Recipes Dips, Spreads and Sauces

Dried apricots are rehydrated and blended to create a natural whole food spread. Use it to replace processed high sugar jams and to naturally sweeten and flavour other foods like smoothies and porridge.

Coriander and Mint sauce is a popular sauce in many cultures. I have created a dairy recipe which incorporates yoghurt and a dairy-free version, which uses cashews.

Dried fruits like dates are a good source of many nutrients. This easy to make spread tastes great and is ideal for naturally sweetening other dishes.

This easy to make fig-spread tastes great, is packed with nutrients and may be used to sweeten and add an interesting flavour to other dishes.

Any soft fruit may be blended to give a fresh fruity sauce. Perfect with pancakes, yoghurt and rice pudding!

Hummus is a tasty dip made from chick peas. An ideal accompaniment to crispy raw vegetables like carrots, cucumbers and celery.

Virgin coconut oil and butter are predominantly saturated fats and can be difficult to spread when cold. This recipe shows you how to make your own soft butter-based spreads. Many commercial butter-based spreads do not specify the blending oil used.

Homemade nut butters are a good source of protein without containing preservatives, damaging fats, salt and sugar, which are normally found in commercial brands

Many cultures have been clarifying butter, which helps it last longer. In India and Pakistan clarified butter is known as ghee. The added benefit is that unlike butter, ghee can withstand cooking at higher temperatures. Homemade clarified butter has a fresh buttery scent unlike commercial varieties.

Sprouted hummus is made from cooked sprouted chick peas. It contains a higher level of vitamins and minerals than non-sprouted chick peas due to the sprouting process.

Miyoko Schinner's recipe for Artisan Vegan Butter, is a great way of introducing beneficial oils and fats into the diet as a spread. I had a go with a few tweaks and the results were excellent.

Pesto is great for flavouring sprouted grains and accompanying fresh vegetables. I've left the cheese out to make a tasty dairy-free version.