Every day thousands of people around the world discover that their bodies are lactose intolerant. This has the result of avoiding at all costs the consumption of cheeses and animal milk. For this reason, it is becoming more and more common to use vegetable milks. The truth is that we can enjoy a rich vegetable cheese without using animal milk. In this article we will show you how to do it.
How to get vegetable milk?
Vegetable milks are obtained from various nuts and seeds. They are processed with water to release their milky content, resulting in an extract of what is known as plant milk. Some of the most used are those of almonds, soy, cashews, nuts, oatmeal and rice. Let’s see below how you can make vegetable cheese or also known as vegan cheese lactose-free in an easy and nutritious way.
Why use soy milk?
Soy milk is one of the most used vegetable milks due to its high amount of vitamins and beneficial organic compounds for the human body. Some studies on the properties of soy milk indicate that it is useful for people who suffer from allergies, including babies.
The human body digests it quickly and safely, thanks to the fact that it does not need any enzyme to be processed. It is used for diabetes and to regulate high cholesterol, among many other things. That’s why you vegan cheese will be phenomenal and very nutritious, you can even make a rich vegan cheese pizza.
vegan soy cheese
This vegan cheese recipe is very versatile. It can be used both in desserts and cheesecakes, and in many other dishes. You could say that it tastes better than tofu and other similar products, and best of all: it is very easy to make and it is lactose free.
Ingredients:
To make approximately 250 g of vegetable cheese, you will need:
- 1 liter of unsweetened soy milk. For example, you can get it at a health food store or make your own soymilk at home using dried soybeans.
- 2 large lemons
- 1/2 cup of boiled or mineral water
- Salt to taste
- 1 gauze
- 1 Large sieve (cheese press)
- 1 large bowl or tub
- 1 saucepan with a lid
- 1 large spoon
- 1 Blender
If you want your cheese to have a rich flavor and scented smell, you can make it with these additional ingredients, or you can just skip this part.
- 2 garlic cloves (crushed)
- Green or black olives (according to taste and finely chopped)
- Pieces of paprika or the vegetables that you like the most, chopped into small pieces
Process
We will break down the procedure into three parts, to make it easier for you to prepare.
1. First procedure
Once all the ingredients, utensils and the cauldron are on the table ready to boil, we will proceed. You need to cover the screen with the cheesecloth and place it on top of the large bowl or cup, so that they are flush with each other. This will allow you not to spill the excess liquid from the pressing. Now heat the milk in the pan. When it starts to bubble, turn off the heat. Squeeze the lemons in the 1/2 cup of hot water, and pour half of it into the hot milk in the pan. Incorporate carefully, close the lid (the heat is what will start the solidification process), now wait 5 minutes.
2. Second procedure
From the water that remained, remove half and add it to the preparation. Gently stir in (you should start to see the milk solidify), close the lid and wait another 5 minutes. Lastly, add the rest of the water to the pan. Incorporate carefully and close the lid, now wait about 15 minutes. The water will turn yellowish and the milk will have solidified in small groups, so it can be said that you already have tofu.
3. Third procedure
Now everything is ready to go to the sieve with the gauze. Pour the mixture, allowing the liquids to drain into the bowl. You can also wrap the cheesecloth and gently squeeze the cheese to drain it.
If you squeeze, most of the liquid out of your cheese will turn hard, which is good for a textured ricotta. To obtain a soft cheese, it is best not to drain all the water and, with the help of a blender, beat it to obtain volume and a creamy consistency or until it reaches the desired texture.
Manufacture of other vegetable cheeses
This is the theory for almost all vegetable cheeses. So with it you can make almond milk cheese, oatmeal, rice, cashews, among others. There will always be variants, and it will be due to the fats that each milk contains. You can add fat to your milks to make a stronger and more stable cheese.
vegetable flavored cheese
If you want to add a natural flavor to your cheese, we show you how to do it. For the following recipe we will work with the texture of soft cheese. Thus, while the cheese is in the blender, add the garlic, olives, pieces of paprika or greens of your choice, along with a little salt to taste.
Now you can enjoy your cheese, and use it to spread, fill crepes, lasagna or as a complement to other pasta dishes.
Depending on the season of the year, you can make use of the different vegetable milks available. Substituting lactose is the best food idea you can undertake, your body will thank you. We hope you can make a delicious soy milk cheese or other milk with these easy and practical recipes to make from the comfort of your home.