Andy Montoya
Vegan cheese is made from a variety of plant foods, including nuts, seeds, soy, and root vegetables. It can be purchased pre-made or made at home with ingredients such as cashews, almonds, coconut milk, and nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast is a common substitute for cheese in vegan cooking due to its nutty, rich, and salty flavor, as well as its high vitamin B12 content. While vegan cheese tends to be lower in fat, protein, and calcium than regular cheese, it can still be part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation. The availability of new products and classic vegan cheese staples makes it an exciting time for anyone looking to adopt a vegan or dairy-free diet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Nuts (cashews, almonds, macadamias), seeds, soy, coconut milk, cream and oil, aquafaba, tofu, zucchini, potatoes, carrots |
| Taste | Less complex and unique, salty, nutty, creamy, savoury, sweet |
| Texture | Stretchy, creamy, spreadable, shredded, sliced, cubed, melted |
| Nutritional value | Lower in fat, protein, and calcium, likely gluten-free, higher in sodium, rich in B vitamins |
| Brands | Miyoko's Creamery, Kite Hill, Tofutti, Go Veggie, Daiya, Violife, Treeline, Parmela Creamery, Plant Perks Cheeze Spread, Fauxmagerie Zengarry, MozzaRisella, NotCo, Kraft |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Nutritional yeast
In addition to its use in cheese substitutes, nutritional yeast can also be sprinkled on various dishes to add a cheesy flavour. It is a versatile ingredient that can enhance the taste of pasta, soups, salads, and more. For instance, a hemp seed crumble recipe combines walnuts, hemp seeds, pine nuts, nutritional yeast, garlic, and sea salt. This mixture can be tossed into salads, used as a coating for tofu, or sprinkled over baked pasta for a crunchy texture and a boost of nutrition.
Creating a Creamy Cheese Sauce: Flour Fundamentals
You may want to see also
Nuts
To make nut-based vegan cheese, nuts are typically soaked, blended, and fermented with the same types of bacteria used to make dairy cheese. Other ingredients like salt, nutritional yeast, herbs, lemon juice, and spices may be added for flavor and texture. For example, cashew cheese can be made by blending cashews with nutritional yeast, white wine or apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, and sea salt. This mixture can then be used as a spread or melted on top of dishes like pizza or grilled cheese.
Almonds are a good substitute for creamy cheeses like ricotta, cream cheese, or goat cheese. To make almond ricotta cheese, almonds are soaked and then blended with water, lemon juice, ground black pepper, and salt. Additional ingredients like Dijon mustard, nutritional yeast, and minced garlic can be added to enhance the flavor.
Macadamia nuts are also used in vegan cheese-making, such as in the Macadamia Nut Queso Fresco by Dora Stone, which has a light and spreadable texture with a touch of sweetness.
Nut-based vegan cheeses are a good option for those seeking a dairy-free alternative, as they are relatively easy to make at home and require minimal processing. They can also be purchased pre-made from grocery stores or specialty brands.
Starbucks' Grilled Cheese: What's the Cheesy Secret?
You may want to see also
Seeds
Sunflower seeds, in particular, are a good option for those with nut allergies. To make sunflower seed cheese, you can soak the seeds in cold water for 4-6 hours or overnight, or boil them for 15 minutes to help them blend into a smooth mixture. You can then add flavourings such as lemon juice, garlic, nutritional yeast, paprika, tahini, miso, and coconut oil.
Other seeds that can be used as a substitute for cashews include macadamia nuts, blanched almonds, or raw sunflower seeds. These seeds will need to be boiled for about 15 minutes to ensure they soften.
Sesame seeds are also used in some vegan cheese recipes, although substituting them for hemp seeds may alter the taste.
Vegan cheeses made from seeds can be used in a variety of ways, including as a dip with tortilla chips or fresh veggies, tossed with pasta, or spread onto a baked potato or toast.
Wawa's Cheese Choice: The Inside Scoop
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Coconut
Vegan cheese made from coconut products can be purchased from grocery stores or made at home. To make coconut-based vegan cheese at home, coconut milk, cream, or oil is typically blended with other ingredients like salt, nutritional yeast, or herbs for flavor.
Vegan cheese made from coconut products is just one of many vegan cheese options available. Other popular bases for vegan cheese include soy, nuts, seeds, and root vegetables.
Vegan cheese comes in many varieties, including blocks, slices, wedges, soft cheese, grated parmesan-style, and nacho cheese dips. Common flavors include cheddar, smoked gouda, provolone, American, ricotta, brie, and camembert.
While vegan cheese is a processed food and tends to be higher in sodium, it is typically lower in fat, protein, and calcium than regular cheese and is likely gluten-free. It is important to note that vegan cheese does not melt in the same way as dairy cheese, and the flavors tend to be less complex and unique. However, new processes are constantly being developed to make vegan cheese taste more like traditional cheese.
Cheese Preserver: Prolonging Your Cheese's Life
You may want to see also
Tofu
The basic recipe for silken tofu cheese sauce includes silken tofu, plain unsweetened soy milk (or any plain unsweetened non-dairy milk), lemon juice, white or yellow miso paste, and Dijon mustard. However, there is room for improvisation. For example, you can replace the miso paste with apple cider vinegar, or the soy milk with sweetened soy milk. You can also add ingredients such as chili powder, olives, herbs, and garlic to enhance the flavor.
To make the sauce, simply blend all the ingredients together until smooth. Then, gently warm the sauce in a pan on the stove before serving. This sauce is incredibly versatile and can be used on pasta, potatoes, veggies, and more.
Oaxaca Cheese: The Ultimate Quesadilla Experience
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Vegan cheese is typically made from plant foods, including nuts, seeds, soy, coconut, and root vegetables.
Some popular brands of vegan cheese include Miyoko's Creamery, Kite Hill, Tofutti, Go Veggie, and Violife.
There are many types of vegan cheese available, including cheddar, smoked gouda, provolone, mozzarella, parmesan, and ricotta.
Vegan cheese can be purchased from most grocery stores and online.
Yes, it is possible to make your own vegan cheese at home. Some common ingredients used to make vegan cheese include nuts (such as cashews, almonds, and macadamias), seeds, coconut milk, and aquafaba (liquid from canned chickpeas).
