Wannabe Recipea: Mmmm Sauce
At first glance, you’d think I have nothing in common with our friend, Scott.
And that’s just how I like it.
He wears Nike and I’m loyal to Adidas.
He likes Alternative Rock and I can’t even load songs on my iPhone.
He enjoys spending nine innings at the ball park, whereas I finish my bag of kettle corn and I’m out.
It’s the perfect friendship.
Scott can keep right on taking Pea Daddy to the Nike store, Slash concert and Mariners’ games, and I’ll hang out in my Adidas sweats, waiting on my iPhone that refuses to sync and eating homemade kettle corn that didn’t cost $8. Thank you very much.
But as we sat eating dinner together Saturday, me having negotiated meeting at a vegan-friendly restaurant where I could get a tempeh salad and Scott could order a bacon cheeseburger, I realized how much Scott and I have in common.
We don’t apologize to the other for our food choices. Nor should we.
We both hate running but do it anyway. We shouldn’t.
We both irritate our spouses by reading a blog about Peas via iPhone in our bed each night. We absolutely should. As should you.
We both love Yumm Sauce.
Yumm Sauce is this fantastic “cheesy,” creamy (and vegan) sauce that is made, sold and served at a local chain of cafés call Café Yumm. They put it on just about everything they make, from rice bowls to salads to wraps.
It’s so good, it’s drinkable.
I’ve tried to make it in the past, but never quite got it right, a fact I mentioned over dinner Saturday. Scott, who usually skips right over the recipeas when reading our site and heads for the jokes (aka fodder with which to lovingly tease my dear husband) eagerly said, “Oh my gosh, you make that sauce? Is that recipe on your site?”
It is now.
Mmmm Sauce
Inspired by Café Yumm’s Yumm Sauce and this recipe
Makes 1 1/2 cups
- 1/4 c. canola oil (or oil of your choice)
- 1/4 c. almonds
- 1/3 c. water
- 1/4 c. chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1/4 c. nutritional yeast
- 2 1/2 T. lemon juice
- 1 t. minced garlic
- 1/4 t. salt
- 3/4 t. curry powder
- 1/2 t. dried oregano
- 1/2 t. dried cilantro
Note: this recipe could easily be doubled and leftovers will keep covered in the fridge for 7-10 days
In a high speed blender or food processor, combine oil, almonds, water and chickpeas. Blend until relatively smooth.
Add remaining ingredients and blend until smooth.
Transfer to a small bowl and refrigerate until serving.
Nutritionally speaking, this sauce is in the same ballpark as hummus or salad dressing, but with a little more protein and vitamin B12, and a whole lot more totally craveable flavor.
If your sauce is too thick, or thickens up overnight in the fridge, just add a touch more water so you can drizzle it.
And trust me, you’ll want to drizzle it. On everything.
We broiled some tofu, steamed some brown rice and veggies and passed the sauce around the table.
And then we kept passing and passing it.
I caught Gigi at the end of the meal moving her plate towards her face with her tongue fully extended.
I love that kid.
Pea Daddy asked to take the leftovers to work with him in his man satchel for lunch today. Not the leftover rice and tofu.
Just the sauce.
I’d love to hear from Scott that he’s tried this sauce at home and loved it (I’ll follow up with his comments, photos, and review should he make it).
Of course, I’d also love to hear him volunteer to accompany Pea Daddy to the next installment of the Pirates of the Caribbean next month.
(serving suggestion)
I just don’t want to hear that he put Mmmm Sauce on his bacon cheeseburger.
*******
The winner of the dough ball giveaway is #553, Liz:
Please email me your address and your pick of dough ball flavor and I’ll get baking or unbaking!
Thanks to everyone for all your entries and incredible feedback. As a result, this post is the first post in a hopefully weekly series I plan to continue called “Wannabe Recipeas,” where I will makeover your favorite recipes (from restaurants, your family favorites, or store-bought versions) into “recipeas” and then follow up with your comments, photos, and reviews! If you have a recipe you’d like to see become a recipea, and you are willing to make and give me feedback on the new recipea (either via your blog or by emailing me), please email me at peasandthankyou@hotmail.com and put “Wannabe Recipeas” in the subject line. I can’t wait to hear from you!
YUUUUUUUUUUUM! Making this pronto.
These photos are just absolutely lovely! The sauce looks amazing, I love how I have all the ingredients on hand!
On day…..two….(ha) of eating like a vegan….(I say ‘like’ because I don’t know how long I will last). I tried your latest tofu recipe and LOVED it! I think I will make it…..definitely to day 3, and possibly to day four…..I’m going to need another push……..what ‘cha got next? I need another protein…STAT!
Congrats on day 2!!! I have some tempeh I need to use…
As a vegan, I actually find I have no problem getting my protein. I eat a lot of veggies and greens (which DO contain protein), but my favorite source is probably beans.
There are so many varieties and they add nutrition, fiber, and protein to many savory dishes. I like to cook up a batch of bean soup for the week (split pea, Italian white bean, Mama Pea’s Lemon Lentil, Mama Pea’s African Peanut Stew, minestrone, Mexican black bean, Mama Pea’s roasted squash and white bean…the options are endless) and reheat it for quick meals. Beans are also great sprinkled on salad or blended into a dip (think hummus) which can then be spread on wraps, sandwiches or used for dipping.
Many grains also contain protein, as does nutritional yeast (great sprinkled on popcorn or used in the Yumm sauce above), nuts, and veggies. That said, I wouldn’t worry too much about getting your protein. If you feel good and build your meals around whole foods and lots of veggies, chances are you will get more than enough protein.
