This is a game changer if you don’t eat dairy. It’s even so good that those who love cheese will want to dig in! It has four ingredients and a three-minute prep time, so there is no excuse not to give it a try.

All you need are raw organic cashews, nutritional yeast, sea salt, garlic powder or onion salt, and about three minutes to whip it together! It’s a perfect topping for pasta, pizza, sandwiches, salads, popcorn, and any recipe that calls for Parmesan cheese.

Nutritional yeast has been a pantry staple in our home for years since going mostly dairy free. It has a nutty and savory taste that goes well with sea salt and extra virgin olive oil.

Nutritional yeast is an inactive yeast, so it doesn’t grow like baking yeast and has no leavening ability. It contains B-vitamins, folic acid, zinc, and protein (8 grams of protein in 1 1/2 tablespoons!). This powerhouse is low fat and gluten-free (check specific brands) and contains no added sugars or preservatives. 

Most brands contain B12, a natural energy enhancer and a producer of DNA and red blood cells. Vitamin B12 is absent from plant foods and is found mainly in animal or dairy products and fortified cereals, making it harder for vegans and vegetarians specifically to ensure proper levels. This is a great way to get your B vitamins.

We use it all the time when cooking for our kids too. They call it “yellow cheese.”

Recipe

• 1/2 cup raw organic cashews
• 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
• Himalayan sea salt to taste (¼ teaspoon is a good place to start)
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder or onion salt

Combine all ingredients in your blender and process until a powder is achieved, about 30 seconds. Ensure you don’t overblend.

Store in the refrigerator to maintain freshness. It lasts for several weeks.

Sprinkle away and embody wellness.

We are so thrilled about this recipe, we hope you enjoy it too. 

Our thanks to Minimalist Baker for the inspiration.

Christine Beal Dunst and Stephanie Rapp are the co-founders of Embody Wellness Company, specializing in creating customizable holistic wellness and nutrition programs targeted at life’s most important milestones: marriage, children, and career. For more information, visit EmbodyWellnessCompany.com.