My Very First Vegan Cashew Cheese Ball, We Made it Through April, & April Showers Bring May Flowers

This year sure has started out to be a crazy one so far, don’t you agree? But wow, just like that we made it through April. I believe most of our world is hoping for a better May than April!

We made it through April! YEAH!

This quarantine sure makes the days all blend together.   They go by so fast that before I know it, I wake up and it’s Friday and the weekend is here.  Currently my weekends don’t look much different. We’re not going out to dinner, and sadly, no brunches at our favorite cafes. No spring races, except virtually. We’re not even attending church, except virtually of course. We’re staying home…

Can you relate? How are you holding up considering everything? However you’re feeling remember to stop, take a breath, reflect on what you have learned, and most of all, realize that this will one day be another chapter closed. We will make it through and most likely, we will all learn something from this experience. Until then, I am doing my best to keep busy, to stay positive, and keeping life fun and interesting. Are you trying anything new yet?

Keep having Fun Friends

If you’ve been following me on Instagram, Facebook, or reading my blog, you have seen I have been experimenting with more plant based recipes and learning a ton about sourdough bread. I’ve had some success and I’ve made a lot of mistakes. But I am having fun!

Recently I made my very first cheese ball and it was vegan. Yep…this dairy free cheeseball is everything that I was hoping it would be…..smooth and creamy, flavourful and addictive, and easy to make (and can be made ahead of time)!

It may become your favorite addition to your appetizer table or your Chuturine Board. I know my husband and my mom were impressed and they both love Real Dairy Cheese!!

A mixture of everything for everyone! Crispy greek marinated tofu, plant and chicken sausages, olives, Brussels, veggies, hummus, sheep and cheddar cheese, vegan cheeseball, nuts, and homemade sourdough focaccia. Not sure which was a bigger hit, the bread or my cheeseball?.

Making your own cheese may sound scary and intimidating, but this one is super easy, which is why I love this recipe. The combo of the cashews and coconut oil make it so smooth and creamy, it’s almost unbelievable, and lemon, miso paste, and nutritional yeast add a gorgeous zing of flavour.

Feel free to use more dried berries…I prefer less.

Are you ready to make some “cheese”?

Elderberry & Thyme Vegan Cashew Cheese Ball

INGREDIENTS:

  • 1 cup raw crispy cashews, soaked  
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons Nutritional Yeast  
  • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  • 2 teaspoons white miso paste
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1/2 cup dried Elderberries (gift from a friend….can use dried cranberries)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. You can either boil or soak the cashews. To boil the cashews: add the cashews to a small pot, cover with water, and boil for about 10 minutes until the cashews are very tender. To soak the cashews: add the cashews to a bowl, and cover with water. Let soak for 4 hours or longer until tender.
  2. Drain the cashews and add to a food processor along with the lemon juice, nutritional yeast, coconut oil, white miso paste, garlic, and salt. Blend until very smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Add the thyme leaves to the food processor and blend to combine.
  3. Line a small bowl with plastic wrap, and scoop the cheese mixture into the bowl. Gather up the sides of the plastic wrap and twist to form a ball. Let the cheese ball firm up in the freezer for about an hour, or for a couple of hours in the fridge.
  4. Remove the now firm cheese ball from the plastic wrap, and press the elderberries onto the outside of the ball. You can also lightly press the ball to get a rounder shape if desired. You can serve it right away, or keep the cheese ball covered in the fridge until you are ready to serve.

How are you doing through all this craziness?

Have you done a virtual spring race yet or are you planning one?

What is your favorite type of cheese?

What is the first thing you are going to do once our stay at home order is lifted?

I cant wait to go to one of our favorite coffee shops.



Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Join Our Newsletter
Signup to receive the Avocado Runners Monthly Newsletter
Thanks! Keep an eye on your inbox for updates.