This Cranberry, Nut and Rosemary cheese log is gluten-free, dairy-free, paleo-friendly. And, it is packed with healthy fats and b12 vitamins. In other words, it’s the perfect addition to your next antipasto platter!
Look no further for the best Vegan Christmas Recipe. This crowd pleasing vegan cheese log not only looks festive on the table, but tastes delicious as well.
This Christmas recipe uses cashews as the base, and nutritional yeast flakes for the cheesy taste. Cashews are low in sugar and high in healthy fats. They are also a good source of plant-based protein. Nutritional yeast flakes are also known as savoury yeast flakes. Nutritional yeast flakes are high in B Vitamins. In addition to that, yeast flakes are also a source of protein. For this reason, they are often a pantry staple for people following a vegan diet.
The cranberries in this recipe add a sweet element to the dish. However, they are also nutritionally beneficial. Cranberries are high in antioxidants and dietary fibre. They are also known to help reduce the risk of urinary tract infections and may lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
This recipe suggests coating the cheese log in cranberries, walnuts and macadamias but you can experiment with other nuts, fruits and herbs too.
Ingredients
- 2 cups organic raw cashews, soaked overnight
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast flakes
- 1 tsp roasted garlic
- 1/2 tbsp fine Himalayan salt (or to taste)
- 1/4 tsp organic black pepper, freshly cracked (or to taste)
- 1/8 tsp organic chilli powder (optional)
To coat
- A generous handful of organic walnuts and macadamias
- 1/4 cup organic dried cranberries
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary + extra for garnish
NB: Experiment and try organic almonds, pistachios or pecans, along with organic dried apricots or dried figs and fresh parsley, chives or thyme.
Method
- Rinse the soaked cashews and drain well. Blend in a food processor or high-powered blender together with nutritional yeast, garlic, salt and pepper until smooth and well combined. This may take a few minutes – simply stop and scrape down the sides of the blender as you go to ensure you are blending everything in.
- Transfer mixture onto a sheet of baking paper and roll it up to make an even-shaped log. Twist the sides of the paper and tuck them underneath to hold the shape in place. If a smaller log is desired, split the mixture in half and make two separate cheese logs.
- Chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to firm up, or until ready to serve.
- Meanwhile, finely chop the nuts, dried cranberries and rosemary and spread across a large chopping board.
- Unwrap the cashew cheese log and roll it in the chopped ingredients to coat evenly. Press toppings into the log to fill any gaps.
- Serve with seed crackers for a delicious and festive appetiser.
Recipe courtesy of Honest to Goodness and Aneka Reid.
