Start soaking those almonds! This delicious Smoked Almond Cheddar Spread from This Cheese is Nuts! is quick and easy to make, and it’s sure to be a crowd pleaser!
This Cheese is Nuts
I was so excited about This Cheese Is Nuts! by Julie Piatt that as soon as it showed up in my mail box, I ran into the kitchen to soak raw almonds and cashews. After the nuts were settled into their water baths, I sat down on the sofa with a cup of tea and read the book from cover to cover.
I wish I could go back in time to when I decided to go vegan and tell myself that I wouldn’t be giving up cheese forever. The initial shock of going cheese-less was a little tough, but I soon got over it. I did find myself missing the deliciously salty, fatty taste from time to time though. Thankfully now, not only do we have amazing vegan cheeses on the market, we also have This Cheese is Nuts!: Delicious Vegan Cheese at Home to show us how to make our own vegan cheeses with ease.
The recipes in This Cheese is Nuts! are made with – you guessed it – nuts. They’re easy to follow, don’t take much effort to make, and don’t use too many ingredients. Some, like the Smoked Almond Cheddar and Botija Almond Rosemary Cheese Spread, are ready to go in just a matter of minutes. Others, such as Macadamia Nut Herbed Goat Cheese and Aged Cashew Truffle Cheese need some time in the dehydrator, but it’s hands-off time, so you can go about your normal routine while you’re making cheese.
Old Favorites
You’ll find vegan versions of all of your old favorites here, including a Cashew Bleu Cheese, a Cashew Brie, and three versions of Gorgonzola. There are also cheeses I don’t remember eating before going vegan but definitely want to try now, including Burrata and Chicory Almond Cheesy Spread. Of course, recipes for classic cheeses such as parmesan, mozzarella, ricotta, sharp cheddar, smoked gouda, and provolone are included.
In addition to the cheeses themselves, there are recipes for dishes made with cheese, such as Mac and Cheese with Garlic Spinach, Lasagna with Garden Tomato Sauce, and Deep Classic Cheesecake. There are recipes for dairy-free staples, like sour cream, yogurt, and crème fraîche. There’s also a chapter with nut-free cheese recipes, for those with food allergies.
Chapters in This Cheese is Nuts! include:
- Cheese Spreads & Sauces
- Quick “Form” Cheeses
- Aged & Multistep Cheeses
- Dishes
- Desserts
- Nut-Free Cheeses and Spreads
- Dairy-Free Staples
You might need some equipment in order to make some of these recipes. At the very least, you’ll need a food processor or high-speed blender. If you want to get serious about making formed cheeses and aged cheeses, you’ll need a cheese form and a dehydrator. Julie has lists of recommended equipment and pantry staples as well as technique tips, for those who are new to cheese making.
Smoked Almond Cheddar Spread
The first recipe I made in This Cheese is Nuts! was the Smoked Almond Cheddar Spread. I was anxious to begin making cheese, and it’s a good starter recipe. As I write this, I also have some Cashew Camembert in my dehydrator, and I can’t wait to try it! I have many more recipes bookmarked as well, and I know I’m going to be cooking my way through this book for a while.
If you want to make your own vegan cheeses at home, you need This Cheese is Nuts!
Smoked Almond Cheddar
Ingredients
- 2 cups raw almonds
- ½ to ¾ cup pimientos from a jar, plus ½ to ¾ cup packing liquid
- ¼ cup nutritional yeast
- 1 ¾ teaspoons smoked sea salt
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Instructions
- Rinse the almonds well. Place them in water in a medium bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Drain the almonds. In the bowl of a food processor, place the almonds, pimientos, nutritional yeast, salt, garlic powder, and ¼ cup pimiento liquid. Process until the mixture is well incorporated.
- Remove the lid and test the cheese for texture and salt content. If you want a smoother spread, add pimiento liquid in small increments and process again. Add more salt if needed.
- Serve this with crackers and fresh pears.
Notes
I have a copy of This Cheese is Nuts for one lucky winner. Follow the instructions below to enter. U.S. residents only, please. Contest ends at midnight on June 13th. Good luck!
This sounds so good!! My favorite vegan cheese is the fig leaf wrapped cheese from Miyoko. But there are so many good ones nowadays, it’s hard to choose!
My favorite vegan cheese is anything with some spice like chipotle or pepper jack.
I’ve tried a lot of recipes as well as commercial products, but I haven’t found any that taste like dairy cheese. I can’t say there’s a vegan that I like let alone name a favorite.
My favorite is usually any form of ricotta, be it tofu or cashew, I just love the texture!
I made one with cashews and chipotle that was really good.
Are pimentos the same as jarred roasted peppers?
They’re a type of pepper, but they are different than roasted red peppers. I’m sure roasted red peppers would work, if you can’t find pimentos.
I like cashew ricotta, Great for lasagna.
That’s like asking me to pick my favorite child (if I had any). How about this, I can’t stand bleu cheese. =)
The only one I’ve ever made is a Buffalo cheddar, I really like that a lot. I haven’t tried a lot of the vegan cheeses that you buy because mostly the ones I have tried our disappointing. I do like The vegan mozzarella from Trader Joe’s though.
I think my favorite vegan cheese at the moment is the Smoked Farmhouse from Miyoko’s Creamery. I love smoked cheeses.
My favorite cheese when I ate dairy was New York Sharp cheese. It tasted like Cheetos! I am eager to see what recipes are in this book and if there is a cheese recipe like that in here.
My favorite vegan cheese is mozzarella – I love making vegan lasagne!
Well for sandwiches and burgers I like Follow Your Hearts American Slices. I haven’t made my own cheese yet but I miss goat cheese!