Sorry if I’ve written a book here. I just can totally relate to that scared feeling of being a new vegan and not being sure what you will eat. If you stick with it and keep seeking out new recipes and blogs with ideas, I promise you that it gets easier. I’ve learned about and enjoyed so many new dishes and flavors and ingredients since becoming vegan. I can’t imagine eating any other way. I hope you stick with it, and if you have any other questions be sure to reach out to other vegans–we’re always happy to help.
Thanks! That was sweet of you to respond so quickly. I find that there are a LOT of dessert ideas, but I’m not a big dessert fan. I’m the carb queen, so I will have to be careful not to overdo. One thing that I have been doing is JUICING! I love the Kale, frozen banana, 2 spears of pineapple and coconut water juice!! I drink that every day now! And I’ve started overnight oatmeal for breakfast (with a few add-ins). I really do appreciate the site and all those that are following this blog.
You’ve all inspired me! (I’m also reading Crazy Sexy Cancer Diet) love her!
Thanks again, Audrey and Mama Pea!!!
Yeah on your vegan days. Just take it one day and one meal at a time, I’ve been vegan for almost a year now and it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done for my health. Getting rid of the dairy has shown the biggest changes in my skin and I swear this was the first winter my shoulder and knees didn’t hurt in years. One thing I eat that is carby but healthy and quick is I toast an alvorado street bakery bagel (10g protein) smash a whole avocado all over both sides, sprinkle with some hemp seeds (these are a vegan’s protein dreams – get some and sprinkle them in smoothies, overnight oats, salads and everything), lemon juice and a little sea salt. Sometimes I even add some cilantro if I have some. Talk about yuminess.
Sauces are also a vegans best friend. This is why I loved this post from Mama Pea. Do a search on Kristen from Kristen’s Raw Cheezy Hemp sauce. OMG so good and high in protein. I swear it tastes like a creamy cheesy spicy sauce. Who needs dairy cheese, lol.
Yeah for day 3 – you can do it!
Audrey, I just want to thank you for this response. So thoughtful and 100% right on. I’m going to be using some of YOUR meal ideas
That rice bowl looks AMAZING.
The sauce makes it!
The sauce looks wonderful and that is such a Pea Family type sauce. Like there are certain things that I think oh that’s so Gena, i.e. hemp seeds and avocado in a dressing, and when I see that sauce, it just sounds like you. You come up with the best dips and sauces!
And the pictures..nice job! I love the overhead shot with the blue plate. Very eye catching and so pretty. I went to a photography workshop this weekend in LA and learned so much. I love learning about photography and it’s become a recent passion…and I love seeing others take such good care to take pretty, beautiful shots as you have clearly done
And comment notification. Thank you!!!!
Thanks, Averie. It’s definitely been something I’ve been working on! (and thanks for the push to install the comment notification plug-in!)
Oh. My. Peas. THANK YOU! I don’t live anywhere near Portland, but I’ve droloed over Yumm’s online Menu a few times.
Oh Mama Pea….you are killing me softly with your sauce, killing me softly — with your saaauuce….
<3
Wow… this sauce looks AMAZING!! Oh yum yum yum… adding it to my list! thank you!
I once worked at a pizza parlor with a hilarious group of guys that found “Chaka’s Mmmm Sauce” in the grocery store and for weeks afterwards would say, “Chaka’s Mmmm Sauce–tastes so good, eat it off the floor” in a funny, deep manly voice. Every time I make your sauce I’m going to say, “Mama’s Mmmm Sauce–tastes so good, eat it off the floor.” Haha
Awesome! I hope you do make it and say it
I’ve heard about the famous Yumm sauce before and seen recipes for it online but, if I recall, yours seems a lot healthier than the those (great job!). I absolutely love the photography in this post and that brown rice + tofu + veggies with the sauce and sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds looks so pretty and delicious!
Thanks! It really was delicious!
Mama Pea!! I was looking everywhere for this recipe a few hours ago (I wanted a nooch sauce to go with black bean burritos)! The one I ended up making was not a winner.
Luckily you have this recipe up now! Yay!
Aww, I wish I would have had it up sooner. This is IT, search no more!
I love friends who compliment us so well…and indulge our husbands in all their favorite things. Everyone wins
I’ve never had a sauce like this one before. I seriously need to try this stuff! Thanks for the recipe 
I LOVE Cafe Yumm!! That sauce is crazy good. I’m going to make this, and I’ll post about it on my blog
Can’t wait! Maybe next time we do a Trader Joe’s run/trip to Cafe Yumm!
I have to say I’ve never heard of that, but if you say it’s drinkable, I’m making this soon
The ingredients list looks tasty and I bet it’s an awesome dip. And kids + dip = more veggie intake than usual. Or maybe that’s just my son haha. Love the picture of the broccoli on the fork. Your blog just keeps getting better and better 
I really think this would be an awesome replacement for the old Cheez Whiz on broccoli thing
That sauce looks almost IDENTICAL to a copycat sauce I made that I had at “The Whole Bowl” food cart in Portland!! Have you been? It’s delicious and vegan friendly.
I’ve never been to that cart, but I MUST go!!!!
WOO HOO!!!!!!! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!! I visited Eugene two summers ago. I think I ate at Cafe Yumm 3 times in 4 days. Yumm Sauce is one of the best things EVER and I can’t wait to make this!!! If I close my eyes and try real hard, maybe I’ll be able to imagine myself back to lovely Oregon…
I promise, it tastes just like it!
Perfect! I tried a different knock off recipe. It tasted close, but was problematic because it kept overflowing the containers. Probably because I thought “yeast” meant the kind you use to bake bread… LOL
Lovely looking + lovely sounding!! Can’t wait to try this…with no adaptations
You have no idea how happy this makes me! After spending 4 glorious indulging in Yumm sauce at UO, you can imagine the withdrawal symptoms I am suffering from down here in the Bay Area. I’ve resorted to bribing and begging friends to send me my beloved sauce (and even bug the company via Twitter to open a San Francisco location), so THANK YOU for this recipe. I am now off to the store to buy the ingredients, it’s been way too long!
