Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional Yeast..Its whats for dinner! Around here anyway. I have been hearing about this stuff for years, and I may have even tried using it a time or two back in my old veggie days. But I have rediscovered it in a huge way. It started with a recipe I was making called cashew queso. It calls for quite a bit and was described in the recipe as the thing that gives this "fake cheese sauce" its cheesy taste. If there is one thing I have learned the last month on this food plan, it is, don't expect to replace the things you miss from your old eating plan. If you do, you will end up disappointed most every time. Does this cheese sauce taste like real cheese sauce, No, not really. But when a girl is craving something to dip her organic blue corn chips into, does this sauce taste frikin fantastic? YES!

My take on Cashew "cheese sauce"
1-2 Cup Soaked Raw Cashew(I soak 4-5 hours)
1/4 -1/2 Cup Almond  Milk or Dairy Alternative
2-3 TBS. Nutritional Yeast Flakes
1/2 of a small onion, chopped ( I have also used shallot or the white part of a leek)
2 tsp. Turmeric Powder
2 tsp. Garlic Granules
Salt and Pepper to taste
Juice of 1 Lemon


Heat a small skillet with a dab of canola oil. Saute the onions till just soft. Place soaked, drained Cashews in the food processor with Almond milk. Start with 1/4 cup of the milk and add to get the consistency that your going for. Puree for about 3 minutes. Open and check texture. It will never get perfectly smooth, but should have a hummus like texture. Next add the rest of the ingredients and puree till smooth. It will be fairly thick at this point. In fact I am making some now and plan to try a grilled "cheese" sammich with tomato tonight. If you add more almond milk you will get more of a cheese dip like texture. At this point you can add some of your favorite salsa and have a yummy mexi queso dip!

*If you dont have time to soak the cashews, cover them with boiling water and let sit for 15-20 minutes. May take a bit longer in the food processor.

So, Back to Nutritional Yeast. I guess its high in b12, and derived from all natural sources. Go here to learn more about nutritional yeasts nutritional facts. http://www.bestnaturalfoods.com/nutritional_yeast.html

I have also had it sprinkled on popcorn..that is super yummy! And here is my quick "go to" pasta dish.

Boil up a couple cups Whole Wheat pasta shells. While they are draining saute up some diced veggies of your choice in a dab of cooking oil. Here I used yellow pepper, mushrooms, and zucchini. When they are just soft, remove from heat and add the pasta. Drizzle with a little good olive oil and sprinkle generously with nutritional yeast & salt and pepper..stirring to coat. Topped with a fresh diced Roma tomato.

I look forward to discovering multiple ways to use this healthy and yummy stuff, and I hope you do too!