Wine & cheese night just got a whole lot better! Doesn’t a curated food board just put you in a great mood? Whether you have guests over or simply snack while watching your favorite shows, this is a perfect sweet & savory treat. Assemble all your favorite snacking items…crackers, fruits, nuts & of course this herbed vegan cheese. Then nibble & sip away! (okay - I’m not a wine drinker, but that shouldn’t stop you & let’s be honest cheese night just doesn’t have the same ring to it)
Vegan Herbed Cheese
Savory snacking awaits with this lovely herbed vegan cheese for your cheese board!
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup raw soaked cashews see notes
- 1/4 cup refined coconut oil melted
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 1/4 cup tapioca flour
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped dill
- 1 tbsp fresh chopped chives
- 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper
- 3 tbsp agar agar powder
- 1 1/2 cups hot water near boiling
Instructions
- Prepare your cashews. Soak cashews overnight or place in a small saucepan with water & boil on medium heat for 10 minutes. Drain water & rinse.
- Chop the fresh herbs & measure out the chili flakes. Set aside.
- To a blender add the cashews, lemon juice, tapioca flour, nutritional yeast, onion powder, garlic, salt & melted coconut oil.Heat 1 1/2 cups of water. Measure the agar agar powder. Have both ready near the blender.
- Blend the ingredients in the blender, streaming in the hot water on medium speed, through the spout on the lid. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Keep the blender going & stream in the agar agar powder. Blend an additional minute. Continue the blender & stream in the herbs & chili flakes about 30 seconds.Immediately pour the mixture into a small dish, cover with plastic wrap & place in refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
- Once ready to serve, flip the bowl upside down & give a gentle tap onto the serving tray. If it is sticking, warm a knife by placing under warm water & then run the knife along the edges to loosen.
- Assemble your cheese board with all your favorite crackers, nuts & fruit.
Notes
It is important to follow the steps of this recipe closely as the ingredients need to be added in order & will set up fast. Read through & prep the items so you are ready to go.
Choose a relatively small bowl for your mold. I used a ramekin about 3 inches across that holds about 1 1/2 cups.
Agar agar powder is a vegan substitute for gelatin & is commonly found in desserts & cheeses. It can be ordered from Amazon if you do not see it in your local store.
Add any fresh herbs or chili you would like. I only had dill & chive on hand, but it worked great.
Assemble your board with your favorites. Snack away!
Enjoy!