There are an assortment of veggie cream cheese recipes available. These nutritious and delicious alternatives can be customized to meet dairy-free and vegan dietary needs. For those who prefer the convenience of prepared foods, alternatives are available from several sources, including Galaxy Foods.
One simple and quick dairy-free recipe is based on tofu. It yields one cup, and takes only five minutes to prepare. Its ingredients include 1/2 teaspoon pepper, one teaspoon salt, two tablespoons of a sweetener (honey, maple syrup, raw sugar or brown rice syrup), 1/2 tablespoon soy milk (or water), 1/4 cup cashews, one cup tofu (soft, silken or medium).
The tools required are a blender (or food processor), kitchen towel, and container with a lid. After draining the tofu, squeeze out excess water and wrap in the towel. Then, add it and all the other ingredients to blender and process for about two minutes. Add more tofu for a firmer paste, more soy milk for a softer paste. The level of sweetness can be adjusted to taste. Transfer the paste into the container, close the lid and chill before serving. For the best flavor, let it sit overnight in the refrigerator.
For a creamy cashew-based alternative, gather the following ingredients. You’ll need 1/4 teaspoon salt, one teaspoon lemon juice, two teaspoons apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon unsweetened non-dairy milk, two tablespoons canola oil, and 1 and 1/2 cups unsalted, raw cashews.
Rinse the cashews and soak for 12 hours. Then, drain them and place in a food processor with all other ingredients. Process the mixture for several minutes, until it becomes a smooth paste. Spoon the mixture onto a cheesecloth and wrap lightly. Put it in a bowl and store at room temperature overnight. This will allow the mixture to rest, and the flavors to evolve.
There are a delicious variety of veggie cream cheeses available. They can be custom-made at home, or purchased from health food companies.