A question about a recipe: Coffee Panna Cotta with Cacao Nibs

I have a question about step 1 on the recipe "Coffee Panna Cotta with Cacao Nibs" from artandlemons. It says:
"To make cashew cream: grind 1 cup raw cashews with 1 cup water in a high speed blender until smooth and creamy—save extra to stir into oatmeal or soup."

I know it sounds weird but I don't have a blender and am not sure when I will. Is there something else I can use in place of the cashew cream? Perhaps smooth cashew butter, maybe mixed with some milk? What consistency should this end up being?
Thanks!

Kt4
  • Posted by: Kt4
  • March 6, 2012
  • 2053 views
  • 6 Comments

6 Comments

susan G. March 7, 2012
Let's not forget, all our electric tools are recent history. Maybe you don't want to pound your corn when you make tortillas, but people did -- and some still do. I've recently started using the mortar and pestle that I was given over 40 years ago, and find it works well, simply, with barely and clean up. Most of the time I'd rather wash my hands than the food processor. However, I do love it, and the immersion blender too. (Watch for a good buy, or a yard sale or thrift shop. Do you know about freecycle.com? You post what you'd like to get or what you'd like to give away, and very often you find the matching person -- all free.)
 
Kt4 March 7, 2012
Oh yeah, I heard of freecycle.com a while back and completely forgot about it. That might be a goldmine where I live now... a university town with people moving in-&-out frequently.
I had amassed a wonderful kitchen with lots of multi-use items and a few fun gadgets but had to leave it behind about 1 year ago. I only had enough room to take my most-loved saute pan, a few basic stone oven pans, my favorite knife, and limited cooking utensils. While I look forward to the day when I can have my kitchen back, I find I'm being reminded that it doesn't take much to cook/bake wonderful things when you're surrounded by people who appreciate you :)
 
Kt4 March 7, 2012
oops... freecycle.org
thank you for the reminder!
 
Sam1148 March 7, 2012
Have you considered a stick blender? Far most useful than a full blender.
 
Kt4 March 7, 2012
Thanks for the idea! I hadn't thought of that. I'll certainly keep it in mind when I'm able to scrape together some funds.
 
susan G. March 7, 2012
I think you'll do fine with the cashew butter, thinned with water (keeping to the water in the original), similar to the way water is blended with tahini. A strong wire whisk or a spoon will work, adding the liquid slowly.
 
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