CUCUMBER BITES W/CASHEW-SPINACH-BASIL DIP

Yield: 1-1/2 cups

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With an abundance of basil in my garden, I am always trying to think of new ways to use it! I created this delicious dip incorporating basil, spinach and cashews! It goes perfectly with cucumbers (also growing in my garden), as a dip for any of your favorite veggies, and even as a salad dressing.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw cashews, soaked and drained
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup fresh herbs: basil and parsley
• Juice of one or two lemons (depending on how much lemon flavor you want)
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. sea salt
• water, to thin out as needed

 
Directions:

1. Add cashews to a glass bowl and cover with 1” of water. Soak for about 15 minutes then rinse and drain.  (Soaking nuts increases the natural enzymes and helps provide greater absorption of the nutrients and increases digestibility)
2. Add spinach, herbs, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil and salt to a blender* and combine well. 
3. Add cashews to blender and blend all until smooth and creamy.
4. Add water to get the desired thickness.
5. Serve as a vegetable dip or salad dressing.

For cucumber bites:

1. Peel cucumber, if desired, and cut into 1” thick rounds
2. Add about 1 tbsp. of cashew-spinach-basil dip on top of cucumber round.
3. Top with a ½ cherry or grape tomato.

*For best results, use a high speed blender like my favorite... the Vita Mix!