Hard Cashew Cheese - Easy Recipe

Hard Cashew Cheese

INGREDIENTS
3 cups water
3/4 cup agar flakes (or a 1 oz package)-- or 6 to 8 tsp. of agar powder, depending on desired creaminess or firmness- the photo that is shown I used 6 teaspoons of agar powder (I usually use the powder but either way)
2 cups raw cashews
1/2 cup lemon juice
2 Tbs. tahini (sesame seed butter)
2 Tbs. nutritional yeast flakes (or another 2 Tbs. tahini)
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. each of garlic and onion powders
Heaping 1/2 teaspoons each of mustard powder, turmeric, paprika, and ground cumin (these spices are optional but will add an amazing flavor)
1 carrot (chopped into disc shapes and boiled or steamed until very soft- this is optional and adds a wonderful flavor and color and added antioxidants to the fold)
METHOD
Place agar and water in saucepan and bring to boil, whisking occassionally. Turn to simmer for 5 minutes and continue to whisk; the mixture will thicken.
Grind cashews in blender to form a powder then add all the other ingredients (the water-agar mixture pour in last). Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into an oiled loaf pan and refrigerate until firm. Slice and serve.
I let it cool for about 30 to 40 minutes before putting it in the refrigerator.
Feel free to experiment. You may wish to try curry powder as a spice for example instead of the optional spices above. Also you may wish to try other seeds or nuts. Although I prefer cashews, I also enjoy using sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds.
Grilled cheese sandwiches are also awesome! Thinly slice your cheese and I use either Earth Balance or coconut oil and spread it on one side of two pieces of bread. The buttered or oiled sides face out and the cheese in between the unbuttered sides and grill.
Cut the cheese into cube size shapes and put them in your salad. Yum!!
This cheese is VERY high in calcium and healthy fats and protein, absent of cholesterol and artery clogging fats like "regular" cheese. Plus, it is high in fiber- which "regular" cheese has none.
Agar has virtually no taste and is the thickener to make this cheese hard. It is very high in iodine and other minerals. Super healthy for you and unlike gelatine, cruelty-free and healthy.
This cheese is AWESOME!! You will love it and it is so easy to make. Use it in replace of "regular" cheese in any sort of dish or recipe you like.
A delicious, healthy, and cruelty-free alternative to "regular" cheese.