How To Make A Vegan Cheese?

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

a healthier cheese

To prepare a vegan cheese, only vegetable products are used. Unlike 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. Also, they are low in sodium and sugars and a good source of protein.

Vegan cheese meets the nutritional needs of people who suffer from lactose intolerance or allergy. Also of those who, of their own choice, opted for a dairy-free lifestyle; this is the case for vegans and some vegetarians.

Furthermore, these preparations are ideal for those people who must maintain a diet low in animal fat; even if it is just to have a healthier diet or less consumption of animal products.

Although there are some ready-made vegan cheeses on the market, it is best to make them at home so they are more natural. For this you can use a variety of ingredients, adapted to all tastes and budgets. Next, we’ll look at some ideas on how to make a vegan cheese.

1. Vegan chickpea cheese

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

Ingredients

• 1 liter 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. Soak the chickpeas in cold water overnight.
2. Drain the water from the sauce, add a liter of cold water and mix with an electric mixer.
3. Pass the preparation through a very fine sieve and place it in a pan over medium heat, stirring until it thickens.
4. When it starts to boil, add the yeast, a tablespoon of oil and season with salt, garlic powder and paprika to taste.
5. Keep stirring until the preparation has a creamy consistency.
6. Grease a mold with oil and pour in the preparation.
7. Refrigerate for at least an hour before unmolding.

2. Vegan Almond Cheese

Making vegan almond cheese at home is very simple. It is a delicious and healthy option to eat with toast and biscuits or combine it with carrot and celery sticks.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of shelled almonds (300 g).
• 6 tablespoons of 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. Let the almonds soak for 24 hours.
2. Drain the water from the sauce and process the almonds in a food processor (or blender) along with lemon juice, water, oil and sauces.
3. Allow the mixture to drain onto a clean, fine kitchen towel in the refrigerator overnight.
4. Place the preparation in a lightly greased mold and bake at low temperature (100 ºC) for approximately 50 minutes.
5. Allow to cool and unmold.

3. Vegan potato and carrot cheese

The ingredients needed to prepare this vegan cheese are very easy to find and are also very economical. It is a simple and delicious recipe, ideal for breakfast, snacks or snacks between meals.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of peeled and chopped potatoes (400 g).
• 1 cup of peeled and diced carrots (200 g).
• 5 tablespoons of 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. Cook potatoes and carrots until tender.
2. Drain the cooking water. Set aside half a cup of this water.
3. Process or liquefy the vegetables with the reserved water and the rest of the ingredients until obtaining a creamy texture.
4. Refrigerate until cool. This recipe provides us with lots of nutrients, with a very low percentage of fat, ideal for weight loss diets.