cheese like foods – The Vegan Love Project

SIMPLE FERMENTED CASHEW CREAM CHEESE 2018

This is bomb. Leave out the onion powder and you have the base for a cheesecake, I know because I’ve made it. That recipe is coming soon. Try this. YUM. Perfect on crackers, bread, with raw fresh veggies like celery or carrots dipped into it…top it with olives, mix the olives in, chop up some chives…this shit is DOPE.

SIMPLE FERMENTED CASHEW CREAM CHEESE 2018

1c cashews, soaked for an hour then drained

vegan probiotics- 2 capsules (empty powder and dispose of the capsule) or 1t powder

1/2c-filtered water

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1/2t pink salt

1/4t onion powder

2t lemon juice (omit if fresh is not available)

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Step 1.

In a Vitamix or high-powered blender, add the cashews and water.

Blend this at a lower speed initially to well incorporate the contents, speed up the motor as it gets blended. You will need to process this for at least 4-5 minutes until the cashews are absolutely creamy. Scrape down the sides intermittently and be sure to get all possible ‘pieces’ of cashews blended into the mix. Add a T of water as needed if the mixture gets stuck. If you run this too fast, the contents will heat up- if this happens let it cool prior to adding the probiotics.

When totally creamy and smooth, add the probiotics and blend for 20-30 more seconds. Remove to a glass or stainless steel bowl and set in a safe, warm place- I place mine in the dehydrator at about 100 degrees and let it run overnight. In lieu of a dehydrator, place it in a warm spot in your kitchen, covered. Leave this overnight at minimum, taste for the sour, and let it sit until desired sourness up to 24hours.

Step 2.

Mix in the salt, onion powder and lemon juice. Transfer to a container and place in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set and flavors to meld.

I Totally Winged It Amazing Macaroni & Cheese with Broccoli

Since opening the second studio- time has become even more precious and my commitment to eating beautiful foods has become even more a priority (NO MORE PALM OIL). I had a craving for Mac & Cheese and none of the ingredients that I had used to make the last recipe- I had no beans that were cooked in the house other than dal, no peppers, so I improvised with what I had- homemade hummus, and a beautiful local Butterkin Squash that I roasted. Instead of adding garlic and beans I added the hummus, I added my Fermented Hot Sauce instead of fresh red peppers. It came out spicy and perfectly paired with the sweetness of local broccoli. It was SO SO good- I made it after class and it literally took no more than the 15 minutes to boil the pasta before I was sitting down eating it. Hope you enjoy it!

I Totally Winged It Amazing Macaroni & Cheese with Broccoli

1c prepared hummus or chickpeas or white beans

3T fermented Hot Sauce or sriracha (spicy)

2T mellow white miso paste

2T cooked squash- Butternut, kobocha or other orange-fleshed squash

1/4c raw cashews

1/4c nutritional yeast

2T tapioca starch

2t agave or maple syrup

2t ume vinegar

1t brown rice vinegar

2t chipotle powder

2T extra virgin olive oil

1c to 1-1/2c water (depending upon desired thickness)

1/2t pink salt

1T coconut oil or vegan NO PALM oil Butter *optional

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2c-cooked broccoli, minced (see below- frozen broccoli would work well)

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1 Pound of Gluten Free Pasta

6c water to boil

2t pink salt

Clean and trim the broccoli and keep in larger florets with stalks.

In a large pot, bring the water to a boil, add the salt, toss in the broccoli and cook just until tender and bright green- about 3-4 minutes. With a slotted spoon, sweep the broccoli out into a strainer and set aside to cool.

Add the pasta into the boiling water and cook until tender- 10-12 minutes or according to package.

While the pasta is cooking, when the broccoli is cool, using a sharp knife, mince the broccoli. Lightly salt and pepper and set aside.

Place all of ingredients except the tapioca starch and broccoli, into a blender and process until smooth and creamy. Taste it and adjust for saltiness and seasoning. Add in the tapioca starch and blend well.

