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Orange-Almond Cheese Log

December 12, 2011 by epicureanvegan

Orange-Almond Cheese Log -- Epicurean VeganI saw a recipe in the December issue of Vegetarian Times for Date-Cheese Ball, but it’s made with goat cheese. I decided to make my own version using the almond cheeze I’ve made before. It has a similar taste and texture to goat cheese and figured it’d be a perfect substitute. It was. Plus, the orange zest gave it such a unique flavor. I brought this to a holiday party and it was gone pretty quick. Keep in mind that this recipe takes up to two days to prepare. You could make it in a day if you blanch and soak the almonds in the morning and serve it in the evening.

INGREDIENTS:
2 C blanched almonds
1/2 C lemon juice
5 Tbs olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp salt
1 C cold water
8-oz Tofutti cream cheese
1-2 Tbs orange zest
2 tsp dried thyme
1 C sliced almonds, toasted

DIRECTIONS:
To the make the almond cheese, soak the blanched almonds for about 24 hours in water. Next, dry them off and transfer to a food processor. Puree them with the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, water and salt. Layer a fine mesh strainer with a thin cotton napkin (works way better than cheesecloth), and place over a bowl. Pour half of the mixture into the lined strainer and wrap up tightly, then squeeze as much of the liquid out as possible. Wrap up and secure with a rubber band. Do the same with the rest of the cheese. Transfer to a plate and chill for 8 hours or over night.

Orange-Almond Cheese Log -- Epicurean Vegan

(you’ll end up with twice this much almond cheese)

To make the cheese log, cream the cream cheese the food processor or mixer. I used a food processor; either would work fine—I just find that the cream cheese gets blended much better this way. You can then transfer to a bowl and stir in everything else, or continue using the food processor.  Squeeze out any more liquid from the almond cheese and add them to the cream cheese along with the orange zest and thyme.

Orange-Almond Cheese Log -- Epicurean Vegan

Pulse several times to combine. Layout a long piece of plastic wrap and spread the toasted almond slices on it. Scoop out the cheese onto the plastic, then wrap up the sides to create a log. This will take some finessing, so just go with how you feel most comfortable doing it.

Orange-Almond Cheese Log -- Epicurean Vegan

Chill for a few hours and serve with crackers. As we were putting the food out for the party, someone had some blackberries and put them around the cheese—brilliant! Fresh fruit is ideal to accompany this cheese log. I know there’s some time involved in making this, but the steps are very easy and worth the effort. Enjoy!

Orange-Almond Cheese Log
 
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I saw a recipe in the December issue of Vegetarian Times for Date-Cheese Ball, but it's made with goat cheese. I decided to make my own version using the almond cheeze I've made before. It has a similar taste and texture to goat cheese and figured it'd be a perfect substitute. It was. Plus, the orange zest gave it such a unique flavor. I brought this to a holiday party and it was gone pretty quick. Keep in mind that this recipe takes up to two days to prepare. You could make it in a day if you blanch and soak the almonds in the morning and serve it in the evening.
Author: Epicurean Vegan
Ingredients
  • 2 C blanched almonds
  • ½ C lemon juice
  • 5 Tbs olive oil
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tsp salt
  • 1 C cold water
  • 8-oz Tofutti cream cheese
  • 1-2 Tbs orange zest
  • 2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 C sliced almonds, toasted
Directions
  1. To the make the almond cheese, soak the blanched almonds for about 24 hours in water. Next, dry them off and transfer to a food processor. Puree them with the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, water and salt. Layer a fine mesh strainer with a thin cotton napkin (works way better than cheesecloth), and place over a bowl. Pour half of the mixture into the lined strainer and wrap up tightly, then squeeze as much of the liquid out as possible. Wrap up and secure with a rubber band. Do the same with the rest of the cheese. Transfer to a plate and chill for 8 hours or over night.
  2. To make the cheese log, cream the cream cheese the food processor or mixer. I used a food processor; either would work fine---I just find that the cream cheese gets blended much better this way. You can then transfer to a bowl and stir in everything else, or continue using the food processor. Squeeze out any more liquid from the almond cheese and add them to the cream cheese along with the orange zest and thyme.
  3. Pulse several times to combine. Layout a long piece of plastic wrap and spread the toasted almond slices on it. Scoop out the cheese onto the plastic, then wrap up the sides to create a log. This will take some finessing, so just go with how you feel most comfortable doing it.
  4. Chill for a few hours and serve with crackers. As we were putting the food out for the party, someone had some blackberries and put them around the cheese---brilliant! Fresh fruit is ideal to accompany this cheese log. I know there's some time involved in making this, but the steps are very easy and worth the effort. Enjoy!
3.5.3208

 

Filed Under: Appetizers, Dressings/Condiments Tagged With: almond cheeze, almonds, tofutti, vegan cheese log, vegan cream cheese

Vegan Ranch Dip

August 21, 2011 by epicureanvegan

Vegan Ranch Dip -- Epicurean VeganThis dip is ideal for chips, veggies, and especially for the Gardein Chipotle-Lime Crispy Fingers. I used Galaxy Foods Vegan Cream Cheese—which was new for me, as I’ve always used Tofutti brand. I thought it was really good.

Vegan Ranch Dip -- Epicurean Vegan

INGREDIENTS:
8-oz vegan cream cheese
2 Tbs light miso
2 Tbs lemon juice
2 Tbs nutritional yeast
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbs dried chives

DIRECTIONS:
Combine everything in a food processor and chill for a couple of hours. Enjoy!

Filed Under: Appetizers, Dressings/Condiments Tagged With: Galaxy Nutritional Foods, vegan cream cheese, vegan ranch dip

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The Epicurean Vegan is devoted to those wanting to eat healthy, save animals, and reduce their carbon footprint. My decision to go vegan started out as a quest to get healthier, but the more I learned about veganism, the more I realized how damaging the meat and dairy industries are to the environment and, of course, the animals. And it is for these reasons, that I would never go back to eating or wearing animal products. Ever.
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