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Simple Cashew Ricotta

I purposely make a small portion because the cheese only lasts up to a week in the fridge. You can eat it like ricotta, cream cheese or scoop onto a pizza (with a cookie scoop)
Prep Time15 minutes
Total Time1 day 6 hours 15 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Breakfast, Lunch, Mezze
Cuisine: Plant-based, Vegan
Diet: Vegan
Keyword: Breakfast, Dairy-Free
Author: Shelly

Equipment

  • Cheesecloth, muslin or white cotton cloth, laundry or bag clips, chopstick, large coffee press or tall jar (to hang the cheese to drip in).

Ingredients

  • ½ cup raw cashews - soaked in water for minimum 3 hours (better overnight)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup filtered water
  • 1 –2 tablespoons lemon juice or 1 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
  • Pinch of nutmeg

Instructions

  • Drain the cashews and put them in a blender or food processor with the rest of the ingredients. Process until creamy and smooth. Taste and correct seasoning.
  • If using a cheesecloth, use 2 or 3 layers of it. Layer the coffee press or jar with the cheesecloth or muslin and secure with clips.
  • Pour the mixture onto a layer of cheesecloth. Remove the clips and bring the edges of the cheesecloth together, tie it around a chopstick or wooden spoon, place it across the coffee press and keep it tact with a clip so that the cheese hangs and does not touch the bottom of the coffee press. (see illustration). Let it drip in the fridge overnight.
  • The next day, remove the cheese from the cheesecloth. Serve immediately with a drizzle of olive oil or put in a container and eat as a spread. Keep in the fridge up to 5 days. Serve it like burrata, on the center of a plate with sliced heirloom tomatoes around it, a drizzle of olive oil, za'atar or oregano or fresh basil leaves.

Notes

I also use this cheese on pizza, like mozzarella. I use a cookie scoop to dot it on the pizza.