Smoked Cashew Cheese Recipe [easy healthy vegan cheese] (2024)

FAQs

Is vegan cashew cheese healthy? ›

Cashew nuts are a great alternative as a base for vegan cheese. They are low in saturated fat, taste great, and are a good source of protein. High oleic expeller pressed sunflower oil can be used for added creaminess in place of coconut oil.

Carrageenan is an especially excellent substitute for agar agar in vegan cheese and mousse. If you're looking for a great substitute for agar agar in cheesecake, carrageenan is your best bet. You can also use it as a substitute in soups, puddings, ice creams, creamers, and plant-based milk and cheeses.

If you check your vegan cheese to see if it is wrapped in an air tight and sealed wrapper, it will last much longer. We find that these vegan cheeses will potentially last months.

One of the main benefits of vegan cheese is its lack of natural cholesterol, which comes mostly from animal products, especially animal fats.

Some of the more processed types of vegan cheese contain large amounts of refined oils, preservatives, color additives and sodium while being mostly void of substantial nutritional value. In general, foods like this should be consumed minimally, if at all.

When it comes to cooking and baking, agar agar and gelatin are often used interchangeably. However, there are some key differences to keep in mind when using these ingredients in your recipes. Firstly, agar agar is derived from seaweed, while gelatin is made from animal collagen.

Simply swap in cornstarch at a 50:50 ratio to replace agar agar.

There are many great substitutes that can give your food that same delicious flavor, nutrition, and texture. Here are some of the best substitutes for agar agar including agar agar flakes, gelatin, cornstarch, arrowroot, guar gum, xanthan gum, and pectin powder.

Storing. Store the leftover cashew cheese in an airtight container in the fridge for 5 to 6 days. It freezes well, too! Before serving, let the sauce thaw, then re-blend it or whisk it well.

Unlike traditional cheeses, vegan cheeses contain no cholesterol. They are an excellent option if you want to appreciate the great taste of cheese without causing your cholesterol levels to rise! And even better, plant-based cheeses are known for their high content of phytosterols (or plant sterols).

Can you eat unrefrigerated vegan cheese? ›

If you have vegan cheese which needs to be kept cool, hence refrigeration is required, we would recommend not having it out more than a few hours.

Because our bodies don't produce alpha galactosidase — the enzyme that breaks down the sugars — bacteria in our gut consume and break down the sugars instead. As a by-product of digestion, the bacteria releases gas, which causes you to bloat and release . . . well, you get it.

The dietary fiber and polyphenols in whole plant foods are known to reduce gut inflammation, so a plant-based diet based on whole foods that includes moderate amounts of vegan cheese will likely be overwhelmingly anti-inflammatory.

If you're avoiding regular cheese because of the saturated fat, you may not need to. Recent research shows cheese may actually be good for your health and reduce your risk of diabetes and heart disease. Vegan cheeses are typically lower in fat, protein and calcium than regular cheese and are likely gluten-free.

Some vegan cheeses are fermented with probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that can improve your gut health and balance your microbiome. Look for vegan cheeses that contain live cultures or state their probiotic content on the label. Be free of hormones.

Nuts were a game-changer for vegan cheese because they provide a lot of fat: 100 grams of cashews have 44 grams of fat, versus 6.4 grams of fat in the same amount of soybeans. This allows for richer flavor and texture that gets closer to imitating animal milk dairy.

Unlike traditional cheeses, vegan cheeses contain no cholesterol. They are an excellent option if you want to appreciate the great taste of cheese without causing your cholesterol levels to rise! And even better, plant-based cheeses are known for their high content of phytosterols (or plant sterols).