Fantastic! Please let me know if you think it is close to the original!
It was the closest thing I’ve had to the original and I think with a better blender it would be spot on. Thanks again, it’s delish!
Interesting! Going to have to try this for sure!
p.s.. i have a personal blog (small, mostly family and friends as readers) and i just posted about smoothies and linked to one of your posts and to the site. Hope thats ok!
Thanks for sharing.
That’s just great, Beth! Thank you!
i want some yumm sauce and a vitamix! somehow i just don’t see it working out with the current ninja blender i have on my countertop
Oh my PEAS, why is that sauce NOT in my belly right now!? Can’t wait to make it!
And…how many times do you actually write “recipe” and need to change it? I give you so much credit for keeping it going throughout. I love the dedication to your craft!
The minute I saw it I knew it had nutritional yeast in it. Our secret vegan ingredient in almost everything.
I need to come down to Portland to try the real thing too.
I’m definitely going to be in Seattle this summer. I’ll bring you a jar
Yum. You just reminded me that a simple bowl of grilled tofu, rice and veggies can be quite tasty.
As I lay in bed, reading the site on my iPhone, I can’t seem to shake the theme song from Different Strokes. We have our differences, but I do admire and respect what you are doing. I accept your challenge. I will recreate a Yumm bowl with your sauce, photograph my expertise in the kitchen and report back. This may take some time and keep me from Pirates with Pea Daddy.
Love it, Scott! And thanks for being a good sport about the post
Oh my, I just found tonight’s dinner! I just HAVE to make that rice bowl, and that famous sauce. I don’t think my little hand blender can handle whole almonds so I’ll use plain almond butter instead. Anyway, this might even become my new favorite salad dressing. I’ll report back!
I think that the almond butter would work just fine! Or even tahini would be great!
This is so funny! My mom was at Yumm Cafe this weekend and told me (down in California) that I absolutely need to visit next time I’m in the Eugene region! Now I can recreate!
oh yummy. i’m thinking of making hummus this week so i might make this too.
I’m so glad I haven’t yet made a trip to the grocery store this week. Chickpeas and dried cilantro are going on the list! Wonder if I can get nooch from the regular store…
Anyway – holy yum balls this looks AWESOME!!! I also love your idea of pea-ifying recipes for your blog. I’m going to keep my eyes and ears open!
Thanks MP!
I definately need to make this NOW! I think its awesome that gigi licked her plate clean!
I want to make that just so I can tell people I am serving them Mmm Sauce.
I could drink that bowl of sauce! LoL.
“It’s so good, it’s drinkable.” Love it! You are so great about re-creating recipes from places!! Just amazing.
It looks like a sauce I would drink straight up! Yum! I love when you re-create things that you had out, I always tell myself to do that, sometimes I make things healthier that I see when dining out!
Have a great day! The winner is SO lucky! Congrats to her!
xoxo <3
Um YUM! I can’t even believe I said that word because I really dislike it – just like the word moist. It just gives me the heebie jeebies. Besides that, that sauce looks incredible. I’m making it today.
This sauce sounds perfect! I have a package of tofu sitting in my fridge that needs some spicing up so I think this will do just the trick. Great recipe Mama Pea!
it just HAS to be good if they named it “yumm” sauce…that would be a big name to live up to if not!
and thanks for planning my dinner for tonight
This sauce look delic! I love sauces that go good with everything, as a dip, as a dressing, as a spread in a wrap. I’m going to use this like its going out of style!
I just so happen to have everything at home to re create this sauce and the dinner it was drizzled over. Thanks for making my dinner decisions easier — it’s not even 9 am!
Cheezy sauces remind me of my childhood when I would smother everything in Cheez Whiz…
Mmm…this would be awesome on cauliflower!
That sauce looks so good!!!
ok…so i just made this (yes…this morning!) and it is so very good…can’t wait to put it on some pre-cooked brown rice from the freezer (with veggies) for dinner. it is extremely similiar to a sauce i used to make. it was (don’t laugh) a can of condensed cream of chicken soup, mayo, and curry powder! it was so delicious and i could put that on almost anything…your’s taste very similiar but waaaaay healthier! plus, no chemicals yay!! i’m currently doing research on pesticides found in our foods and it’s scary out there…so happy to have home made recipeas without any pre-made crap in them (like condensed soup ).
oh, what do you wash your non-organic veggies in? i can’t hardly get organic fruit around here (east texas…they have no idea who joe is!) so i’ll have to start washing/soaking things to get the yuk off…my next research project.
thanks!!! your the bomb and so is this sauce!!!
YESSS! I love your restaurant recreations! Thanks for listening to the suggestions!
I think Ill scoop this up with a flip flop (as Guy Fieri would say on Triple D
I’ve never heard that! That’s hilarious!!!
Oh my word that looks amazing!
This does sound realllly yum!!!! And awesomesauce! Literally.
Help! I’d love to try this sauce – it sounds fantastic… but I’m so intimidated by curry powder. What kind? Is there something just called “curry powder”? The last time I tried to look , there were umpteen kinds. Any suggestions? Thank you!!
Hello!
I am new to the “Vegan/ Vegeterian” world and am trying to incorporate some meatless dishes into our home. Where do I find Nutritional Yeast? I am sure that I can find it at Whole foods, or even the local Kroger – - but what aisle would I look for it? Baking? THANK YOU!
At Whole Foods, it is on the spice aisle & in bulk. At Kroger, it’s in the natural foods section.
Thank you!
Recipe has been printed, and I’m going to try it tomorrow! I’m excited about the recipe recreations.
Oh my gosh that sauce looks amazing!!
