I was immediately smitten when I saw this recipe for macadamia nut “goat cheese” over at The Holy Kale. I haven’t met many nut cheeses I didn’t like, and this one looked too delicious not to try. I followed the recipe as it was written, but when I tasted it, I found into be incredibly bland. After all, there wasn’t any seasonings besides the tarragon it was rolled in. . . I took matters into my own hands because I sure the heck wasn’t going to waste the $7 I spent on two cups of macadamia nuts! A little salt, lemon juice, olive oil, and agave saved the day . . . and the cheese! Other than the texture, I don’t think this resembles goat cheese, but that doesn’t mean it’s not tasty–it most certainly is!
INGREDIENTS:
2 C macadamia nuts (I used unsalted), soaked for 24 hours in water
1 cap veggie Probiotic
1/2 C water
2-3 Tbs lemon juice
2 Tbs olive oil
1 tsp, or to taste, salt
1-2 Tbs agave
2-3 Tbs fresh tarragon, chopped
DIRECTIONS:
After soaking the nuts, drain and transfer to a food processor along with 1/2 a cup of fresh water and the contents of the probiotic capsule. Blend until smooth (you will probably need to periodically scrape the sides).
Wrap in a cotton napkin or a few layers of cheese cloth and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
Keep wrapped in the cloth and place into a bowl. Do not seal the bowl.
Let it sit for 2 days on the counter and ferment. Unwrap . . .
. . . and transfer to a bowl. Using a fork, blend in the lemon juice, salt, and oil. Taste and adjust seasonings/flavorings if need be. Wrap the cheese in plastic wrap, shaping into a log.
Refrigerate for several hours to overnight to allow the flavors to meet and mingle. The longer you let it percolate the better! Spread the chopped tarragon on a cutting board and roll the log over it. Drizzle with agave and serve with crackers. This would also be excellent crumbled over a salad. Delicious and worth the long process! Enjoy!
- 2 C macadamia nuts (I used unsalted), soaked for 24 hours in water
- 1 cap veggie Probiotic
- ½ C water
- 2-3 Tbs lemon juice
- 2 Tbs olive oil
- 1 tsp, or to taste, salt
- 1-2 Tbs agave
- 2-3 Tbs fresh tarragon, chopped
- After soaking the nuts, drain and transfer to a food processor along with ½ a cup of fresh water and the contents of the probiotic capsule. Blend until smooth (you will probably need to periodically scrape the sides).
- Wrap in a cotton napkin or a few layers of cheese cloth and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
- Keep wrapped in the cloth and place into a bowl. Do not seal the bowl.
- Let it sit for 2 days on the counter and ferment. Unwrap and transfer to a bowl. Using a fork, blend in the lemon juice, salt, and oil. Taste and adjust seasonings/flavorings if need be. Wrap the cheese in plastic wrap, shaping into a log.
- Refrigerate for several hours to overnight to allow the flavors to meet and mingle. The longer you let it percolate the better! Spread the chopped tarragon on a cutting board and roll the log over it. Drizzle with agave and serve with crackers. This would also be excellent crumbled over a salad. Delicious and worth the long process! Enjoy!
narf77 says
I love the recipe and LOVE that little adorned fork :). Kudos on both points 🙂
epicureanvegan says
Thanks! The spreader was made by a local artist–bought it years ago. 🙂
Barb@ThatWasVegan? says
Can you believe I’ve never made my own vegan cheese? Need to remedy that ASAP!
Joanne says
When you let sit for 2 days to ferment do you mean on a counter or in the fridge. I’m going to assume you mean on a counter.
epicureanvegan says
Yes, on the counter. Thanks–I’ll add that to the post.