Some of us can't have dairy or meat anymore. That's a thing I pray never happens to me because I think I'd have to be institutionalised. There are, however, alternatives made from tofu, TVP, etc. Some are beneath consuming. Some I really like, like the Sloppy Joe mix from Fantastic Foods. If you see that on the grocery shelves, try it. I regard most commercial substitute "cheese" with a hairy eyeball, because it's often pretty nasty and won't even melt. So here are a couple of soy substitutes for cheeses that actually work and making them yourself makes them affordable.
Homemade Ricotta Substitute
2 12oz. blocks of extrafirm silky tofu
1 cup soy "cream"
1 tsp. honey
1 tsp. distilled vinegar
2 tsp. salt, more to taste if wanted
Mash the tofu well and stir in all the other ingredients completely.
Homemade mozzarella substitute that melts
1 12oz. block extrasoft silky tofu
1 cup soy "cream" (not "milk")
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. distilled vinegar
4 tsp. agar powder (in the spices/baking aisle)
Put the tofu, soy "cream", salt and vinegar in a blender or food processor, and blend on high until it's completely liquid. Put the mixture in a sauce pan, whisk in the agar powder thoroughly, and let it sit for 5 minutes.
Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and pour into a greased baking dish. Smooth the top to even it out, let cool a bit, cover with plastic wrap or wax paper and chill in the refrigerator overnight. Use just like mozzarella.
There you are, Lawless. I wouldn't want you left out. ;)
MYSTERIOUS GARDEN
1 year ago
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7 comments:
Wow.....thank you so much. I have used the already prepared soy cheese (doesn't melt very well) and the rice cheese (the grated mozarella melts well) but this gives me some variety. I can't wait to make lasagna again.
Oh. Yummo. I will have to give these a try. I can have dairy, but am slowly moving towards a vegan life. Slowly. And dairy would be my sticking point.
Thanks for the recipe, Laura. I have both vegetarians and vegans in my family and I spend a lot of my time wringing my hands trying figure out what to feed them when they visit. I can do vegetarian pretty easily, but vegan is difficult.
I'm feeling very challenged. It sounds nice, but lasagna without cheese is like ketchup without the tomato.
A hairy eyeball. LOLOLOL!
Meat I could eat less of (though fat chance with my husband around who'd eat meat for every meal and no veg if possible), but cheese? Oh my, that would be tough.
I'd be willing to try this, though... if somebody made it for me. ;)
Hi Laura,
Well, these substitute solutions are most likely quite tasty.
I know I've had a few soy products that almost tasted like meat. Although, I stay well clear of "Quorn", if you are familiar with that. I think it tastes absolutely vile.
Have a pleasant weekend.
Gary
x
I'm not a big fan of soy in general, but when the real thing isn't an option we have to boldly go where we haven't gone before, :)
I'll put in a word for BocaBurgers, though. I like them!
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