I absolutely love Cafe Yumm. Make me miss Eugene, although they are opening one up this Spring in downtown Portland. I can’t wait to make this sauce!
Not sure if you knew, but there’s one in Beaverton.
What is the purpose of the nutritional yeast? If I don’t have that, will the recipe work?
It gives it a really distinct, unique flavor…and yes, you need it!
Another blog I follow made this sauce as well: http://www.plant-powered.com/recipes/carols-happy-bowl/
With a recommendation lie that, this is definitely getting made.
I was so excited that I had everything to make this, until I saw the nutritional yeast…dang it! It’s on my list of items to purchase though
I just made it, and it’s delicious! You’re right, it would go on just about everything.
Yay! I’m glad you liked it!
We just tried this and I thought I’d let you know it’s a huge hit
I’d take this over Cheez Whiz ANY day. We’re testing it out with just raw celery and carrots and the kids love it. My 17 month old daughter keeps sucking it off the veggies and not eating the whole thing and more son just asked for more veggies. That’s a good sign of a yummy dip. I really can’t think of anything this would taste bad on. Thanks so much for sharing 
Aww, I’m so happy! Gigi just finished her lunch with it (veggies and pita) and kept coming back to the kitchen for more sauce!!!
Mmmm that gives me the best idea for lunch tomorrow
Awesome <3
I love the Wannbe Recipeas idea! We’re so going to challenge you, and I have a feeling you can probably handle it. Thanks for spreading the vegan love one recipea at a time.
I hope you guys do challenge me! I’ve only gotten two submissions so far, so keep ‘em coming!
This sauce looks incredible and I can’t wait to try I tout on the family! I nearly laughed out because I am vegan married to a non-vegan so TOTALLY get it! It is all about non-judging and each just making out own choices. Check out my blog if you have a moment!
Will do!
By the way . . . love love love the new recipage.
Just when I thought your blog couldn’t get any better . . .
Thank you!!! I love it too!
OK, tofu is marinating in the fridge (per your recipe/instructions) and now I know how to top the stir fry I was planning to make. That sauce looks so good! I’m going to have to sub almond butter for the almonds cause I’m out. I’m going to start with 1/8 c. of almond butter and see how it goes.
Just make sure you use an unsweetened/unflavored variety!
Yes, definitely. My almond butter has only one ingredient: raw almonds.
Then it should work perfectly!!!! I hope you love it.
This looks like the dinner I plan on having tonight. I feel I must make this sauce now too….off to buy almonds.
Sooooo hungry now! 1.5 hours left of work, must stay strong… *giggles*
Oh my gosh! Thank you so much for re-creating this. I had a roommate once that used to make a variation of this. I have only been to Cafe Yumm once on a road trip 10 years ago, and it was fantastic. I was just thinking the other day how I wish I knew what went into the yumm sauce! It’s a happy day!
You are welcome! I hope you make it and enjoy!!!
I will definitely be making this sauce!! Looks fantastic.
i recently moved to portland for grad school and pretty much all of my money goes to cafe yumm- i’m obsessed. now i have a recipe to recreate when i finish school and move back to the east coast!
Welcome to the Pacific Northwest!!!
I made that sauce (and rice bowl) last night for dinner. It is really amazing! I accidentally dumped in too much curry, but that’s no problem, I like things hot. Leftovers will be enjoyed for lunch and dinner today.
Thanks a lot for sharing your recipe!
But I have a question: How do I stop myself from drinking the sauce straight up?
LOL. I don’t use the word “drinkable” lightly!
i love reading your blog, i have read it for about 2 years now and i have got so many recipe ideas from it, i cant wait to try the mmm sauce! x
MP-Do you think this would work if you eliminated the oil and used water (maybe less than the quantity of oil called for in the recipe)? It looks soooooo darned amazing that I really want to give it a whirl!!!!!
I’ve made it with all water before and it wasn’t the same. It just never really emulsified. I guess if you were against the oil, you could add more almonds and hope that it gets rich and creamy enough? Or even avocado might work.
Will try avocado tonight. Thanks!!!
I’m changing the name to hmmmmmm sauce in my house. I’m not sure I love it. I’m going to try it again tonight though.
While I haven’t had the original, it tasted more lemoney than I imagined. I could have made it wrong though! I feel like it needed a bit of sweetness or something.
I do love every single other recipe I’ve ever made of yours though!!! Thanks
LOL!! The pickle dance.
LOVED the salad video too. You are such an inspiration and have the same mentality as I do with kids + veggies. Make them fun. Make them novelty. Make them NORMAL and not a weird thing you “have” to eat to get to the “good stuff.” Veggies ARE the good stuff!
Thanks, Kath. I have a feeling your kids will be excellent and nutritious eaters! (with a penchant for bread…)
I can’t stand how much I miss your family. Bah bah pickle pickle to you.
We miss you too! I have a gift for you, but I’m holding it ransom until I see you.
I made this sauce with dinner last night. It was served over polenta, broccoli and tofu. MMMMMM indeed.
That’s what I like to hear!
Sweet! I’m excited for the new series. I always try to do this at home, but some successes are more stunning than others
I hope LuLu is OK with me using “Bah Bah Pickle” as my new catchphrase.
We don’t have it trademarked…yet…
I forgot to tell you–one of our dogs has a pickles collar. I’m sure LuLu would love that. I’m sure they have a pickle collar for cats. And I saw a pea salt and pepper shaker set at Pier 1 this past weekend and completely thought of you. And I bet they have a pea cat collar too…how cool for Pea Kitty.
WHAT?! A pickle collar? Can you imagine the fury that Pea Kitty would unleash?
Bah Bah Pea Kitty Pickle Bah Bah.
i had some “fail” almond cream in the fridge from the other day. I turned my fail into mmmmmmmama pea’s crack sauce. my curry blend must be potent cause it was a little too strong, so I added more chickpeas & almonds. it tempered it a bit. I’m going to try it w/my rawvioli for lunch. thanks!