Drain the pasta and set aside. In the same pot add the cheese sauce and stir over medium heat until it starts to thicken- about 2-3 minutes. Add in the pasta and continue to cook over medium heat for an additional 2-3 minutes or until the entire mixture is heated through. Add in the coconut oil or butter. Add in the broccoli and stir until well incorporated.

Serve immediately. YUM.

AMAZING MACARONI & CHEESE

AMAZING MACARONI & CHEESE

This stuff is INCREDIBLE! Can be made completely gluten-free, nut-free, and or soy-free. I have been experimenting with tapioca flour lately and its delivering some pretty amazing results! I dare you to experiment with other beans, other peppers, other pastas- its completely amazing on the stove top or scroll down for a baked Mac&Cheese option. Let me know how it goes!

Cheese Sauce:

1c baby lima beans, cooked

½ red bell pepper OR 2 cherry bomb peppers (spicy)

2T mellow white miso paste

1/4c raw cashews OR 1/4c tofu (nut free) OR 1/4c coconut oil or Manna (soy free)

1/4c nutritional yeast

1 clove garlic

2T tapioca starch

2t ume vinegar

1t brown rice vinegar

2t chipotle powder

2T extra virgin olive oil

Juice of 1 lemon

1c to 1-1/2c water (depending upon desired thickness)

1/2t pink salt

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1 Pound of Gluten Free Elbow Pasta or other pasta

6c water to boil

2t pink salt

In a large pot, bring the pasta water to a boil, add the salt, toss in the pasta and cook until tender- 10-12 minutes or according to package. Drain and set aside.

Place all of ingredients except the tapioca starch into a blender and process until smooth and creamy. Taste it and adjust for saltiness and seasoning. When it tastes how you like, blend in the tapioca.

In a large pot (I use the pasta pot), put the cooked pasta back in, drizzle some coconut or olive oil in and add the cheese sauce. Put back over medium heat and mix and stir well. The heat will make the mixture thicken and get creamy. When at desired creaminess, plate and indulge!!!

For Baked Mac&Cheese:

Leave the Mac&Cheese mixture on the wetter, creamier side- this is because it will be taking on additional cooking in the oven and you don’t want it to dry out.

Toast gluten free bread or bread of your choosing- enough to cover the portion you are baking. With a sharp knife, mince the bread into teeny pieces. Toss with coconut oil and salt and nutritional yeast. Scoop a single serving (or larger) and top with the breadcrumbs. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until bubbling and hot.

Cherry Bomb Cashew Cheese

cherrybomb-cashew-cheese

Sort of spicy, sort of sweet, oh so smokey and delicious. So yum on crackers or on a gluten free bagel with fresh tomatoes.

2c cashews, soaked for an hour (this step can be skipped)

1T mellow white miso

2 capsules vegan probiotics (empty powder and dispose of the capsule)

1/2c filtered water -up to 3/4 if needed

1 clove garlic

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2 Cherry Bomb Peppers, seeded and minced

1/2t pink salt

4T coconut oil

1/2t chipotle powder

1/2t raw honey or raw agave

3T nutritional yeast

2t lemon juice (omit if fresh is not available)

—

Step 1.

In a Vitamix or high-powered blender, add the cashews (drained if soaked), the probiotic powder, miso and 1/2c of water.

Blend this at a lower speed initially to well incorporate the contents, speed up the motor as it gets blended. You will need to process this for at least 4-5 minutes until the cashews are absolutely creamy. Scrape down the sides intermittently and be sure to get all possible ‘pieces’ of cashews blended into the mix. Add a T of water as needed if the mixture gets stuck. If you process too fast, the contents will heat up, creating an oily mixture.

When totally creamy and smooth, remove to a glass or stainless steel bowl and set in a safe, warm place- I place mine in the dehydrator covered at about 100 degrees and let it run overnight. In lieu of a dehydrator, place it in a warm spot in your kitchen, covered for up to 24 hours.

Step 2.

