When we talk about dessert, one that can be considered a great choice is cheesecake. There are so many varieties of cheesecake, but most would think it simply cannot pass the Paleo standard. But the truth is, some sweet treats can be changed to Paleo-friendly desserts that can satisfy a sweet tooth.
If you think you cannot enjoy your all-time favorite desserts when you go all Paleo, this recipe will change your mind. The Paleo diet also has a great number of snacks and desserts under its food list. These desserts are still very enticing and delicious, and these desserts are also filled with nutritious ingredients that can keep you energized throughout the day. This recipe is an example of a nutritious and delicious Paleo dessert.
If you have never made a cheesecake before, then this recipe will definitely help to make such a dessert a blast. This recipe has ingredients that boost your health. But there is one particular ingredient that is a nutritious food even on its own. Cashew nuts are considered to be one of the healthiest nuts. These can be eaten on their own, or can be added to salads or desserts, just like in this recipe. So before we go to our featured recipe, here are a few things that you must know about cashew nuts and why you need to start adding them to your Paleo diet food list, too.
Cashew Nuts And Paleo
If you are wondering if cashew nuts are Paleo, the answer is yes. Cashew nuts are included in Paleo food lists because they, along with other nuts and seeds, are the kinds of foods eaten by our ancestors when they didn’t enjoy a successful hunt. Foraging became a way of life for our ancestors to survive in the wild. Cashew nuts come from cashew trees that are native to Brazil but are also found in Nigeria, the Ivory Coast, and Vietnam. The cashew apple is edible and is even made into a fruit drink in Latin America. However, because of its fragile skin, only the seed of the cashew fruit can be used for export.
Cashew nuts or simply cashew have become a favorite amongst many diet plans. This is not surprising since cashew is one of the healthiest nuts. Cashew is rich in monounsaturated fatty acids which help reduce bad cholesterol and increase the levels of good cholesterol. It is also packed with dietary fiber which can help get rid of extra fat deposits and boost a person’s metabolism. Cashew is also packed with minerals and vitamins which keeps the body healthy, along with its antioxidant components which reduce the risk of diseases and cancers.
Why Soak Cashews?
Cashew is definitely healthy and Paleo. But just like other foods, cashew also has its share of potential dangers. Just like other seeds and nuts, cashews may release a strong toxin in order to protect itself from its natural enemies, animals. Cashews have phytates, a substance that is responsible for binding the nutrients from other foods. Bonded nutrients can no longer be absorbed by the body which can result in a deficit of nutrients that keeps our body in good shape and protected against diseases. These, along with other natural toxins are the natural pesticides of cashew as well as other plants.
The solution for getting rid of these toxins is fairly easy. If you have heard people soaking raw nuts, they are doing a great job in removing the toxins. Soaking nuts in a water and salt solution removes the toxins effectively. The soaking time of nuts varies, and with cashews, it should be no longer than 6 hours. Nuts will then be dried or dehydrated using an oven. This will remove the water and make them extra crispy.
Now that you have all this information about cashews, here is the recipe that will be at the top of your list of healthy and tasty desserts!
Raw Vanilla Bean Cheesecake
Recipe type: Baking
Cuisine: Dessert
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
- 150 g (1 Cup) Medjool Dates - Pitted
- 300 g (2 Cups) Pecan Halves
- 300 g (2 Cups) Cashew Nuts - Soaked
- 1 Fresh Vanilla Bean Pod - Seeds
- 120 ml (1/2 Cup) Fresh Lime Juice
- 150 ml (1/2 Cup plus 2 Tablespoons) Organic Maple Syrup
- 60 ml (1/4 Cup) Filtered Water
- 160 ml (3/4 Cup) Coconut Oil - Melted
- 1.20 g (1/4 Teaspoon) Sea Salt
- • Prepare your cheesecake pan by lining it with parchment paper. Also, get some tin foil ready to cover the pan. Set these aside to use later.
- • In a food processor, place the dates and the pecan halves. Process until they form a sticky mixture.
- • Once you have the sticky date and pecan mixture, get your prepared cheesecake pan and pour the mixture into the pan as this will be the base of your cheesecake. Clean your food processor for the next step.
- • Take the soaked cashew nuts and place in the processor with the lime juice, maple syrup, coconut oil, filtered water, vanilla bean seeds and salt. Make sure you drain the cashews well before placing in the processor.
- • Process the ingredients until a smooth mixture is produced. Pour this mixture on top of the date-pecan base you made earlier.
- • Using a spatula, smooth the top of the cashew mixture. Cover the cheesecake pan using the tin foil.
- • Put the pan in the freezer overnight. Remove the cheesecake 30 minutes before serving.
- • Slice and top with your preferred fruits and/or sauces. Serve and enjoy your cheesecake!
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This dessert is easy and fun to make, and making this dessert can be a great activity you can enjoy with your kids or loved ones. Having this on your table will complete your meal. This dessert will definitely prove to be another hit with you and your loved ones!
