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Tag: cheese

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The Ultimate Cheese Board

Cashew Cheese Board
5 Cashew Cheese Wheels

Are you tired of putting out chips and dip for your family parties and looking for an alternative to the “unhealthy” snacks we load up on during the holidays? Well look no further, because I have this amazing plant-based cashew cheese board with five cheese wheels. This recipe shows you how to take one plain (scrumptious and delicious) cashew cheese and turn it into crafted artisan cheese that will have your guests asking where you purchased it from. Although this recipe does take a bit of time to make, it is well worth every bite.

Yields 4-5 servings per wheel

Plain Cashew Cheese

Plain (Cheese Base):

Ingredients

3 cups Vitacost unsalted cashews, soaked overnight

1/2 cup filtered water

1 capsule Vitacost ROOT2 Extra Strength Probiotic Vegan – 50 billion CFU

1/2 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

Directions

  1. In a bowl, cover the cashews with water for about 9 hours (or overnight). Drain and rinse the cashews. Set aside.
  2. In a blender, add the cashews, probiotic powder (from the capsules), and water. Blend ingredients until smooth in texture.
  3. Using two cheese clothes layered in a colander, pour the mixture into the lines colander- folding the cheesecloth on top.
  4. Place this in a warm spot to culture for roughly 24-36 hours.
  5. Serve on one big cheese board or individually with fresh fruit, dried fruit, cookies, pretzels, medjool dates, sun-dried tomato, grapes, crackers, or any of your own choices.

Herb-Coated Cheese Wheel:

Herb-Coated Cashew Cheese

Ingredients

3 tsp. fresh thyme

3 tsp. fresh rosemary

4 Tbsp. fresh parsley

1-1/2 tsp. Lemon zest, fresh

1/2 tsp Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

Directions

  1. Roll the plain cheese into the herb mix. Allow to set in fridge after rolling to hold its shape.

Blueberry-Smash Breakfast Cheese:

Blueberry Cashew Cheese

Ingredients

4 tsp. blueberries, smashed

2 tsp. blueberries, chopped

Directions

  1. Add the smashed and chopped blueberries, mix and place into the fridge for 1-2 hours to set.

Pistachio and Sun-dried Tomato Holiday Cheese:

Pistachio and Sun-dried tomato Cashew Cheese

Ingredients

1/2 cup pistachio, chopped to coat

1/4 cup sun-dried tomato, to coat

1 Tbsp. fresh parsley

3 tsp. fresh thyme 

4 tsp. fresh rosemary

1/2 tsp. garlic, minced

Directions

  1. Mix herbs into the cheese, refrigerate for 1-2 hours to set in mold. Roll in pistachio and sun-dried tomato.

Pecan-Chip Cookie “Cheesecake” Wheel with Strawberry Jam:

Cheesecake Cashew Cheese

Ingredients

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/4 cup Simple Mills pecan cookies, crumbled

3 tsp. Vitacost chocolate chips

3 tsp. strawberry jam, on side

Directions

  1. Combine plain cheese base, chocolate chips, maple syrup and mix until well combined. Place in the fridge as well for 1-2 hours to set shape. Remove and roll in fine cookie crumbles.

Chef’s tip: Feel free to use the plain cheese as you wish to create a flavor of your liking!

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Herb-Coated Cheese

Herb-Crusted Cheese

Herb-Crusted Cheese

Why go to the market to buy cheese when you can make it at home! Using a few probiotics, you can create a smooth and flavorful herb-crusted cheese wheel. This plant-based and dairy-free cheese is a great alternative and simple appetizer for any party. Your family or guests will surely be impressed when you pull this out of the fridge!

Herb-Crusted Cheese

Yields 4-6 servings

Ingredients 

Cheese:

3 cups Vitacost organic cashews, soaked overnight 8-10 hours 

4 capsules New Chapter Probiotic All-Flora

1/2 cup filtered water

1/2 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

Herb coating:

3 tsp. fresh thyme, chopped

3 tsp. fresh rosemary, chopped

4 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped

1-1/2 tsp. lemon zest

1/2 tsp. Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

1/4 tsp. Spicely Organics Ground Black Pepper

Herb-Crusted Cheese

Directions

  1. In a bowl, cover the cashews with water for about 9 hours (or overnight). Drain and rinse the cashews. Set aside.
  2. In a blender, add the cashews, probiotic powder (from the capsules), and water. Blend ingredients until smooth in texture.
  3. Using two cheese clothes layered in a colander, pour the mixture into the lines colander- folding the cheesecloth on top.
  4. Place this in a warm spot to culture for roughly 24-36 hours.
  5. Mix salt into the cultured cheese and stir to combine. Press mixture into desired mold and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
  6. Roll the cheese carefully in the herb mixture.
  7. Serve with your choice of crackers, veggies, or fruit.

Herb-Crusted Cheese

Chef’s tip: For maximum flavor, roll the cheese carefully into the herb mixture and refrigerate for a few hours to let flavors meld. 

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Simple Nachos

Nachos

Nachos

These may look like any ordinary nachos you may get- but I advise you they are not. This plant-based nacho cheese will shock you once you know it is not made with any dairy or cheese. These nachos are simple enough where all you need is some drizzled sauce and sliced jalapeño peppers. You can always add your toppings of choice if you would like guacamole, salsa, corn, etc. Enjoy!

Nachos

Yields 16 oz

Ingredients

1 bag of organic yellow corn chips

1 jalapeño pepper

1/2 cup na-cho average cheese dip

Directions

  1. Place chips on plate and pour cheese sauce on top. Place jalapeño or any other toppings you would like and serve.

Chef’s tip: To make sure that you don’t get too much spiciness, de-seed the jalapeño before putting it as your topping.

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Cheese Fries

Cheese Fries

Cheese Fries

Looking to step up your french fry game? This awesome na-cho average cheese sauce is a great way to make your basic side dish into something new and tasty! Just top it off with some homemade mushroom bacon and green onions. Once you taste how cheesy these are without the dairy, you’ll be surprised and wanting more!

Cheese Fries

Yields 16 oz

Ingredients

1 russet potato, sliced into sticks

1 half lemon, juice

pinch of Vitacost Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

pinch of Spicely Organics ground black pepper

1/3 cup na-cho average cheese dip

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, add the sliced potato and coat with lemon.
  3. Lay fries in a single layer on pan and roast for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown.
  4. On a plate, place potato wedges down and top with nacho sauce, mushroom bacon, and green onion. Serve immediately.
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Na-Cho Average Cheese Dip

Nacho Cheese

If you knew that this was made out of potatoes, carrots, and no cheese- you would be shocked! This finger licking good nacho sauce is a great addition to your taco night or to satisfy any cheese craving. By simply blending up a few ingredients, you have a plant-based dip to make a wide variety of meals or appetizers. Make sure to check out my nacho cheese fries or my nachos recipe for some extra ideas.

Nacho Cheese

Yield 16 oz.

Ingredients

1/2 cup filtered water, for boiling

2 cups russet potatoes, chopped

1 cup carrots, chopped

1/2 cup filtered water

1/3 cup avocado oil

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

1/2 cup nutritional yeast

2 tsp. Himalayan Fine Pink Salt

1/4 tsp. onion powder

1/4 tsp. garlic powder

Pinch of smoked paprika

Directions

  1. In a small pot with 1/2 cup water, boil the potatoes and carrots until fork tender. Drain and place into a blender.
  2. In the blender, combine the remaining  ingredients and blend until smooth.
  3. Serve either hot or cold

Chef’s tip: Add a jalapeño and diced tomatoes for the best queso dip