This rich and creamy spread can easily take the place of any soft cheese, like cream cheese, but unlike dairy-based cheeses, it does not contain any saturated animal fat or cholesterol and does not come with all the risks and problems of dairy. On the other hand, being a plant cheese it DOES contain fiber and is loaded with healthy fats and protein, as well as vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.

It is incredibly versatile because you can flavor it in any way you like, whether you want a spicy, sweet, sour, smoked, or herbed version, and it can complement almost any dish. You can spread it on some wholesome bread or your homemade flatbreads and crepes to make all kinds of wraps, and even use it on potatoes and other starchy vegetables. You can even cut it into pasta dishes and mix them into other meals. It can be gentle and mild to appeal to young children, and it can be strong and flavorful to appeal to teens and adults.

Characteristics

TYPE: Spread
PREP TIME: < 5 mins (+ soaking time + setting time)
SERVINGS: makes about 4 small cheese bars (over 2 cups of liquid volume)

Characteristics:

  • Vegan / Plant-based
  • Raw
  • Gluten-free
  • Wheat-free
  • Grain-free
  • Soy-free
  • Corn-free
  • Peanut-free
  • Oil-free
  • Sugar-free

Goodies Needed*

INGREDIENTS:

Flavoring Options:

TOOLS:

Preparation Steps

  1. Soak the cashews in a bowl covered with water for 2 to 4 hours prior to making the cheese. (You can also just leave them to soak overnight.) When you are ready to use them, drain all the water and rinse the cashews well several times.




  2. Place one portion of the water (3/4 cup) and all of the ingredients, except for the Agar Agar Powder, in your high-powdered blender, and blend on high speed until a smooth and creamy consistency results.



  3. Place the other portion of the water (3/4 cup) with the Agar Agar powder in the sauce pan and begin to heat on high while stirring to mix and dissolve the powder.



  4. As soon as the Agar Agar powder comes to a boil, add in your cashew mixture and stir everything together until well blended while it is still being heated.





  5. Remove the mixture from heat, and quickly transfer it to your silicone molds. It is important to work with the mixed Agar Agar quickly, as it begins to set right away. Refrigerate until the cheese sets and hardens (at least 2 hours).



  6. After your cheese has set, remove from the molds and enjoy as part of your meals. Store extras in sealed containers in the refrigerator. The cheese should last about 1 week, and it can also be frozen.

Tips:

  • It is essential to use raw cashews for this cheese spread, not roasted cashews. Raw cashews will provide a different flavor, texture, and health and nutrition benefits.
  • I recommend making a simple cheese first, by following the original recipe, before you start experimenting with different flavors so that you have a baseline comparison of what the original cheese is like.
  • The ingredient amounts can be altered slightly, so I recommend that you experiment with what works best for you as you get comfortable with making this cheese. The cheese can be made to have a harder or softer consistency depending on the ingredient ratios and quantities.
  • You can experiment with adding in some starch, about 2 teaspoons, of either Tapioca, Arrowroot, or Organic Corn starch along with your Agar Agar powder. I don’t use this in my cheese recipes, but some others who make these kinds of cheeses do for a slightly different consistency/texture.

Health and Nutrition Benefits

Cashews

  • provide healthy fats, protein, some carbohydrates, and fiber
  • provide phytonutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory benefits
  • provide vitamins, especially vitamin K and some of the B vitamins
  • provide minerals, especially potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, iron, zinc, and selenium
  • support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
  • protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, and other diseases

Nutritional Yeast

  • great source of highly-digestible protein and nutrients
  • provide vitamins, especially B vitamins, including vitamin B12
  • provide minerals, especially molybdenum, iron, selenium, zinc, phosphorus and manganese
  • supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • for more info, see the nutritional yeast overview on Best Natural Foods
  • Tips: Choose a reputable brand of nutritional yeast, as vitamin and mineral amounts will vary widely and some can contain GMO contamination. Note, not all brands contain vitamin B12, so choose a dependable source. Sari Nutritional Yeast is all-natural and non-fortified.

Lemons

  • provide alkalizing, cleansing, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial benefits
  • provide lots of phytonutrients and antioxidants
  • provide some vitamins and minerals, most specifically vitamin C
  • support optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • support healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol levels, and liver function
  • protect against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes, infections, and other diseases

Unrefined Salt

  • unrefined sea salt unrefined Himalayan salt
  • naturally alkalizing
  • a source of over 80 essential and trace minerals
  • supports optimal blood pressure, heart and nervous system health
  • supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • Health Tip: avoid all forms of refined, white salt and processed foods made with it

Optional Additions:

Garlic

  • provides anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties
  • provides lots of phytonutrients and antioxidants
  • provides vitamins, especially vitamin C and some B vitamins
  • provides minerals, especially manganese, selenium, calcium, phosphorus, and copper
  • supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • supports the immune system and iron metabolism
  • protects against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes type 2
  • supports healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels

Ginger

  • provides anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties
  • provides lots of phytonutrients and antioxidants
  • provides vitamins, specifically vitamin C, choline, and folate
  • provides minerals, especially potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and calcium
  • supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • supports digestive health; helps with nausea, vomiting, bloating, and gas
  • supports immune health and protects against infections
  • protects against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes type 2
  • supports healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels

Black Pepper

  • not a significant source of calories or macronutrients (carbs, fats, protein)
  • provides phytonutrients and antioxidants
  • provides anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiviral properties
  • provides vitamins, including vitamin A, C, and K
  • provides minerals, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and iron
  • supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • supports digestive health; helps prevent bloating and gas
  • supports healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
  • protects against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, and other diseases

Cayenne Chili Pepper

  • not a significant source of calories or macronutrients
  • provide lots of phytonutrients, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic properties
  • provides vitamins, especially rich in vitamin A, C, K, and some B vitamins, including folate
  • provides minerals, especially potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and calcium
  • supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • supports healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
  • protects against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, infections, and other diseases

Cumin

  • not a significant source of calories or macronutrients
  • provides phytonutrients, antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial benefits
  • provides vitamins, including vitamin A, C, and some B vitamins
  • provides minerals, especially potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron
  • supports optimal health, weight, healing, and prevention
  • supports healthy blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
  • protects against cardiovascular disease, cancer, diabetes type 2, infections, and other diseases

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