Cultured Vegan Cashew Cheese

There are so many varieties of vegan cheeses you can easily make at home! I generally make this cashew cheese for pizza and this cheesy sauce for pasta and veggie casseroles. However, when it comes to bread spreads, I prefer this cultured, no-cook version that has a natural tang to it. This version is also richer than the others on my blog, so a little goes a long way. 

This cultured cashew cheese is intensely creamy with a sharp tang. Slather on toasts and top with sliced cucumbers, or serve alongside piping hot aloo parathas for a hearty breakfast.

 Note: It is important to use a curd starter liquid to introduce “good” bacteria to the cashew paste. You can also use any vegan curd instead but it may affect the flavor of the cheese. 

 Yields around 4-5 servings 

Time Taken: 10 minutes (active time) + 24-48 hours (passive time)

1 Indian teacup = 150 ml

Ingredients

• 1 cup broken cashews (soaked for 4-5 hours, rinsed, and drained)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 level tablespoon nutritional yeast extract*
• 2 teaspoons curd starter liquid
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper powder/garlic powder/Italian seasoning (optional)

Method:

1. Grind the soaked cashews with water and starter liquid to get a smooth paste. Transfer to a bowl.

2. Cover the bowl with a plate and keep it aside to culture for at least 24 hours. In colder climates, it might take up to 48 hours. The “cheese” is ready if it has become somewhat bubbly and has a pleasant sourish flavor. 

3. Transfer to a blender jar, add nutritional yeast, salt to taste, pepper powder/garlic powder/Italian seasoning, if using, and blend until smooth and creamy. Your cultured cashew cheese is ready! Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to a week. 

Spread this tangy cashew cheese on toasts or parathas! You can also use it as a dip for cucumber and carrot slices. Since it is a cultured no-cook cheese, I wouldn’t recommend heating it. For pizzas and pasta, try this cashew cheese spread. 

Note: Don’t use if the cashew paste smells unpleasant or has visible molds. 

*To order nutritional yeast, mail Bhupi Maru at [email protected] or call him at +91 9080518857 and enquire about their product list. While Bon Appetit is not a vegan enterprise, it has a variety of vegan goodies. Check it out!