Garlic Herb Vegan Almond Cheese Spread Food

EASY GARLIC & HERB VEGAN CHEESE

Steps:

• Place cashews in a bowl and cover with cool water. Cover with plastic wrap and set in the refrigerator to soak for 12 hours*. If you can't get to them right away, drain, place back in bowl, and cover with plastic wrap. They will keep refrigerated for 24-36 hours.
• Once soaked, drain cashews thoroughly and add to food processor. Add minced garlic, garlic powder, lemon zest, lemon juice, water (starting with lesser end of range), nutritional yeast, salt and olive oil.
• Process until very creamy and smooth, scraping down sides and adding additional water as needed. Then taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding more lemon zest for tartness, nutritional yeast for cheesiness, garlic for zing, or salt for flavor + balance.
• Place a fine mesh strainer (or colander) over a large mixing bowl, and lay down two layers of cheesecloth (or a clean, fine, absorbent towel).
• Use a spatula to scoop all cheese over the cheesecloth, then gather the corners and twist the top gently to form the cheese into a "disc." Secure with a rubber band.
• Place in refrigerator to set for at least 6 hours, preferably 12, or until excess moisture has been wicked away, and it holds its form when released from the cheesecloth. The longer it sits in the fridge the more it will firm up.
• To serve, unwrap from cheesecloth and gently invert onto a serving platter. Reform with hands or cheesecloth as needed, then coat with chopped herbs and a bit more lemon zest (optional). It is fragile, so handle gently.
• Enjoy chilled with crackers or vegetables. Cheese will hold its form for 1-2 hours out of the refrigerator, but best when chilled. Leftovers keep well covered in the refrigerator up to 5 days.

GARLIC HERB VEGAN ALMOND CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Place the raw almonds into a glass container and cover with water. Cover, and place in the refrigerator. Soak for 24 hours.
• Drain and rinse the soaked almonds after the 24 hours have passed.
• Place the soaked almonds, water, lemon juice, nutritional yeast, olive oil, garlic powder, and salt into a high speed blender. Blend until smooth.
• Empty mixture into a bowl, add chopped herbs and mix until everything is combined.
• Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for a few hours so the flavour can develop.
• Store unused spread in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 4-5 days.

EASY GARLIC HERB VEGAN CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• To a high-speed blender or food processor add the water, lemon juice, garlic, and almond flour. Blend until the texture is smooth and creamy. You may have to stop a couple of times to scrape down the sides. You can also add 1 tablespoon of water at a time to help the blending process, but don't add too much or you will get runny cheese.
• Transfer the mixture to a small mixing bowl, add nutritional yeast and herbs, and stir until everything is well combined. Taste and season with salt as necessary.
• Spoon the vegan cheese spread into the desired container, make sure it's packed really well, place it in the fridge, and allow the cheese to sit for 1-2 hours if you prefer a firmer spread.
• Enjoy with veggies, crackers, bagels, or sandwiches.

ALMOND 'FETA CHEESE' SPREAD WITH HERB OIL (VEGAN)

Steps:

• Place almonds in medium bowl and cover with 3 inches of water. Let soak 24 hours. Drain and rinse.
• Puree almonds, lemon juice, 3 T olive oil, garlic, salt and 1/2 cup water in blender or food processor for 6 minutes or until really creamy.
• Place a triple layer of cheesecloth in strainer and spoon almond mixture onto cheesecloth. Bring sides together twist into an orange-sized ball and secure with a twist tie. Chill for 12 hours.
• Line baking sheet with parchment and transfer almond ball from cheesecloth. Shape to look like a 6" round of brie (about 3/4" thick). (Note, I just put it into a pretty pottery bowl and baked it. Then I could pour the oil on top and serve it. No parchment needed.).
• Bake 40 minutes or until top is slightly firm. Cool. Then chill.
• Combine 1/4 cup olive oil with herbs and heat over medium low heat until heated through but not simmering. Cool to room temperature and drizzle over almond spread just before serving.
• Spread on crusty bread or crakers. You'll love it!

GARLIC-HERB CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Beat all ingredients in a medium glass bowl with electric mixer on medium speed 2-3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
• Cover and refrigerate until serving.