Vegan Cheese: Melting And Cooking Techniques

Vegan cheese is a dairy-free alternative to traditional cheese. It can be made with a variety of ingredients, including cashews, coconut milk, plant-based milk, nutritional yeast, and potatoes. Some recipes also include spices and herbs to add flavor and create different varieties of cheese, such as cheddar or mozzarella. Making vegan cheese at home is a popular option for those who want to avoid store-bought vegan cheese, which often contains unwanted ingredients and can be expensive. With just a few simple ingredients and about 15 minutes, anyone can make a delicious, creamy and spreadable vegan cheese that can be used in a variety of dishes, from pasta to nachos.

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How to make a basic vegan cheese sauce

A basic vegan cheese sauce can be made with just a few simple ingredients and can be used in a variety of dishes. Here is a recipe for a creamy, tangy, and rich vegan cheese sauce that can be used as a dip, tossed with pasta, or drizzled over nachos.

Ingredients:

• Yukon gold potatoes and cashews – for a creamy texture
• Sweet potatoes – for colour and a touch of sweetness
• Nutritional yeast – for a nutty, savoury flavour
• Garlic and onion powder – for depth of flavour
• Apple cider vinegar – for a tangy finish
• Water
• Extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt to taste

Method:

First, boil the potatoes until they are tender. Transfer the boiled potatoes to a high-speed blender. Add the nutritional yeast, garlic, onion powder, cashews, vinegar, water, olive oil, and salt. Blend until smooth and creamy.

You can adjust the consistency of the sauce by adding more or less water. For a thinner sauce, add more water, and for a thicker sauce, add less water.

Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavours. For a smoky flavour, add smoked paprika. If you like it spicy, blend in some jalapeños or chipotle pepper. You can also try using different types of potatoes or nuts to change the flavour and texture of the sauce.

Using coconut milk and agar agar

Coconut milk is a great base for making vegan cheese that is rich, creamy, and smooth. It is also a good option for those with allergies. The coconut milk solidifies when cold, helping to achieve a firm texture, and it also aids in remelting the cheese once cooked.

Agar agar is a vegan gelatin derived from seaweed. It is essential for making the cheese firm. If you leave it out, you will end up with a delicious nacho cheese sauce, but it won't set into a sliceable cheese. Agar agar tends to have a gelatinous texture on its own, so the addition of coconut oil helps to achieve a firmer, more cheese-like texture.

To make a basic vegan cheese using coconut milk and agar agar, you will need:

• 13.5 oz can of full-fat coconut milk
• 1/2 cup of water
• 2 tablespoons agar agar powder (or 6 tablespoons of flakes)
• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

First, prepare your cheese molds by spraying a glass bowl or container with a neutral-flavored oil to prevent sticking. Then, pour the coconut milk into a saucepan and add 1/2 cup of hot water to the empty can to melt any remaining coconut milk, and add this to the pan. Now, add all the remaining ingredients and stir with a whisk.

Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture boils. Reduce the heat and continue stirring constantly for about 6 minutes, until the cheese sauce is very smooth. Transfer the mixture to the prepared molds and allow it to harden in the refrigerator for several hours. Once set, your vegan cheese will stay fresh in an airtight container in the fridge for about a week.

You can also make this recipe in an Instant Pot. Simply combine all the ingredients, except the agar agar, in a blender. Then, add the blended mixture to an Instant Pot-safe bowl and pressure cook for 15 minutes. Let it cool, and you'll have perfectly sliceable vegan cheese!

Making vegan cheese with potatoes

Vegan cheese is a delicious and healthy alternative to dairy cheese. It is creamy, tangy, rich, and has a crave-worthy oozy texture. It is also very easy to make at home and is a healthier alternative to traditional cheese as it is dairy-free and made from wholesome, plant-based ingredients.

Ingredients

• Yukon Gold potatoes are the perfect potatoes for making vegan cheese due to their creamy texture and rich flavor.
• Other types of potatoes such as Russet potatoes, red potatoes, and sweet potatoes can also be used.
• Nutritional yeast gives the cheese a nutty, savory flavor.
• Plant-based milk such as coconut milk or any unsweetened plant milk can be used to adjust the consistency of the cheese.
• Kappa carrageenan can be used as a binder for the cheese.
• Other ingredients include lemon juice, salt, spices, olive oil, and garlic.

Method

First, peel and boil the potatoes until they are very tender. Let them cool, and then blend them with the rest of the ingredients until you get a smooth and thick cream. Add more plant-based milk if needed to adjust the consistency. For a smokier flavor, add smoked paprika, or pickled jalapeños for some heat. You can also add carrots to soften the cheese and give it a more cheese-like color.

Once blended, pour the mixture into a mold and let it cool for a few hours until it solidifies. You can then grate it over food or melt it, especially in moist conditions or on sauces.

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Using cashews and plant milk

Vegan cheese can be made using cashews and plant milk. This recipe is a great alternative to dairy cheese, and is perfect for those who are vegan, lactose intolerant, or simply looking for a new culinary experience.

To make vegan cheese using cashews and plant milk, you will need the following ingredients: raw cashews, plant milk (such as almond, soy, or oat milk), nutritional yeast, salt, garlic powder, lemon juice, and water. You can also add spices and herbs to taste, such as black pepper, red pepper flakes, or thyme.

Start by soaking the cashews in water for at least 2 hours, or overnight if you prefer a creamier texture. If you are short on time, you can also boil the cashews for about 10 minutes until tender, and then drain and rinse them. Soaking the cashews helps to soften them, making them easier to blend and giving your cheese a smoother, creamier texture.

Once your cashews are soft, drain and rinse them, then add them to a high-speed blender or food processor. Add the rest of your ingredients and blend until you reach your desired consistency. For a thicker cheese, use less liquid and blend for a shorter time. For a creamier sauce, add more water or plant milk and blend until smooth.

Your cashew cheese is now ready to enjoy! It can be used as a dip, spread, or sauce. Try using it on pizza, pasta, tacos, salads, or simply as a snack with crackers or bread.

Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and flavours to make your cashew cheese your own. You can also adjust the consistency to suit your preferences or the requirements of your dish.

How to make vegan cheese spicy

There are many ways to make vegan cheese, and most recipes are creamy and spreadable, with a similar texture to dairy-based cheese sauce.

To make vegan cheese spicy, you can add a variety of spices and seasonings. For example, chilli powder, paprika, and nutritional yeast can be added to give the cheese a kick. You can also add pickled jalapeños or chipotle peppers for extra heat. If you want to make a spicy vegan cheddar cheese, you can blend cashews, sun-dried tomatoes, nutritional yeast, tahini, vinegar, mustard, and spices. Then, with the motor running, slowly add coconut oil until it is fully incorporated. Finally, stir in minced jalapeños and transfer the mixture to an airtight container. Refrigerate for at least four hours until the cheese is firm enough to mould.

If you want to make a spicy vegan cheese sauce, you can blend soaked cashews with lemon juice, water, nutritional yeast, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, chilli powder, and salt. You can also add turmeric to make the sauce more yellow or orange, and Sriracha to taste. Warm the sauce in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly until it bubbles and thickens. Add more water if you want a thinner sauce.

You can also make a spicy vegan nacho cheese sauce by blending soaked cashews with nutritional yeast, dried spices, and water. Warm the sauce in a saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly until it thickens.

Most vegan cheese recipes use cashews as a base, as they create a smooth and creamy texture. However, you can also use other nuts, coconut milk, plant-based milk, potatoes, cauliflower, nutritional yeast, or agar agar.

Frequently asked questions