Contrary to popular belief, being Plant Based or Vegan doesn’t mean that you miss out on all the cheesy recipes that non-vegans eat. There are tons of dairy free options at grocery stores. Most are loaded with unhealthy preservatives and ingredients that I cannot even pronounce. Nut cheese, when made with plant-based ingredients, is not only delicious, but healthier than its casein counterpart. It’s also extremely easy to whip up so there’s no need to buy it at the store.
Why Cashew Cheese is Healthy
Aside from being super delicious, plant-based cashew cheese is rich with Vitamin B, Calcium, Protein and Fiber. It has more vitamins and minerals than dairy. Unlike animal cheese, it does not have saturated fats which increase cholesterol and your risk of heart disease and stroke.
How cashew cheese helps with weight loss
Since cashews are high in protein and healthy fat, cashew cheese will help you stay full longer and reduce cravings. You can use the cheese to make all kinds of recipes for pizza, pasta sauce, dressings and dips. It will instantly make any bland recipe delicious and nutritious, which makes it easy to continue eating healthy.
To Soak or Not to Soak
If you have time, it’s best to soak the cashews. This will make them soft and the creamy consistency be easily achievable. When cashes are soaked, the enzymes are neutralized so our bodies digest them better. All you have to do is get raw, unsalted cashews, put them in a container and fill the container up with water. Wait at least 2 hours or simply do it the night before and TADA! It really is that simple! If you are in a pinch, you can simply use raw unsalted cashews. I’ve done this before and used my Kuvings Power Blender to grind them up. The consistency was creamy and buttery in minutes. *Note that high speed blenders are the best tools to use to achieve creaminess.
3 Minute Cashew Recipe
Ingredients:
1 Cup of Raw Cashews soaked overnight (Fine to use non-soaked cashews in a pinch)
2-3 Tablespoons of nutritional yeast
2-3 Tablespoons of lemon juice
¼ Teaspoon of salt
¼ Teaspoon of black pepper
¼ Teaspoon of garlic salt (Add a clove of fresh garlic for extra spiciness)
¼ Cup of water (More for a creamier consistency)
Directions:
- Drain and rinse soaked cashews (Or simply put un soaked cashews in your blender)
- Place all ingredients in a high-powered blender and pulse for about 30 seconds
- Open up the blender and use a spatula to check the consistency. Add more water for a creamier consistency.
- Taste the cheese and add condiments to taste
- Blend for another 30 seconds with adjusted ingredients.
It really is that simple! Let me know if you made it and how it turned out in the comments below.
Feel free to check out the Video Recipe: