🧀 Creamy Cashew Vegan Cheese (Makes about 1 ½ cups)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw cashews (soaked for 4 hours or overnight, or use boiling water for 30 minutes)
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast (for cheesy flavor)
• 2 tbsp lemon juice (for tang)
• 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (for extra zing)
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (for depth and smokiness)
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• ½ cup water (or more for a thinner consistency)
• Salt to taste (about ½ tsp)
• Optional: 1 tbsp agar agar (if you want it firm, like a sliceable cheese)

Instructions:

1. Prep the cashews: Drain and rinse your soaked cashews (if you didn’t soak them for 4 hours, you can also boil them for 10–15 minutes). They should be soft to the touch.
2. Blend it: Add all of the ingredients (cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, Dijon mustard, and salt) to a high-speed blender or food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed. Add water a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
3. Optional – Firm it up (if making sliceable cheese): If you want a firmer, sliceable cheese, you can cook the cheese base with agar agar:
   • In a small saucepan, combine ½ cup of water with 1 tbsp agar agar powder.
   • Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring constantly.
   • Once it thickens (about 5–7 minutes), remove from heat and blend it into your cashew mixture until smooth.
4. Chill and set: Pour the cheese mixture into a mold, bowl, or container (if you used agar agar, this is where it will set). Refrigerate for at least 1–2 hours to let it firm up. If you skipped the agar agar, it’ll still be creamy, perfect for a spread or dip.

🧠 Flavor Tweaks:

• Spicy: Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a diced jalapeño.
• Herb-infused: Stir in fresh chopped herbs like rosemary, thyme, or basil for a savory twist.
• Garlic-lovers: Add roasted garlic for a deeper, caramelized flavor.

🧀 Uses:

• Spread it on crackers, sandwiches, or toast.
• Melt it on pizza, nachos, or vegan grilled cheese.
• Dip it with veggies, chips, or pretzels.
• Use it in pasta dishes, like mac and cheese or lasagna!