Two Vegan Cheese Sauces

Standard / by / April 10, 2025 / No Comments

 

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Umami “Cheese” Sauce

©JLFields JL Fields

Ingredients

  • 1 medium sweet potato, rinsed, skin on
  • 2 cups raw cashews
  • 2 tablespoons white or yellow miso
  • 1/2 cup nutritional yeast
  • 1 teaspoon chipotle powder
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 cup warm water
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (or water)

Instructions

  1. Dice the sweet potato into cubes (about eight pieces). Put them in a pot and add just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook until tender when pierced with a fork, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain the potatoes, return to the pot, and gently mash with a fork or potato masher. This should make about 1/2 cup (110 g) mashed sweet potatoes. Set aside.
  2. Add the cashews to a blender or food processor. Transfer the potatoes from the pot to the blender. Add the miso, nutritional yeast, chipotle powder, smoked paprika, turmeric, garlic powder, cumin, and water. Begin blending to reach a consistency that is easy to pour but still slightly thick. Add oil (or water) as needed to achieve that consistency. Use immediately. Any left over can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

 

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Cheesy Chickpea Sauce

©JLFields JL Fields

Ingredients

  • 1 small sweet potato, rinsed, skin on
  • 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • ¼ cup nutritional yeast
  • 2 tablespoons miso paste
  • 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • Vegetable Broth as needed

Instructions

  1. Fill a large saucepan with about 1 inch of water, insert a steamer basket, and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to medium-high and place the sweet potato in the steamer. Cover and steam for 12 to 15 minutes, until the potato is tender. Set the sweet potato aside until cool enough to handle, then remove and discard the skin.
  2. In a blender or food processor, combine the flesh of the sweet potato, chickpeas, nutritional yeast, miso, turmeric, umami blend, and vinegar and purée until smooth. While blending, slowly add broth until the sauce is easy to pour but still thick.
  3. Use immediately or transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat the sauce in a saucepan with just a little water to thin it out before using.

Recipe Notes

Recipe from The Complete Plant Based Diet: A Guide and Cookbook to Enjoy Eating More Plants by JL Fields.

Photo: Roundglass

Photo: From JL's cooking series Prep Your Vegan Week (Lesson 3) on Roundglass.

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