All in Small Bites
This Chipotle Cashew Queso is so easy and quick. Like really quick. Like, from “Hey, do you want a snack?” to warm cheesy queso dip in just a few minutes quick! It might seem like a lot of spices or ingredients, but trust us, they all lean on each other and build and balance flavors to achieve cheesy magic… We’ve written some detailed tips below to help you make the best of your pantry situation, and even included two versions of the actual recipe for different types of blenders.
To take inspiration from these flavors and turn them into the ultimate vegan aperitivo bite, we had to get creative! We took a look at all the elements that make piccata so wonderful and reverse-engineered an easy, delicious appetizer (erm, antipasto)! It’s made up of pantry staples and hearty produce with long shelf lives, too, so it’s even practical in a quarantine kitchen… Cannellini beans provide a starchy base of protein while olive oil that’s been infused with garlic and pepper flakes becomes a buttery, savory framework to hold every other flavor in balance. Sautéing the capers softens their briny bite and white wine vinegar works as a no-cook solution to provide the flavor and fruity acidity of white wine without getting you tipsy on hors d'oeuvres. (Though we do recommend serving this dish with a glass of your favorite white wine — or, even better, a spritz!)
This is an extremely versatile recipe. We’ve included three different variations: Plain, Onion, and Kale. We encourage you to come up with your own variations and let us know how they are! This recipe can serve nearly any situation you find yourself in. From meals to party food, farinata can do it all. Pair it with a simple salad or roasted vegetables, top it with pesto or tomato jam… Possibilities abound!
