DAIRY FREE CHEESE RECIPE - SO YUMMY!!

A few posts ago, I spoke about how many women during Perimenopause become wheat and dairy sensitive. I am definately one of them.

Even if you do not think you are sensitive to wheat and dairy, you may want to think about giving them up. If you are having symptoms such as bloating, fatigue, slow digestion, allergy like symptoms and congestion, you may be wheat and/or dairy sensitive. Try giving up dairy and wheat and see if those symptoms go away. Most likely, they will.

I love cheese and that is one thing I really miss but I have found great alternatives.  One is cashew cheese. I realize this sounds a little strange but it is SO good!

When I started preparing more recipes that were not cooked, processed or dairy or wheat based I started with very basic ingredients and appliances. A coffee grinder is a wonderful tool and can make small amounts of pates and nut cheeses.

Below is a recipe for cashew cheese (the way I make it). Because I use my coffee grinder I can only make a small amount at a time so I have to do a few batches, but it is worth it.

CASHEW CHEESE

Using raw, unsalted cashews that have been soaked overnight in salt and filtered water (8-10 hours or more). Then rinse them.
Maybe start with about 1 1/2 cups of the raw cashews

• Put about 1/2 C (or not even) of the soaked cashews in the coffee grinder
• Add a bit of sea salt (about 1/4 tsp)
• Squeeze about 1/4 of a lemon on top
• Add 1 tsp of nutritiona yeast (buy at a health food store - Red Star brand in bulk is good)

Blend in grinder. You have to stop and stir mixture often. If mixture sticks to side when mixing, pick up grinder and shake it around while it is on to make sure it grinds up evenly. Keep opening grinder and stirring it. Continue until it is rich and creamy. The texture of cream cheese. If it is a little dry then add just a touch of water.

If you use a food processor instead it may turn out a bit course, not realy creamy (at least it did for me). I prefer the coffee grinder because it makes it nice and creamy.

Make it to suite your taste. If you find it is too lemony then add less lemon. If you want it more cheesy then add more nutritional yeast. If it is too dry then try adding a bit of water. If you want it salty then add more sea salt.

You can also taste it while it is mixing and adjust to your taste then.

About Nutritional Yeast:
Nutritional yeast is nonactive yeast. It is fine for someone with candida. It is not an active yeast.
It is very good for you as it is a complete protein, contains 18 amino acids, is a rich source of B-complex, some brands are enriched with Vitamin B-12 and it contains chromium. It is low in fat and sodium.
YOU GOTTA TRY IT!!

It is a fantastic food and you can also sprinkle it on popcorn and add it into homemade salad dressings, on top of steamed veggies, etc.

You can purchase it at a health food store where it is usually found in the bulk food section. Red Star is the brand I like. It is very fine and flaky and is a pale or a brighter yellow-gold. It actually has a cheesy smell to it.

You may be wondering why I am recommending a nut cheese that is probably high in fat when my blog is to talk about controlling weight during perimenopause. Well, this does. It is a good fat. It is NOT processed or pasturized. It is free of preservatives, additives and coloring. It is healthy fo you. Of course you should not sit down and eat a bowl of it with a bunch of crackers. It is filling and is nutrient dense and loaded with flavor and goodness.

It is great on veggies. Put it on celery sticks, cut up bell peppers, cucumber, zuchinni, or wrap it up in a leaf of lettuce. It is also great with tomato and avocado.

I hope to add video to this blog where I will show you how to make some more healthy and tasty foods you will love!

If you have any questions while making this cheese or any comments on the cashew cheese, please let me know!