Description
A flavorful vegan version of classic chili cheese fries featuring seasoned jicama fries dehydrated to a tender crispness, topped with a creamy cashew tomato cheese sauce and fresh, zesty salsa. Perfect as a healthy, dairy-free snack or appetizer with a spicy kick.
Ingredients
Scale
Jicama Fries
- 1 small jicama
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp chipotle powder
- 1 tsp nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- pinch of salt
Cashew Tomato Cheese Sauce
- 1 cup cashews
- 1/2 cup tomato or red bell pepper
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 tsp nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp lemon juice
- pinch of sea salt
Salsa
- 1 large tomato
- 1/8 cup cilantro
- 1 garlic ramp (or substitute with garlic clove)
- 1/2 scallion
- 1 tbsp lemon or lime juice
Instructions
- Prepare Jicama Fries: Peel and cut the jicama into matchsticks about 1/4 to 1/2 inch thick, ensuring even pieces for uniform dehydration.
- Season Jicama: Toss the jicama sticks with chili powder, chipotle powder, nutritional yeast, turmeric powder, and a pinch of salt, coating evenly with the spices.
- Dehydrate Fries: Spread the seasoned jicama evenly on a dehydrator tray. Dehydrate at 115°F (46°C) for approximately 1 hour, or until the jicama pieces begin to wilt on the outside but retain some firmness.
- Soak Cashews: While the jicama dehydrates, soak the cashews in water for 15 minutes to soften for blending.
- Make Cashew Tomato Cheese: Drain the soaked cashews and combine them in a blender with 1/2 cup tomato or red bell pepper, 1/4 cup water, 1 tsp nutritional yeast, 1/2 tsp lemon juice, and a pinch of sea salt. Blend until smooth and creamy, adjusting consistency with water as needed.
- Prepare Salsa: Dice the large tomato, mince the cilantro, garlic ramp, and scallion by hand for a fresh salsa. Alternatively, pulse all ingredients lightly in a blender with 1 tbsp lemon or lime juice for a quicker option, maintaining some texture.
- Assemble Chili Cheese Fries: Plate the dehydrated jicama fries, spoon the creamy cashew tomato cheese evenly on top, and garnish with the fresh salsa. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast between the spicy fries, creamy cheese sauce, and bright salsa.
Notes
- Jicama fries are dehydrated rather than fried for a healthier alternative with a unique texture.
- Soaking cashews is essential for achieving a smooth, creamy cheese sauce.
- Use fresh herbs and ramps or garlic substitutes to enhance salsa flavor.
- Dehydrator temperature and time may vary slightly depending on model and slice thickness.
- This recipe is vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, suitable for many dietary preferences.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Snack, Appetizer
- Method: Dehydrating
- Cuisine: Vegan, American-inspired
Keywords: chili cheese fries, vegan cheese sauce, jicama fries, dehydrated fries, cashew cheese, vegan snack, healthy fries, dairy-free
