How To Prepare Vegan Cheese?

The good news is that there are ways to avoid lactose or animal products. Certainly, there are many options for making vegan cheese. It is worth remembering that there are always alternatives and that it is up to us to go for them. Limitations, on many occasions, help us unleash our creativity.

A healthier cheese

To prepare vegan cheese exclusively vegetable products are used. Unlike what happens with traditional cheese, which is made from casein, a type of protein from the milk of cows, sheep or goats.

Vegetable cheeses contain much less cholesterol, fat, and carbohydrates than cheeses made with milk. In addition, they are low in sodium and sugars, and constitute a good supply of protein.

Vegan cheese meets the nutritional needs of those who suffer from lactose intolerance or allergy. Also of those who by their own choice have opted for a lifestyle without dairy products; this is the case for vegans and some vegetarians.

In addition to the above, these preparations are ideal for those who must maintain a diet low in animal fat; even if it is just for eating a healthier diet or having a more considerate consumption of animal products.

Although there are some vegan cheeses already prepared on the market, it is better to prepare them at home so that they are more natural. For this you can use a wide variety of ingredients, adapted to all tastes and pockets.  Here are some ideas on how to make vegan cheese.

1. Vegan chickpea cheese

This cheese is very easy to prepare at home and can be included in salads, sandwiches or simply eaten with a slice of bread. It is a highly recommended option for all palates.

Ingredients

• 1 L of water.
• Salt to taste).
• Paprika (to taste).
• Garlic powder (5 g).
• Olive oil (to taste)
• 2 cups of cooked chickpeas (400 g).
• 6 tablespoons of nutritional yeast (70 g).

Preparation

1. First, soak the chickpeas in plenty of cold water overnight.
2. Then drain the soaking water, add a liter of cold water and mix with an electric mixer.
3. Pass the preparation through a very fine strainer and put it in a pot over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens.
4. When it starts to boil, add the yeast, a tablespoon of olive oil and season with salt, garlic powder and paprika to taste.
5. Continue stirring then until the preparation has a creamy consistency.
6. Spread a mold with olive oil and pour the preparation later.
7. Leave in the refrigerator for at least an hour before unmolding.

2. Vegan almond cheese

Making vegan almond cheese at home is very easy. It is a delicious and healthy option to spread on toast and cookies or to pair with carrot and celery sticks.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of peeled almonds (300 g).
• 6 tablespoons of olive oil (70 mL).
• 4 tablespoons of lemon juice (50 mL).
• 1 cup of water (240 mL).
• Dried rosemary (to taste)
• Garlic powder (5 g).
• Salt to taste).

Preparation

1. First, soak the almonds for 24 hours.
2. Then drain the soaking water and blend the almonds in a food processor (or blender) together with the lemon juice, water, olive oil and seasonings.
3. Then let this mixture drain on a clean, fine kitchen cloth in the refrigerator overnight.
4. Place the preparation in a lightly greased mold and bake at a low temperature (100º C) for approximately 50 minutes.
5. Let cool and unmold.

3. Vegan potato and carrot cheese

The ingredients that are needed to prepare this vegan cheese are very easy to find and they are also very inexpensive. Thus, e s a simple and delicious recipe, ideal for breakfast, snack or take snacks between meals.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of peeled and diced potatoes (400 g).
• 1 cup of peeled and cubed carrots (200 g).
• 5 tablespoons of olive oil (70 mL).
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice (30 mL).
• 1/2 cup of brewer’s yeast (100 g).
• 1/2 cup of water (120 mL).
• Salt and paprika (to taste).
• Garlic powder (5 g).

Preparation

1. First, cook the potatoes and carrots until soft.
2. Then drain the cooking water. Reserve half a cup of this water.
3. Next, process or blend the vegetables with the reserved water and the rest of the ingredients, until a creamy texture is obtained.
4. Finally, leave in the refrigerator until cold. This recipe provides us with many nutrients, with very little fat percentage, ideal for weight loss diets.