Cashew Cheese

If you’re looking for a cheese alternative, you might try this recipe. It uses cashews and the process of culturing for a cheesy spread or dip. And for added flavor we mixed in mini sweet peppers, onion, garlic, and more!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups raw cashews
• 1 cup filtered water
• 1/2 cup red mini sweet peppers, deseeded and diced.
• 2 tablespoons red onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, minced
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar, unfiltered.
• 1/4 teaspoon finely ground Himalayan salt, or to taste
• Dash cayenne

Directions:

1. Sterilize* the mason jar that you’ll be using, as well as any equipment and utensils that will come in contact with the ingredients.
2. In a high powered blender, blend the cashews and water on low then high speed for 1 minute or until creamy smooth.
3. Place the blended cashews in a quart size open-mouthed glass jar. Tightly cover with plastic wrap and secure with a rubber band. Cover with a towel and place in a warm place and let sit over night. This culturing** process should cause the cashew cheese to rise with visible air pockets, as shown in our photograph.
4. Transfer to a large bowl and mix in the remaining ingredients.
5. Serve immediately or store in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days. Use it as a spread for wraps, as a dip for crudité, or serve it with a vegan and gluten-free store-bought brand of tortilla chips. And if you like ravioli, our recipe for Italian Rawvioli offers a variation that uses cashew cheese for the filling.

Variations:

1. Replace cashews with macadamia nuts or pine nuts.
2. Use other fresh herbs in place of the cilantro.
3. Instead of diced red onion use finely chopped green onion
4. Add to the mix pitted and chopped kalamata olives.

Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

* There are many ways to sterilize jars and kitchen tools. The Bottle Store has an article that shares How to Sterilize Glass Bottles and Jars at Home. You can also use stainless steel tools that are first boiled for 10 minutes then placed on a clean dish cloth to air-dry. Also, ask the manufacturer to recommend the best way to sterilize the equipment that you use, such as your blender container or food processor bowl.

**Cultured foods transform the taste of food from plain to delicious. The process causes colonies of beneficial bacteria which enhances the nutrients. Many are familiar with cultured foods such as yogurt and sauerkraut, but there are lesser-known foods that also benefit from the culturing process.