Sharp Cheddar Cheese Ball:
- 1 1/2 cups Raw Cashews , soaked for 4-6 hours
- ¼ cup Nutritional Yeast
- 1 tbsp Tamari
- 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Sea Salt (may omit/use less for lower sodium)
- 1 tbsp Fresh Onion or 1 tsp dried minced
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- ½ tsp Chili Powder or Flakes
- Dash of Cayenne
- ¼ tsp Turmeric
- ½ cup Soft Coconut Butter or Coconut Oil
- 1/2 Cup Almonds - Chopped
Directions:
- Drain and rinse soaked cashews. Combine everything in a food processor or high speed blender. Process until completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Cover and place in fridge for 4-6 hours until firm, easily done overnight.
- Scrape the cheese onto a clean place or surface, with wet hands form the cheese into a ball. Don't fret, it will be pretty in a minute. Wash hands.
- Press chopped almonds or your favorite into the cheese ball until completely covered. Serve with crackers, vegetables, bread or use as desired.
Sharp Cheddar Cheese Sauce or Spread:
- 1 Small Potato - Peeled and Chopped
- ¼ cup Nutritional Yeast
- 1 tbsp Tamari
- 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar or Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Sea Salt (may omit/use less for lower sodium)
- 1 tbsp Fresh Onion or 1 tsp dried minced
- 1 tsp Dijon Mustard
- ½ tsp Chili Powder or Flakes
- Dash of Cayenne
- ¼ tsp Turmeric
- 1/3 Cup Dairy Free Milk or Potato Water (from boiling)
Directions:
- Boil your potato until soft, about 10 minutes or more. Drain.
- Combine everything in a food processor or high speed blender. Process until completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Use immediately as a sauce, store in the fridge (imagine on mac-n-cheese).
- Opt: You can add 1/4 cup (or more if you fancy) coconut oil or coconut butter to firm it more into a spread.
Notes:
- The cheese is firmest when cold.
- No Tamari? Try Soy Sauce, Soy Free Chickpea Miso or Coconut Aminos.
- No raw cashews? Roasted will work as well. If you aren't going for raw, try roasting your almonds for more flavor.
- Both varieties make a great grilled cheese. One sticks together better the other is ooey gooey.
- Don't care about forming into a ball, use your favorite mold. Don't care about it being firm and want oil-free? Use dairy free milk vs. the oil/butter.
- Adapted from my Guilt-Free Holiday Recipes eBook (free!).