I had some fail almond butter this morning…I wish I would have thought to have done what you did!
JUST finished making this and all I have to say is MMMMMMMM (in giant, bold, caps lock letters). SERIOUSLY YUMMMM!!!!
I can’t imagine cheesy tasting cheese-less sauce! But, it does look good!
broiled tofu looks awesome… but then again I love tofu pretty much any way.
this was delicious!!!
Hooray!!!
Oh my, this sounds scrumptious. Is there some other ingredient I can substitute for the nutritional yeast? I can’t have it. I love the avocado subfor the oil. Love your blog
Thanks
I really do think the nooch is crucial to the recipe! Sorry!
Do you use raw or roasted almonds for this Mama Pea? I want to make the sauce for lunch tomorrow!
Can’t wait!
Ana
I use raw, but if your blender can handle it, feel free to use roasted. Either way, it’s awesome.
This sauce was loved by the whole FAM! I used your idea of letting the kids decide what they wanted to put in their rice bowls. I was shocked to see my 3 year old choose broccoli and eat it all up! Thanks for the delish recipe and for all your wonderful ideas!
This just made my night, and I had a really good night.
This looks really tasty, but one question: how crucial are the almonds? I’m allergic to nuts. Would replacing the almonds with pumpkin or sunflower seeds work?
Oh, absolutely! I think the sunflower seeds would be especially great!
This sauce is ridiculous. And I’m so glad I always have all of those ingredients on hand! Just topped some rice bowls with it for dinner and I’m beyond glad I doubled the recipe. Thanks for another winner!
So happy to hear it, Janel!
Does this kind of taste like Hummus…but in a more liquid-y consistency??
Not really…it’s definitely sharper and “cheezier” than hummus!
Mama Pea,
], I decided I needed to jump on the bandwagon and get to makin’ some Mmmm Sauce. I scoured grocery stores high and low looking for nutritional yeast to no avail. I was hoping to avoid what I essentially knew was inevitable: a trip to Whole Paycheck.
As I’m sure you’re aware, your Mmmm Sauce is all over the blogosphere… I mean ALL over it! Everyone is making it, eating it, and loving it. (Duh!)
So, being the trend-following girl that I am [aka, college student desperate to fit-in
But I went. I tried hard to make a beeline for the nooch, but goodies kept jumping out at me, and I ended up at the checkout line with an overflowing basket and the hefty receipt to prove it.
Due to the splurge, I think I may have to cancel a highlight appointment next week. I would complain, but I’m too busy licking Mmmm Sauce off the bottom of my plate… my dark roots may be outrageous, but they’re nothing compared to this sauce!
Okay, I think you win the prize for the best Mmmm sauce comment
I’m sorry you had to break the bank at WF to get it, but I’m glad you loved it!!!
The only thing I am lacking to make this is a can of chickpeas. Must go to store.
Broccoli dipped in sauce on the fork looks mmmmmm ….. absolute delish !
I want to make this sooooo bad, but I don’t have a blender..It’s kinda sad, but my old one crapped out on me and I can’t afford a new one!!! I will keep this bookmarked until I get one!!
A food processor would also work…or you could use almond butter instead of whole nuts and try to mash the chickpeas with a fork? Trying to help
haha I don’t have a food processor either..someday!! I will definitely try that though, and let you know how it goes! Thanks
i use my magic bullet and it works well. i’ve made my third batch tonight.
love it Mama Pea, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for chiming in, Angel. Glad you like it!
This sauce was AMAZING!! My husband loved it too. Just to let you know that when I made the sauce, I discovered I was out of dried oregano and did not have dried cilantro. So I threw in some smoked paprika (my newest obsession) and it was sooooo yummy!
Oh, I love smoked paprika too. Great addition!
Seriously yummy! I could eat it with a spoon. Thanks for sharing.
Hi. I love you for this. Thank you. Goodbye.
Ha ha. Love you too!
I like your hairstyle I am going to go make this dressing. And then I am going to get a haircut.
This looks UHmazing. Story ended. I’m making this ASAP
I just made this tonight (also with a stir fry), and all I can say is YUM!!!! I can’t stop dipping the spatula is this creamy sauce (and licking it!) while I wait for the veggies to cook. I made extra so I can dip sweet-potato fries in it tomorrow night.
I kid you not, we just had wraps and sweet potato fries with Mmmm Sauce for dipping. You won’t be disappointed.
I made this tonight for dinner. My 16 month old daughter LOVED it. I made a very similar brown rice bowl as yours and it turned out great! Now if I could only get my husband to try it. He thinks everything healthy is gross.
That’s why you don’t tell them it’s healthy!
Oh dear……I think my “mmm sauce” turned into “Hmmm….sauce.” My eyes read “cumin” not “curry”…….and I totally forgot the dried cilantro…
I need a do-over…….
I’m sorry!
That seems like the most delicious sauce ever! Thanks for sharing this mama pea!
I am a lurker that had to come out of hiding. This reciPEA was PHENOM! Made it today to go with our meal and when my family asked what it was, I mistakenly said, “It’s Yum Yum sauce” which only made my husband hysterical and skeptical (my MIL is southern and makes a Yum Yum salad which is anything BUT Yum Yum….and we have told her.) Despite the correction in the name to my hubby, he liked it and asked if it was one of my “healthy things”….when I said yes he said, “That’s okay, you can keep making it but I will forever call it Yum Yum sauce.” What ever takes them to eat it. Thanks for the inspiration on many fronts. Happy Easter.
You can call it whatever you want, Michelle! I’m so glad your family enjoyed it with their Easter meal
I used this as a dip for salad rolls and it was fantastic!!
Thanks for another great recipe!!
