Preparing Vegan Cheese: Three Delicious Ideas

Vegan cheese can be prepared in many different and tasty ways. It is low in calories and an excellent alternative for those who are lactose intolerant.

Vegan cheese can be prepared in many different and tasty ways. It is low in calories and an excellent alternative for those who suffer from lactose tolerance.

Due to the growing popularity of vegan and vegetarian eating habits, many people like to use plant- based cheeses. Even if these are different from the traditional products, they are still a great substitute.

Therefore, we present a few ideas below on how you can easily prepare vegan cheese at home.

Many different ingredients can be used, which differ depending on their taste and texture. Although you can buy most of them in the supermarket, it is advisable to make the cheese from organic products. Our three tips will tell you how to do it best.

Why prepare vegan cheese?

There are several explanations why vegan cheese is so popular. At first it has few calories and is therefore suitable for losing weight ; also for ethnic reasons, as vegans avoid animal products.

It is also an alternative for people who are lactose intolerant or who cannot tolerate casein because it has no effect on digestion. Vegan cheese is cholesterol-free, but it has many beneficial nutrients.

Its consistency and taste are also similar to conventional products, making it easy to combine with other ingredients. So if you feel like trying vegan cheese, you should definitely read on.

Prepare vegan cheese: three options

As we already revealed at the beginning, numerous ingredients can be used in the preparation of vegan cheese. This point is another advantage, which is why the recipe ideas below are a healthy way to spice up your meals.

1. Old cheese made from sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are characterized by their heart-healthy fats, proteins and antioxidants. To make this cheese, you need a fermented, plant-based drink such as quinoa, wheat, or spelled.

ingredients

• a cup of soaked sunflower seeds (200 g)
• ½ cup fermented herbal drink (Rejuvelac) (125 ml)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice (30 ml)
• a clove of garlic
• a teaspoon sea salt (5 g)
• freshly ground black pepper (to taste)
• 2 tbsp baker’s yeast (40 g)
• ½ cup dried herbs: thyme, rosemary, oregano (100 g)

preparation

• First, soak the sunflower seeds for at least eight hours.
• Then process them in a food processor and mix them with the herbal drink until they have a creamy consistency.
• Add all ingredients except for the herbs.
• Mix everything together for a few minutes to improve the consistency.
• Then, transfer the mixture to a clean vegetable milk bag and hang it on a hook for eight to twelve hours. Place a bowl underneath to catch the whey.

• When the time has elapsed, take the finished cheese out of the bag and shape it by kneading.
• Spread the herbs evenly over the entire cheese.
• You can eat it fresh if you like. However, if you let it mature a little, its taste will improve. We therefore recommend that you keep it in a dry place for two weeks. During this period, you should turn it every twelve hours.

2. Vegan cheese made from hemp seeds

A delicious option with additional omega 3 is to make vegan cheese from hemp seeds. These provide more energy and at the same time promote cardiovascular health. The result is a cheese similar to Parmesan.

ingredients

• ½ cup of baker’s yeast (100 g)
• ½ cup of peeled hemp seeds (100 g)
• Himalayan salt (depending on taste)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (15 ml)

preparation

• First, put the baker’s yeast, peeled hemp seeds, and salt in a blender or flour mill.
• Then chop the ingredients until you get an even and chewy mass.
• Afterwards, fill them into a small bowl and add the lemon juice.
• Gently stir everything to avoid lumps from forming.
• As soon as the cheese is ready, combine it with, for example, salad, vegetable soups or pasta.

3. Sweet quesillo made from coconut and cashew nuts

If you are looking for something a little more unusual, then this sweet recipe idea is just right for you: The cheese made from coconut and cashew nuts goes perfectly with sandwiches, biscuits or other snacks .

ingredients

• 1 cup of young fruit coconut pulp (200 g)
• ½ cup coconut water (125 ml)
• ½ cup raw, soaked cashew nuts (100 g)
• 2 tbsp baker’s yeast (40 g)
• Sea salt (to taste)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice (15 ml)

preparation

• First of all, soak the cashew nuts for about eight hours.
• Then put all the ingredients in a blender and process them until you get a uniform and chewy mixture.
• Then fill them in a sealable glass container. Do this by leaving about a quarter free so the cheese can breathe as it ferments.
• Cover the preparation with a clean cotton cloth and store it for twelve hours in a cool and dark place (fermentation time).

• Finally, serve the cheese with aromatic, fresh herbs or forest fruits.

Haven’t tried any vegan cheese yet? Then you now have the opportunity to implement our three recipe ideas. Enojy your meal!