Vegan Spicy Peanut Cheese

Introduction

It's hard to imagine that you can make a mouthwatering vegan spicy firm cheese using peanuts as the base. But it's true! Reminiscent of a spicy peanut sauce, this cheese is not only delicious but also packed with flavor, thanks to the addition of fresh hot jalapeno peppers. Try it on a Bahn Mi for a kick of heat and umami!

Ingredients

• 1 cup peanuts, roasted and unsalted

• 1/4 cup cornstarch

• 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast

• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

• 1 teaspoon onion powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1/4 teaspoon crushed pepper flakes (omit for a less spicy cheese)

• 1 red or green jalapeno pepper, finely chopped (remove seeds for a less spicy cheese)

• 1 dash hot sauce of choice, optional

• 1 cup water

Instructions

1. Start by soaking the raw peanuts in water for at least 4 hours or overnight. This will help soften them and make them easier to blend. Rinse and drain after soaking. Alternatively, boil peanuts in plenty of water for ten minutes, then drain.

2. In a blender or food processor, combine the soaked peanuts, cornstarch, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, smoked paprika, pepper flakes, jalapeno pepper, hot sauce (if using) and water.

3. Blend on high speed until the mixture is smooth and creamy.

4. Pour the mixture into a saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens. This should take about 5-7 minutes.

5. Once the mixture has thickened, remove it from the heat and let it cool slightly.

6. Line a small baking dish with parchment paper and pour the cheese mixture into it.

7. Smooth the top with a spatula and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm.

8. Once the cheese is firm, remove it from the baking dish and slice it into desired shapes.

9. Your vegan spicy firm cheese is now ready to be enjoyed! It can be used in sandwiches, melted on pizzas, or simply eaten on its own.

Nutrition:

Per Serving (1/8 of recipe): 133 calories; 5.6g protein; 6.6g carbs; 9.2g fat; 151mg sodium. Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary depending on ingredients used.

If you enjoyed this cheese, please add a comment below and let me know how it turned out! I love feedback so that I can keep improving my recipes. You can also subscribe to receive all my newest creations as soon as they are here on the blog!