Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

I have been wanting to create a pasta dish with a butternut sage sauce. I saw an entree once with that sauce and thought it sounded so rich and beautiful.  I paired whole wheat gnocchi, (which I have never made until now) with  roasted butternut squash, fresh sage and raw cashews for the creamiest, dreamiest dish. My appetite was whet first by the color of the sauce and then by the aroma. This may be my new favorite comfort food.

Gnocchi w/Butternut Sage Cream Sauce

Photo By: S. Duquet

By: S. Duquet

Ingredients

Makes enough sauce for 2 pkgs (six servings) of gnocchi with a bit of sauce left over.

2 Pkgs 18 oz each vegan gnocchi of your choice

5 C cubed butternut squash (probably 2 medium whole)

4 garlic cloves

2 handfuls of fresh sage. One for roasting and the other to throw in the pot while cooking the gnocchi

1 1/2 C  raw cashews, soaked in water in the fridge for several hours then drained before using

3/4 C non dairy milk (I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk)

4 tsp liquid aminos

2 tsp Turmeric

1 tsp rubbed sage

1 C veg broth

Small handful of raw pine nuts and a few fresh sage leaves for the top of each serving.

Photo By: S. Duquet

Make It Happen

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Put cubed squash, garlic and fresh sage in a casserole dish with enough water to just cover the bottom. Cover and bake until tender. Approx 40 minutes.

~Remove lid and allow to cool. Take out sage sprigs and discard.

~Put squash and remaining ingredients (except pine nuts and 1 handful of sage) in food processor and blend until very creamy.

~Cook gnocchi according to package instructions. I threw a handful of fresh sage into the water to scent the gnocchi. I used two 18 oz packages of whole wheat gnocchi.

This sauce is a conundrum for me because it was the richest most dense sauce I have ever had while still being light and bright. It was superbly satisfying without making you feel stuffed. I think you are going to love this one.

Have a delicious weekend and  a Happy Easter.

Tags: 30 day challenge, butternut cream sauce, butternut sage cream sauce, butternut sage sauce, compassionate eating, dairy free, plant based diet, trying vegan, vegan cream sauce, vegan entree, vegan gnocchi recipe, vegan recipe, vegan wannabe