Faux Cheddar Cheese

--> Once solid, this cheese slices very nicely and tastes great!

 

1-1/2 cups water

4 tablespoons agar-agar flakes, or kuzu root starch, or arrowroot starch

1/2 cup roasted red peppers; skins fully removed, washed and drained, or 1/2 cup diced cooked carrots (retain cooking water for recipe)

1/2 cup raw cashew pieces, or raw almonds, or raw skinless Brazil nuts, or Cannellini (white kidney) beans

1/4 cup nutritional yeast flakes

2 tablespoons cashew butter, or bean butter

3 tablespoons lemon juice

2 tablespoons chickpea miso

2 teaspoons onion powder

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 teaspoon mustard powder

grapeseed oil for storage container

1. Select airtight 3-cup capacity container with tight-fitting lid that can be refrigerated; coat lightly with grapeseed oil; set aside.
2. In food processor or blender combine roasted red peppers (or cooked carrots), cashews, nutritional yeast, cashew butter, lemon juice, chickpea miso, onion powder, sea salt, garlic powder, and mustard powder; grind until smooth.
3. In small saucepan, bring water and agar-agar to boil; reduce heat; simmer 5 minutes; stir often.
4. Add hot liquid to food processor or blender; process until well combined and smooth.
5. Pour immediately into prepared container; set aside to cool.
6. Once cooled, cover; refrigerate several hours or overnight prior to consumption. Refrigerate in airtight container up to 7 days.
7. To serve, turn out of container and slice.

Servings: 3 cups

Preheat: Medium-high

Prep Time: 10 min

Cooking Time: 10 min

Variations

To use agar-agar powder or unflavored gelatin of choice: omit agar-agar flakes; add 4 teaspoons agar-agar powder or unflavored gelatin of choice.

To replace Cannellini beans: omit Cannellini beans; add Navy beans, or Pinto beans, or black-eyed peas in same quantity as called for; proceed with recipe as stated.

Notes

Any miso can be used to make this recipe. Chickpea miso is the only miso that is free of soy. There are several kinds of wheat-free miso on the market that can be used in equal replacement.