I loove how you made this sauce with almonds! I always have almonds on hand, but cashews? Nope, never. So that was really nice.
I made this tonight with coconut oil instead of canola since I was out. I considered using olive oil, but I wondered if it would be too strong. I omitted the cilantro (didn’t have) and used 1/2 tsp of Italian seasonings instead of oregano, since I didn’t have plain oregano. This is so, so delicious!! My sauce is quite thick–more like a spread, like hummus–but that’s because the lemon juice was cold, so I think it made the coconut oil solidify. I will add more water and thin it out. Thank you so much for the recipe! I can’t wait to try it on tofu tomorrow. 
So glad you like it, Kelsey. I seem to always be adding more water to mine each day. Plus it lasts longer that way
I have to tell you – I just made the sauce and ate with over a salad. I did, indeed, say “mmmmmm.” Thank you, thank you, thank you.
<3,
My Belly
So glad, Laura!!!
Made this last night for dinner on portabello sandwiches….yuummm. Then I had it today on a wrap and dipped my veggies in. I am scouring the kitchen trying to find more things to eat with it. I now know why you call it
“mmmm sauce” because every time I take a bite I say, “mmmm.”
Wonderful! Thanks for reporting back!
I just made this… so good!!
Made this sauce yesterday and it is true to the name!
Okay, so am I weird? I made this, with the only modifications being coconut oil instead of canola oil, no cilantro, and Italian seasoning instead of oregano. It was FABULOUS the first day and I couldn’t get enough. The next day, when I pulled it out of the fridge, it legitimately tasted like soap. I kid you not. I kept trying to tell myself I was imagining it and I made myself keep eating it, but it was so weird! I was so sad because–oh man–it’s an amazing sauce. I have absolutely no idea what happened overnight to make it taste like soap. Does anyone have any thoughts? :/
WOW, I must try this! It looks very similar to a salad dressing that a vegetarian group on my campus serve with their vegetarian meals every day =)
This sauce is so good! I just used it as a dressing on my kale
I used chili powder instead of curry powder and I didn’t have any cilantro so I just left it out, and it ended up tasting just like the nacho cheese at my favorite vegan restaurant! Thanks for a great blog with great recipes Mama Pea! 
You’re welcome! I love that you love it!
Just made this last night. It was delicious! Thanks for helping me spice up my kitchen.
uhhh.. is it ok to eat this by the spoonful???
It depends on the size of ladle involved.
wait….I can load songs on to my iphone???
sent from my iphone
(not really but thought it would be cool if it did)
Do you want my old iPhone? It has no volume switch and only Taylor Swift music on it. In other words, it’s a weapon of mass destruction.
OH. MY. PEAS. I just made this and it is amazing!! Like a cheesy alfredo sauce…so good! Having it with ww pasta and broccoli! I am licking the Vitamix clean at the moment!!
SO good!
just made this sauce last night, over some roasted veggies, chickpeas and tofu. sooo good! love the curry flavor. i think it really could go with everything, but it was especially awesome with the chickpeas. thanks for the recipe!
You are welcome! Glad you enjoyed it.
Oh my goodness. I just got to Oregon for a track meet and when I saw that there was a Cafe Yumm across from our hotel, this was the first thing I thought of. I went straight over there for dinner and let me just say that 1) I will be eating there on each of the 7 days that we’re here and 2) I am making this sauce the minute I get back home!!
Thank you SO much for recipe!! I can already tell I’ll have Yumm sauce withdrawals if I don’t make some!
Awesome! You’ll have to let me know if you try it and what you think!
Long time lurker! I’m wanting to make this sauce tonight with some gardein tenders. Quick question (probably silly), can I use fresh cilantro if I don’t have dried and just use more?
Thanks!
Yes! I would add a tablespoon to start and then go from there. Good luck!
Made this tonight and it was amazing! It even got my meat loving dad to eat (and enjoy!) tofu for the first time! I’m already planning ways to eat the rest of the sauce all day tomorrow! Thanks Mama Pea and keep up the great work!!
You are welcome! We just had big salads with Mmmm Sauce and tempeh bacon ourselves tonight. Soooo good. Glad you got your dad on board too!
I just made this sauce last night and couldn’t stop eating it! Sadly my DH and kids didn’t care much for it though. So more for me!!!!
Thanks for the great feedback!
Still needing to try this… is there anything I could substitue for the almonds? My girls are allergic to all nuts.
Maybe sunflower seeds?
Oh yes, sunflower seeds would work great!
This looks amazing. Must make. Now.
Finally making this! …as in… right now.
Was in the process of roasting up a bunch of veggies for my version of a ‘goddess-like’ bowl for dinner and had all the ingredients on hand for your sauce. BOOM for my lemon tree! Can’t wait to try the sauce with dinner.
MMM sauce has lived up to its name Mamma Pea! Thanks for the great recipea
looking forward to having it on my veggie ‘n quinoa bowl later on.
Fantastic! I’m glad you are enjoying it!
quick question
i made the recipe exactly and it only made 1 cup- not 1.5 cups. it also tastes very garlic-y. any ideas where i went wrong? thanks!
Not sure…no one else has suggested they had any problems. Maybe add some water to thin it out!
yeah i lied. it was amaze!!! thank you
Ha ha ha! You don’t have to like it, I won’t be hurt!
I recently discovered Cafe Yumm, and have been wanting to try to make this! I’m so glad you posted this and can’t wait to try it out!
I LOVE Yumm Sauce but I think I have a new allergy to almonds (FABULOUS, right? Grr.) Do you recommend and other nut? I did make this sauce before I realized that it was almonds causing an allergic reaction and my boyfriend and I loved it, very similar to the original. Do you have a recipe for the chipotle flavor?
