{VeganMoFo} Apple Chowder with Maple Cashew Butter

JD and CH are currently on vacation in the Finger Lakes region of New York - sampling lovely vegan food, visiting adorable animals at Farm Sanctuary, and enjoying the wine trails at Seneca Lake (with limited internet access).  As a result, this Monday's VeganMoFo breakfast post will revisit an oldie, but goodie:  Apple Chowder with Maple Cashew Butter (now including the recipe!).

Dear reader, let me introduce you to the most fabulous breakfast that you'll ever meet. His name is Apple Chowder, and I have no doubt that once you see him in person, it'll be love at first sight.

Now, I know what you're thinking:

"I worked so hard to snag Mr. Popularity (aka: "Johnny Cereal"), and now that our "routine" is down to just 5 mins, why in God's name would I wanna leave him?"

or

"But Old Reliable (aka: "Oatie Oatmeal") and I have been kickin' it since the days of middle school, and he's always been so good to my heart - I'm not taking a chance on someone who might break it!"

Don't worry, I completely understand. You and your breakfast already have a great relationship going, right? I mean, it's not like you get hungry before noon is it? And you're certainly not getting tired of having the same thing over and over again, are you?

Heh.

Just to be clear, I would never implore you to completely abandon your breakfast of choice. I understand that there's something inherently comforting about having a breakfast routine, no matter how simple it might be.

My go-to "breakfast" is typically a Kashi granola bar, a piece of fruit, and a travel-mug of hot tea (Earl Grey or Darjeeling). So, believe me, I'm all for breakfast routines...

However, I also know that you shouldn't underestimate the power of adding something new - and delicious - to the start of your day. So go ahead, see if you can resist this bowl of crisp, juicy fruit topped with a decadent, maple-nut butter drizzle. It might make your regular breakfast jealous, but Mr. Chowder is totally worth it.

Recipe: Apple Chowder with Maple Cashew Butter
Serves: 2-3

Chowder Ingredients:
2-3 medium apples (two varieties) of your choice, diced
1/2 c. chopped pecans, roughly hopped
1/2 c. chopped walnuts, roughly chopped

Maple Cashew Butter Ingredients:
1/2 c. cashew butter
2 Tbsp. maple syrup
a dash of vanilla extract
a dash of salt
water for thinning

Toppings:
1/4 c. raisins
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. mace

1) In a medium-sized bowl, combine diced apples, pecans, & walnuts.  Set aside.
2) In a small food processor, process cashew butter ingredients until smooth & creamy, adding water to thin to desired consistency.
3) Divide apple chowder into 2 bowls, top with raisins, sprinkle with cinnamon & mace, & drizzle with maple cashew butter.  Serve immediately, storing any remaining cashew butter in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

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