Mix in the salt, nutritional yeast, peppers, chipotle powder, coconut oil (should be room temp and soft, not liquid), and lemon juice. Transfer to a container and place in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set, best, overnight. It becomes a beautiful, spreadable, creamy cheesy bit of awesomeness that you can spread or use as a dip.

Basil Jalapeño Cheese Dip

Basil Jalapeno Cheese Dip

2c cashews, soaked for an hour (this step can be skipped)

1T mellow white miso

2 capsules vegan probiotics (empty powder and dispose of the capsule)

1/2c filtered water -up to 3/4 if needed

1 clove garlic

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1c fresh basil, minced

1/2t pink salt

3T coconut oil

Pinch chipotle powder- more if desired

½ red jalapeno pepper, minced

2T nutritional yeast

3t lemon juice (omit if fresh is not available)

—

Step 1.

In a Vitamix or high-powered blender, add the cashews (drained if soaked), the probiotic powder, miso and 1/2c of water.

Blend this at a lower speed initially to well incorporate the contents, speed up the motor as it gets blended. You will need to process this for at least 4-5 minutes until the cashews are absolutely creamy. Scrape down the sides intermittently and be sure to get all possible ‘pieces’ of cashews blended into the mix. Add a T of water as needed if the mixture gets stuck. If you process too fast, the contents will heat up, creating an oily mixture.

Step 2.

Mix in the salt, nutritional yeast, basil, jalapenos, chipotle powder, coconut oil (should be room temp and soft, not liquid), and lemon juice. Transfer to a container and place in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set, best, overnight. It becomes a beautiful, spreadable, creamy cheesy bit of awesomeness that you can spread or use as a dip.

Sundried Tomato & Ramp Cheese Spread

Seriously… NOT F*CKING AROUND….what a flavor on this cheese!!!! Ramps are only here for such a short time! What a way to celebrate their uniqueness and honor their presence. I had the opportunity to forage for ramps with my friend on her hillside- what a divine way to connect with the planet….spring has finally sprung.

Sundried Tomato & Ramp Cheese Spread

2c cashews, soaked for an hour (this step can be skipped)

1T mellow white miso

3 capsules vegan probiotics (empty powder and dispose of the capsule) or 1t powder

1/2c +up to 3T filtered water

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2t onion powder

1/4c sundried tomatoes in oil- just the tomatoes, minced (I used Bionatura’s)

1/2t pink salt

1/4c coconut oil

3t lemon juice (omit if fresh is not available)

6 whole ramps, green & white minced

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Step 1.

In a Vitamix or high-powered blender, add the cashews (drained if soaked), the probiotic powder, miso and 1/2c of water.

When totally creamy and smooth, remove to a glass or stainless steel bowl and set in a safe, warm place- I place mine in the dehydrator uncovered at about 100 degrees and let it run overnight. You could also in lieu of a dehydrator, place it in a warm spot in your kitchen, loosely covered. Leave this overnight or for 24 hours.

Step 2.

Mix in the salt, onion powder, sundried tomatoes, ramps, coconut oil (should be room temp and soft, not liquid), and lemon juice. Transfer to a container and place in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set, best, overnight. It becomes a beautiful, spreadable, creamy cheesy bit of awesomeness.

Smoked Cherry “the Bomb” Pepper Cheese Spread

Smoked Cherry Bomb Pepper Cheese Spread

2c cashews, soaked for an hour (this step can be skipped)

1T mellow white miso

3 capsules vegan probiotics (empty powder and dispose of the capsule) or 1t powder

1/2c +up to 3T filtered water

—

2t onion powder

1t heaping of smoked paprika or smoked chipotle powder

1T heaping of fermented Cherry Bomb Hot sauce or another type of raw hot sauce

1/2t pink salt

1/4c coconut oil

2t lemon juice (omit if fresh is not available)

4 scallions, green & white minced

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Step 1.

In a Vitamix or high-powered blender, add the cashews (drained if soaked), the probiotic powder, miso and 1/2c of water.

Step 2.