I don’t! But I bet you could add a chipotle in adobo to the blend and it would work great. I’d recommend trying sunflower seeds if you can handle them!
do you have the nutritional stats for this?
thank you!!
This yum sauce does look super Yummmm! I can’t wait to give it a try – on everything. I’m definitely a girl who loves her condiments!!!
Just made this to go with some zucchini cakes for dinner. It’s delicious! I added a little bit of ground red pepper to spice it up a little bit. mmmmmm……
I don’t call it Mmmm sauce for nothin’!
Glad you liked it, Amy.
I made a slightly modified batch of this and it was AMAZING! Will blog about it as soon as I stop eating it…
Hi – I finally made this sauce to serve with broccoli and peas from our garden – so, so good! Thanks!
You are welcome! Your garden sounds very cool.
It is pretty cool– my husband did an awesome job this year
It almost got real in the Whole Foods parking lot when a fellow shopper admonished me for looking for dried cilantro over fresh, then told me to just use ground coriander. While I appreciated her unsolicited advice, I thought I’d ask YOU instead: how essential is the dried cilantro to this recipe if I can’t find it?
It’s the same as coriander!
Just curious – ground coriander? The pic above looks like flakes of dried cilantro, which I’ve never seen in my store. I did add a pinch of ground coriander but was just curious if you used something different. Regardless, it was delish!
I used dried cilantro, which is the leaves. Ground coriander is the seeds of the same plant, just ground fine. You won’t lose anything in flavor. Hope that clears it up!
Hi! I’ve started reading your blog a few months ago and I have to say I’m really enjoying it! Lovely family and yummy recipes! I really want to try this Mmm Sauce, but I don’t find the nutritional yeast in the supermarket or health shop (I live in a small city in Sweden). Is there anything I could replace it with? Thanks!
Sadly, I don’t think so. It really is key to the recipe. Maybe you could order it online?
Thank you for reading!!!
I was elated to find the nutritional yeast (finally!) in our health food store this week – I’d been dreaming about the Mmmm Sauce for so long!!
Needless to say, it was so delicious! So excited to eat the leftovers for lunch tomorrow….Thanks for the great recipe!
Wonderful! So glad you like it
I finally tried this last night and it was delicious! Another winner from Peas and Thank You. I’m so excited to get your book and try all the recipes.
Thanks Britt! Have a great weekend!
I’m not really a huge fan of tofu, do you think this sauce would pair well with tempeh instead?
Oh sure! You can use it on really just about anything!
Drooling over this sauce; love it Mammaaaa Pea!
Made a great find today for lunch! Haven’t gone to store in awhile and out of desperation I toasted a sandwich thin, then added mmmm sauce and balela (from TJs)- it was heaven! Will definitely being making this combo again. Highly recommend it!
Ooh…what is balela?
It is a Middle Eastern salad with chickpeas, black beans & tomatoes and is flavored with lemon, olive oil, mint and other spices. Would be super easy to make, but I picked mine up from Trader Joe’s.
Sounds fabulous!
I just made this and it tastes so good! I’m definitely having it as part of dinner tonight on top of some veggies. :]
I tried a version of this tonight and it was delicious! I think I ‘m going to be eating this on just about everything from now on. Thanks for the recipe.
yum! i just made this and it is delicious. i used pine nuts instead of almonds and fresh cilantro instead of dried because that’s what i had on hand. so good! thank you!
Glad you liked it! Nice subs too!
Hi Mama Pea! I just made your mmm sauce and it is delicious! I licked the blender clean.
I subbed raw sunflower seeds for the almonds and cut back on the oil. I am going to take it to work for lunch tomorrow with chickpeas and sauteed greens, if I can keep my hands off of it until tomorrow…. Thanks for a great recipe!
Wonderful! So glad you enjoyed it!
I’ve been a long-time reader even though I’m not a vegan. I’ve recently been told that I should drastically reduce the amount of dairy that I consume so I decided to try this out as an alternative to cheese. Holy cow! Like everything you make, this is outstanding!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth. Check out the nacho version too!
http://peasandthankyou.com/2011/07/24/third-times-a-mmmm/
I’ve been a long-time reader even though I’m not a vegan. I’ve recently been told that I should drastically reduce the amount of dairy that I consume so I decided to try this out as an alternative to cheese. Holy cow! Like everything you make, this is outstanding!
MMmm sauce is all over the blog world ! I have got to get in on the action (:
Just out of curiousity, what do you think the nutritional stats would look like? I used to have mydataanalysis which was a great tool, but my access code only worked so long after my nutrition class ended
2 T. has: 91 calories, 7 g fat, 5.5 carb, 3.5 protein.
Oh my gosh – no wonder I feel so stuffed! I think I had about 5 tablespoons!
Mabuhay!
Hello from the Philippines, Mama Pea!
Because of Caitlin’s undying love for your Mmm Sauce, I was determined to try it out. I made do with whatever was in the kitchen but the sauce still turned out quite tasty. Substitutes were made for the lemon juice as well as dried cilantro for apple cider vinegar (about 1 1/2T) and mustard powder, respectively. I cannot wait to eat lick the sauce off my plate!
I love using the Mmmm Sauce thinned out with water as a salad dressing. So good!
Just made this tonight and we LOVED it! Thanks for the recipea!
I’m not vegan but this sauce looks delish! I need new ways to use my nutritional yeast.
I made this tonight, with some sautéed broccoli and spinach and some brown rice. I, like GiGi, wanted to lick the bowl. Although in my case it was the bowl of the food processor.
I just had a little bowl with carrot sticks. And I did lick my bowl. NO shame!
Had to have more with fresh broccoli. Seriously, if I lived to be eleventy-one and ate this every day of my life… not too much Mmm Sauce. So tempted to make the peanut version RIGHT NOW. For scientific comparison purposes.
