
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. 🙂
Courtney Jones
Yum! Carrot cashew paté sounds fantastic! Love your presentation too. Perfect for an outdoor party this summer.
Have a great week! 🙂
keepinitkind
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! 🙂
Heather
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!
keepinitkind
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! 🙂
Somer
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!
keepinitkind
You should see my kitchen- she and the mess she is covered in would beg to differ with my fancy claims! 😉
Somer
Phew, I was starting to think you're perfect! 😉
keepinitkind
Not even close! 😀