4 Easy Raw Food, Dairy-Free Nut-Cheese Recipes Everyone Will Love!
by Guest Blogger
Today, I am in search of good substitutes for cheese that are kid-friendly, kid-approved and mom-approved when it comes to nutrition, feeding the body and a recipe I can feel good about if my child wants to eat it all day long.
Here are some of my favorite cheezy online finds:
Rosemary Honey Nut Cheese
from http://www.rawmazing.com/rosemary-honey-cheese-with-figs-and-a-balsamic-reduction/
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups macadamia nuts,
soaked overnight - 3/4 cup water
- 2 large probiotic capsules
(or one teaspoon probiotic powder) - 1/2 lemon, juice from
- 2 tablespoons rosemary, chopped fine and divided in half
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped shallot
- 2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- Himalayan salt and cracked pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Place soaked macadamia nuts and water in high-speed blender and blend until smooth. Stir in probiotic powder and lemon juice.
2. Line sieve with cheesecloth. Pour in nut mixture, fold cheesecloth over the top and set on a plate.
3. Leave out to culture for 24 hours.
4. Transfer to bowl and stir in half the rosemary, salt, pepper and nutritional yeast. Remove 1/2 cup and set the rest aside.
5. To the 1/2 cup, stir in the remaining rosemary, honey and shallot. Mix well.
6. In a 3 1/2-inch baker’s ring, layer 2/3 of the main mixture, the shallot mixture, then the remaining 1/3 of the main mixture. I use this ring: HIC Stainless Steel Food Ring, 3-1/2-Inch
7. Place in refrigerator to set for a few hours.
Basic Raw Nut Cheese
from http://www.raw-food-diet-inspiration.com/rawcheesenutrecipes.html
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of macadamia nuts, cashews, or any other white nut
(you can substitute seeds or Thai coconut meat if you like) - 1 lemon juiced
- 1 teaspoon salt or 1 celery stalk for a salt-free version
- (optional) small chunk of onion
- water to blend
Directions:
Blend in a Vita-Mix or your favorite blender on high adding just enough water until thick and creamy.
This recipe is great for a vegetable dip or any base for any other cheese.
For Other Flavor Options You Can Add:
- any type of seasoning or fresh herbs
- for a dressing add a bit more water and maybe some fresh garlic
- red pepper
- sun-dried tomatoes
- spice (jalapeno, cayenne, red hot pepper)
- something sweet if you like
(date, 1 tablespoon raisins, Agave Nectar, honey)
Be creative, what kind of cheese do you please and then go from there
Enjoy any variety you can imagine and create.
Walnut Parmesan Cheese
Ingredients:
- 1 cup walnuts chopped until very fine powder
- 1⁄2 tablespoon garlic bread seasoning, dried garlic or 4 fresh pressed garlic cloves
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 4-8 dry tomato slices chopped until very fine, powder
Directions:
Stir ingredients together.
Sprinkle atop raw zucchini pasta or raw pizza, and enjoy!
Creamy Mac Cheese
Ingredients:
- 2 cups macadamia nuts
- 1 lemon juiced
- 1 chunk of onion
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- water to blend
Directions:
Blend in a Vita Mix blender until creamy adding enough water until thick. I like to put it in a pastry bag and create fun designs on to the top of raw pizza and layered salads.
Fermented Nut Cheese – Sour Cream & Onion Dip
from http://www.therawseed.com/2010/08/rejuvelac-revolution-nut-cheese-style_04.html
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cashews (soaked 4-6 hours)
- 1 1/4 cup Rejuvelac
- 2 tbps. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. celtic sea salt
- 2 tsp. onion powder
- sprinkle of cayenne
- 1/3 cup of diced scallions
Directions:
1. Rinse and strain soaked cashews. Blend first two ingredients until thick and creamy. Pour into a glass bowl and cover with a cotton towel or cheesecloth.
2. Place in a warm place to ferment for 24 hours. After 24 hours, stir in remaining ingredients. Chill before serving. Experiment with other seasonings and flavors… the possibilities are endless!
Don’t have Rejuvelac? Try this version…
Fermented Nut Cheese – Sour Cream & Onion Dip
Take 2 (without Rejuvelac)
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cashews (soaked 4-6 hours)
- 1 1/4 cup water
- 2 tsp. probiotic powder
(if you have capsules, pour the powder from the capsules) - 3 tbsp. nutritional yeast
- 2 tbps. lemon juice
- 1 tsp. celtic sea salt
- 2 tsp. onion powder
- sprinkle of cayenne
- 1/3 cup of diced scallions
Directions:
1. Rinse and strain soaked cashews. Blend first four ingredients until thick and creamy. Pour into a glass bowl and cover with a cotton towel or cheesecloth.
2. Place in a warm place to ferment for 24 hours. After 24 hours, stir in remaining ingredients. Chill before serving. Experiment with other seasonings and flavors… the possibilities are endless!
All these cheezy options taste great and got 2 thumbs up from my daughter!!! Now that I’ve got cheeze the whole family is happy with, I’m off to try my hand at that raw pizza at http://www.raw-food-diet-inspiration.com/ .
Have a happy cheezy day!