Copycat Yumm Sauce

We love Cafe Yumm, a local favorite “healthy fast food” chain. I hit the easy-dinner jackpot when I learned how to make Yumm Sauce at home, and then discovered it freezes just fine. Now I keep portions on hand in the freezer and thaw one out while the rice cooks.

Yumm Sauce

Makes 2 cups, about 16 servings

Main Ingredients:

• 15 oz can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/2 cup almond butter or almond meal/flour
• 2/3 cup nutritional yeast
• 1/2 cup lemon juice (3 large or 6 small lemons)
• 3-4 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp curry powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup best-quality extra virgin olive oil, or avocado oil, or a combination

Optional, if you have them on hand:

• 2 Tbsp soy sauce (add salt to taste if omitting)
• 3-4 sprigs cilantro or other fresh herbs
• A pinch or two oregano or other dried herbs
• 1/4 tsp paprika for that authentic Yumm look

Instructions:

Add all ingredients except oil to blender or food processor and process until smooth. Add oil in a thin stream while the machine is running. Add water a Tbsp at a time, if needed to thin the consistency to that of ketchup. (It will thicken slightly in the fridge.) Store in the fridge in an airtight container; freeze if keeping longer than a week.

To serve, assemble bowls according to personal preference:

• Brown rice
• Black beans
• Yumm Sauce
• Sour cream
• Grated cheese
• Chopped cilantro
• Chopped green onions
• Chopped tomatoes
• Salsa
• Sliced olives
• Avocado
• In a departure from the restaurant standard, we tried pickled red onions and they are a keeper!