SUNFLOWER SEEDS VEGAN CHEESE

Vegan cheese is made from components derived from plant- based floods such as starchy vegetables, nuts,legumes and seeds.

Today we are using sunflower seeds to make our vegan cheese.

Why vegan?
Many people who are used to eating real cheese find it difficult to leave it despite learning how dangerous it is to health.To help them through the transition, we bring up these healthy alternatives. This one is not only healthy but it is also cheap.

If you’re one of them, just know that you can do without real cheese. You don’t need what your body craves for. Real cheese is harmful for your health. I want to remind you that this cheese doesn’t taste like the real one.

This vegan sunflower seeds cheese is very easy to make.All you need is to soak your sunflower seeds for approximately 2 hours . It can be sliced or grated and can be enjoyed on pizza ,bread ,crackers e.t.c

Agar Agar in this recipe is used vegan gelatin, thickening agent. Agar Agar can be substituted with tapiaco or cornstarch although they don’t have same results. Your vegan cheese will come out stretchy.You can give it a try and see the outcome.

If you don’t have any of these , just make it to be a cheese sauce which is made by just blending all the ingredients until they are smooth without adding any thickening agent.

In place of peanut butter you can use miso paste or olives or olives water.

Nutritional yeast is one of the main ingredient in many vegan cheeses because of its cheesy flavour. It is very essential in vegan cheese that is made with legumes. I tried some nuts and seeds vegan cheese without adding nutritional yeast and the taste was just perfect. I think its because nuts and seeds taste nice on their own. So worry not if you don’t have it , your vegan cheese will taste just fine.

Ingredients
½ cup of sunflower soaked seeds
1 cup of water
1 tablespoon of peanut butter (optional)
4 tablespoons of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of Agar Agar powder
A pinch of turmeric
1 teaspoon of onion powder
2 gloves of fresh garlic
2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast, optional
½ teaspoon of black salt .( Any salt will do)

Preparation

⭕Soak the sunflower seeds in water for at least 2 hours or overnight.
⭕Drain the seeds and place the seeds in a blender. Divide 1 cup of water into 2 portions ( keep the rest to mix with Agar Agar powder).
⭕Add the rest of the ingredients except Agar Agar and the remaining ½ cup of water. Blend till smooth.

Pause the blender and make the thickening agent.
⭕In a small pot mix Agar Agar with the remaining water until they dissolve.

Bring Agar Agar mixture to boil and let it summer for 5 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent any sticking at the bottom.

Remove the pot from heat and pour the Agar Agar mixture into the sunflower seeds mixture in the blender. Blend again for few seconds until everything is well combined.

Prepare a dish big enough to contain all your mixture , coat it with oil and pour the mixture. Place in the refrigerator for an hour or 2 to set.

Once it’s set, you can slice or grate and enjoy with anything your heart desires. Keep refrigerating up to 7 days.