Make the salsa version too
If I could hug you from the internet I totally would! Iused to go to cafe yumm all the time when I lived in Eugene. The last time I was there I bought a huge bottle of it and smuggled it in my luggage so I could have a bit of cafe yumm at home. So excited to make this! Thank you so so much!
I hope it stands up to your memory! (we think it’s better…)
Mama Pea, I love your Mmmmm Sauce recipe! I never would have thought to add curry powder to a cheeze sauce recipe – brilliant! I just sauteed some Alexia sweets (http://www.alexiafoods.com/products/potato-vegetable-sides/saute-sweets) and added brown rice to the pan and drizzled the whole dish with mmmm sauce. It was awesome. Thank you!
Just moved to OR and the whole family is LOVING the Yumm (though, after looking at the nutritional information, will be loving it a lot less)! Thanks for the recipea.
You can also make it without the oil and just sub in water! Much lighter!
I made your mmmm sauce tonight but didn’t have cilantro (fresh or dried) so used dill instead… I encourage you to give it a try, Mama Pea, this is the most incredible dill dip I have ever tasted! Thank you!
That sounds like a great switch…thanks for the tip!
why isn’t this in the book? Just curious…LOVE the book
I found out about this recipe from Jasmine at Eat, Move, Write and made it as soon as I was able to track down nutritional yeast. Not easy to come by over here in the UK, I instead used vegan cheese and it was still amazing (I also added extra smoked paprika which gave it a little more edge).
Thanks for posting this as it brings a little bit of sunshine to my plate.
I’m eating oil-free, so I made this recipe without the canola oil, added 1/4 cup more almonds to keep it creamy, and it was delicious. I mixed it up with some brown rice, kidney beans, and spinach. Thanks!
mama pea or anyone else please let me know i am making this today! what has a better flavor with raw almonds or roasted almonds? to eat plain i prefer roasted… should i make it with roasted?!
thanks so much!
I much prefer to eat roasted too…it really doesn’t make a difference in the flavor or this sauce, though, so just use what you’ve got!
awesome. thank you so much for responding
Hi mama pea!
is there a good substitute.for nutritional yeast?
Thanks!
There’s really not…it makes the sauce!
I used to live in Portland and would eat at Cafe Yumm numerous times per week. My husband and I were completely obsessed with it. We now live in Denver and talk often about opening up a franchise of Cafe Yumm here (we know nothing about doing it but the idea sounds good. Ha!) anyway, your mmm sauce brought us right back to our favorite little Oregon eatery–THANK YOU! Now that we’ve gotten our cafe Yumm fix from your recipe, perhaps we can hold off on spending hundreds of thousands on the franchise now….
If you do open a franchise, I will come to Denver for your grand opening!
Glad you liked the sauce!
I made this to top our veggie/tofu/millet stir fry tonight – my husband could not believe that I made it from scratch – called it “restaurant quality” – it was AWESOME – thanks!!
Yay! I’m glad you guys loved it!
I am so NOT vegan but that sauce does look heavenly!! Looks like a a great dip for veggies for snacks!
WOW! Amazing recipe! This tastes almost exactly like Yumm! sauce, the flavors are amazing (and addicting!) Thanks so much for sharing. Will definitely make this again and again.
Fantastic! Thanks, Denise!
I just felt like I should write somewhere on your blog so you know how much it means to me. I’ve made your Mmmm Sauce on several occasions (love it!), and my husband I especially enjoy dipping soft pretzels in it. Mmmmm….
I’ve been a Vegan for 2 years now. In the past, I hardly ever ate meat any way, but when I found out that dairy was the cause of my migraines, I dropped it and found life to be livable and enjoyable again! (Plus, becoming Vegan lead me into reading a lot of literature that educated me about what happens to animals to get their products to our tables… ugh!)
Your blog is the best place I’ve found for easy-to-make “recipeas” that I always love… always! Everything I’ve made from your blog has been a huge hit because it’s all delicious! I have the Veganomicon, and I’ve loved many things from it, but sometimes it gets a bit too complex for me. Your “recipeas” are always easy for me to follow, and I can’t wait to get your cookbook for Christmas!
Just wanted you to know that I read your blog every day, and I am so grateful to you for sharing your gifts! : )
Lauren,
That means so much to me. I am so glad you have found easy, delicious recipeas on our site and that you are feeling better these days! The soft pretzel in the cookbook would be perfect with the Mmmm Sauce. Genius.
Thank you again for the wonderful feedback!
Made this today…. seriously addictive. I’ve put it on everything I can get my hands on.
In San Diego we have a local company that sales a sauce a lot like this it’s called Bitchen Sauce and it is AMAZING! It has just soaked raw almonds tahini nutritional yeast and grapeseed oil ands some seasonings
Mmmmm, this was SO delicious — thanks so much for posting!
I can see this sauce being my go-to for all kinds of dishes!
Say…Do you think there is a way to make this without the oil? Another liquid perhaps? Just water? Would love to figure out a way to be able to eat yumm-like sauce in large quantities on a regular basis. It is just soooo good. But a relatively large amount of oil/fat if trying to lose weight.
Thanks!
You can replace the oil with water and it works just fine.
Oh my goodness, this is the best sauce ever!! I quadrupled the recipe and will have not problem using it up by the end of the week. I see myself making this quite often.
Hi, I LOVE the look of this sauce but I am illergic to almonds….do you think it would be just as good with cashews or some other nut??? Thanks
Yes! I’ve heard people use sunflower seeds, cashews and other seeds and nuts with great success. Good luck!
How many calories does this contain?
I believe it’s somewhere already posted in the comments, Liz. I’d do a page search using your web browser. Let me know if you can’t find it.
Awesome. I’m always looking for creative new sauce/dip/dressing ideas and I love this one and can’t wait to try it! Thanks so much for posting it!