Add the cashews and garlic to a blender. Blend into crumbs, scraping down the sides and even shaking the blender a little if needed. 

Add lemon juice and blend some more. (Same tricks: shake down blender, scrape down the sides.)

Add water one fourth of a cup at a time, blending in between additions, up to one and a half cups (could be less). You want the consistency to be really smooth, almost like techina. Add the nutritional yeast if using.

Taste and add a pinch of salt if needed. It will taste very lemony, but the flavor will neutralize after an hour in the fridge. There should be no lumps in this spread; it should be very smooth. Keep blending if it’s still lumpy.

Let sit in the fridge for an hour to thicken up or use now if you like. Spread, dip, or garnish on anything that needs a cheesy, creamy pick-me-up!