vegan tzatziki

Tzatziki is something I miss a lot, I do eat yoghurt sometimes but only when very necessary (like after burning my mouth on hot chillies). This is my new substitute!

This version is based on the recipe from Veganomicon, which seemed good, but contained some random stuff that I pooh-poohed. This is my version, it is delicious!

Tzatziki
1/2 cup raw cashews
1 medium lebanese cucumber
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 clove garlic
1 tbspn extra virgin olive oil
juice of 1/2 a lemon
2 sprigs mint

Soak the cashews in boiling water (enough to cover) for about 30 mins. Drain.
Grate the cucumber (peel if you like).
Put the cashews, 2/3 of the cucumber, the salt, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice into a food processor.
Squeeze the liquid out of the other 1/3 of the cucumber. Place the squeezed cucumber aside, pour the squeezed liquid into the food processor.
Blend! It takes a little while, but you should end up with a smooth-ish paste. You may need to add more water, I ended up adding about 1 tbspn extra water.
Mix in the reserved cucumber & shredded mint.
You can drizzle over a little extra olive oil.

I served mine with some toasted pita bread - I rubbed olive oil & ras el hanout into one side, then baked until crispy.