To all the people who love cilantro, this dip is for you. Not only is this dip raw vegan, but it is also nut-free, gluten-free, and absolutely delicious. Sunflower seeds offer a unique nutty flavor that works well with this dip. Plus, they are relatively inexpensive and soften quickly after you soak them in water. This is a necessary characteristic to yield a creamy, smooth dip. 

You have the option to use either a high-speed blender or a food processor. If your blender is average and cannot handle blending nuts or seeds, a food processor is the better kitchen tool for the job. Oftentimes, a food processor is great for nuts and seeds, as it blends them with ease. We’ve made raw vegan yogurt and other similar dips to this recipe with the food processor and it worked great. Alternatively, you can always add more lemon juice and some apple cider vinegar to yield a thinner consistency. If you go down that road, this will make a great dressing. 

One thing to keep in mind is that this dip yields about 1.5 cups, which translates to eight servings. Enjoying a large amount of this dip will increase your caloric intake, as sunflower seeds are calorically dense. They also exhibit several healthy properties, but they don’t cancel out the calories. This is something you should keep in mind when you enjoy raw nuts or seeds.