Andy Montoya
Cashew cheese is a vegan alternative to traditional soft cheese spreads. It is made from raw cashews and nutritional yeast, and it can be used in a variety of dishes. Cashew cheese has a creamy flavor and texture, making it a versatile ingredient that can be spread on bread or crackers, added to pasta, used as a dip, or even shaped into logs and sliced. It is also a good option for those who are adventurous with food or looking for dairy alternatives. With its mild flavor and texture, cashew cheese provides a great base for other flavors and can be tailored to suit different tastes and preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Cashew cheese can be creamy, thick, smooth, or crumbly depending on the recipe and preparation method. |
| Taste | Salty, tangy, cheesy, and umami. |
| Uses | Can be used as a spread, dip, or sauce. Can be added to pasta, salads, sandwiches, nachos, burritos, tacos, enchiladas, casseroles, and more. |
| Ingredients | Cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic, salt, pepper, vinegar, coconut oil, and various seasonings. |
| Dietary Preferences | Vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and oil-free. |
| Storage | Can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. It can also be frozen. |
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What You'll Learn
Cashew cheese as a dip
Cashew cheese is a versatile vegan alternative to traditional soft cheese spreads. It can be used as a dip, spread, or even as an ingredient in cooked dishes.
When used as a dip, cashew cheese can be served with crudités, crackers, or tortilla chips. Raw cucumbers, peppers, or carrots are great options for dipping into cashew cheese. The cheese itself can be made with different consistencies, ranging from a loose, creamy texture to a thick batch that can be crumbled. To achieve a thicker consistency, the cashew cheese can be heated in a saucepan on the stove. This thickened dip can also be poured over a plate of nachos or used as a sauce for enchiladas and pasta.
For those who enjoy spice, cashew cheese can be made with jalapeños, lime juice, and various seasonings. This spicy version of cashew cheese pairs well with Mexican-inspired meals, such as vegan burritos, nachos, and tofu tacos. If you're serving guests who are sensitive to spice, you can omit the jalapeño seeds and veins or leave out the jalapeño altogether.
Cashew cheese is typically made by blending raw cashews with nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. This blend is then processed until it reaches the desired consistency, similar to that of hummus. The addition of coconut oil and minimal liquid helps the cheese solidify and hold its shape. Once solidified, the cheese can be shaped into logs and refrigerated to set.
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Cashew cheese on crackers
Cashew cheese is a versatile vegan cheese alternative that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is made with cashews, which have a creamy texture and mild flavour, and nutritional yeast to mimic the cheesy flavour. It can be spread on crackers, toast, or bagel chips, served with fresh vegetables, or used as a sandwich spread.
To make cashew cheese, raw cashews are soaked in water and then blended with nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. The mixture is then shaped into a log and refrigerated until set. Once set, the cheese can be sliced and served however you like.
In addition to crackers, cashew cheese can be used in a variety of other dishes. It can be added to pasta, either as a sauce or crumbled on top, or used in vegan mac and cheese, enchiladas, or pizza. It can also be drizzled over roasted vegetables or spread on a bagel instead of cream cheese. With its mild flavour and creamy texture, cashew cheese is a versatile ingredient that can be used in many different ways.
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Cashew cheese in pasta
Cashew cheese is a versatile vegan alternative to dairy cheese. It can be used in a variety of dishes, including pasta.
One popular way to use cashew cheese in pasta is to make a cashew alfredo sauce. This sauce is typically made by blending together cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, garlic powder, and plant-based milk to create a creamy, cheesy sauce. The sauce can be adjusted to the desired consistency by adding more plant-based milk or water. It can be served with various types of pasta, such as zucchini noodles, gluten-free fusilli, or chickpea pasta, and can also be used as a white sauce on pizzas.
Another option is to make a baked pasta dish with cashew cheese. The cheese can be folded into the pasta to create a creamy, cheesy dish. One recipe suggests warming up marinara sauce and stirring in a few tablespoons of cashew cheese before mixing it with the pasta.
Cashew cheese is a good alternative to dairy cheese for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan. It has a creamy flavor and texture, providing a great base for other flavors. Nutritional yeast is often added to give the cheese its characteristic yellow color and savory, cheesy flavor. Salt is also a common ingredient, enhancing the overall cheesiness of the dish.
Cashew cheese can be made in advance and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It can also be frozen for later use, making it a convenient option for those who want to have a quick, creamy vegan pasta dish on hand.
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Cashew cheese in Mexican food
Cashew cheese is a versatile vegan alternative to dairy cheese. It can be used in a variety of dishes, including those that traditionally use goat cheese or crumbly/spreadable cheese. One popular use for cashew cheese is in Mexican cuisine.
Cashew cheese can be made with a variety of ingredients, including raw cashews, nutritional yeast, garlic, spices, water, and hot sauce or harissa paste. The addition of jalapeños can give it a subtle smoky heat, making it perfect for Mexican-inspired dishes. This type of cheese sauce is a great option for those who are allergic to nuts, as it can also be made with tahini instead of cashews.
Cashew cheese can be used in a variety of Mexican dishes, such as nachos, burrito bowls, tacos, and enchiladas. It can also be served as a dip with tortilla chips or added to Cauliflower Rice Burrito Bowls. For those who enjoy a little more spice, pico de gallo, fresh cilantro, pickled jalapeño slices, red salsa, or pickled red onions can be added on top.
In addition to its use in Mexican cuisine, cashew cheese can also be used in a variety of other dishes. It can be spread on bread or crackers, used as a sandwich spread instead of mayonnaise, or baked into a pizza. It can also be added to pasta dishes, such as mac and cheese, or used as a topping for roasted vegetables.
Cashew cheese is a versatile and delicious option for those who are vegan or allergic to dairy. It can be made in a variety of ways and used in a range of dishes, making it a great alternative to traditional cheese.
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Cashew cheese as a soft cheese alternative
Cashew cheese is a delicious alternative to traditional soft cheese spreads. It is made with raw cashews and nutritional yeast, which give it a tasty, cheesy flavour. The mild flavour of cashews also provides a great base for other ingredients, such as jalapeños, garlic, lemon juice, coconut oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper. The consistency of cashew cheese can vary depending on its intended use, from a loose, creamy texture to a thick, crumbly batch.
To make cashew cheese, cashews are soaked in water overnight or boiled for 20 minutes to soften them. They are then blended with other ingredients until smooth. The mixture is then shaped into logs and refrigerated to set. The cheese can be sliced and spread, added to dishes such as pasta or used as a dip.
Cashew cheese is a versatile alternative to soft cheese, perfect for those who want a dairy-free option or who are looking to try something new. It can be used in a variety of dishes, including:
- Mac and cheese
- Spread on a bagel
- Drizzled over roasted vegetables
- In a sandwich instead of mayonnaise
- On a pizza
- As a dip with crackers and crudités
- In Mexican-inspired dishes such as burritos, nachos, and tacos
- In a cheese sauce for pasta, enchiladas, and more
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Frequently asked questions
Cashew cheese is a vegan alternative to traditional soft cheese spreads. It can be used in the same way as traditional goat cheese or crumbly/spreadable cheese.
Cashew cheese has a creamy flavour and texture. It is mild, which makes it a great base for other flavours. Nutritional yeast is added to give cashew cheese its cheesy flavour and yellow colour.
Cashew cheese can be used in a variety of recipes, including mac and cheese, burritos, nachos, tacos, enchiladas, pasta, and more. It can also be used as a dip for tortilla chips or vegetables, or as a spread on bread, bagels, or crackers.
Cashew cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5-7 days. It can also be frozen and then defrosted, re-blended, and served cold or reheated.