Mix in the salt, onion powder, smoked paprika, hot sauce, coconut oil (should be room temp and soft, not liquid), lemon juice, and minced scallions. Transfer to a container and place in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set, best, overnight. It becomes a beautiful, spreadable, creamy cheesy bit of awesomeness.

Plain Sour Cashew Cream

Ummmmmm. It’s Sour Cream. SOUR CREAM. Just made out of cashews…not animal milk.

This. Makes me. Happy.I just had my hands on junky store bought vegan sour cream that was filled with crap. THIS..is not.

Hello Onion Dip, baked potatoes, plain yogurt, you get where I’m going….. Oh. And its RAW and filled with pro-biotics.

Plain Sour Cashew Cream

1c cashews, soaked for an hour (this step can be skipped)

5 capsules vegan probiotics (empty powder and dispose of the capsule) or 1t powder

3/4 +up to 3T filtered water

—

1/2t pink salt

1T lemon juice (omit if fresh is not available)

—

Step 1.

In a Vitamix or high-powered blender, add the cashews (drained if soaked), the probiotic powder, water.

Blend this at a lower speed initially to well incorporate the contents, speed up the motor as it gets blended. You will need to process this for at least 3-5 minutes until the cashews are absolutely creamy. Scrape down the sides intermittently and be sure to get all possible ‘pieces’ of cashews blended into the mix. Add a T of water as needed if the mixture gets stuck or if the mixture seems to thick. If you run this too fast, the contents will heat up, creating an oily mixture.

When totally creamy and smooth, remove to a glass or stainless steel bowl and set in a safe, warm place- I place mine in the dehydrator at about 100 degrees and let it run overnight. You could also in lieu of a dehydrator, place it in a warm spot in your kitchen, covered. Leave this overnight or for 24hours.

Step 2.

Mix in the salt and lemon juice. Transfer to a container and place in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set, best, overnight. If this set up thicker than desired, add a little bit of water to loosen it up to the desired consistency.

Scallion Cream Cheese!

There are no words for the amount of awesomeness this recipe creates. It is truly amazing. I dare anyone to taste this and know the difference between this and a real dairy cream cheese. You can find acidophilus powder but be sure that is a vegan sourced strain. You would sub 1t for the 5 capsules.

Scallion Cream Cheese!

2c cashews, soaked for an hour (this step can be skipped)

1T mellow white miso

2 capsules vegan probiotics (empty powder and dispose of the capsule) or 1t powder

1/2c +up to 3T filtered water

—

2t onion powder

1/2t pink salt

1/4c coconut oil, soft

2t lemon juice (omit if fresh is not available)

4 scallions, green & white minced

—

Step 1.

In a Vitamix or high-powered blender, add the cashews (drained if soaked), the probiotic powder, miso and 1/2c of water.

Step 2.

Mix in the salt, onion powder, coconut oil (should be room temp and soft, not liquid), lemon juice, and minced scallions. Transfer to a container and place in the fridge for at least 6 hours to set, best, overnight. It becomes a beautiful, spreadable, creamy cheese like bit of awesomeness.

Cheesy White-Bean Béchamel Sauce

I had just enough Red Sauce and Tofu Ricotta Filling left over for a personal sized lasagna and I also had cooked some Baby Lima Beans this weekend that I had made Escarole & Beans with hanging out in my fridge so I thought about experimenting with a white cheese sauce. White beans have such great creamy texture that it made making this delicious Béchamel style sauce easy and delicious to boot. I layered it in and topped it with sautéed kale and the whole beautiful party is in the oven. This sauce on its own over a bowl of pasta or noodles would be an exceptionally satisfying and protein filled dish.

Cheesy White-Bean Béchamel Sauce

1c baby Lima or Canelini beans, cooked, drained

1/2c cashew nut milk

1T mellow white miso

2t brown rice vinegar

2t ume vinegar

2t Dijon mustard

1/4t pink salt

1/4t fresh black pepper

1T coconut oil

1T extra virgin olive oil

2T nutritional yeast

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In a blender or vitamix, add all of the ingredients and blend until super smooth and creamy. Adjust the seasonings as neccesary.