Raw Vegan Labneh
| February 13, 2012 | Posted by Nada under Recipes |
During my first two years of university, the labneh was one of the foods I missed the most being away from home. It’s basically strained yogurt that has the consistency of soft cheese, and is traditionally eaten with pita bread olive oil or on pastries for breakfast. It was definitely one of my favourite dairy products, coming only second to halloumi cheese.
So a while back, I shared my recipe for cheater’s vegan labneh, made with soy yoghurt and the miracle of xanthan gum. While it is delicious and pretty close to the real thing, it’s still a tad more processed than I’d like, so I set about concocting a raw version using cashews.
And believe me when I say that not only is this a raw, and more wholesome vegan labneh, it also tastes infinitely more authentic (if you’re thinking the Lebanese/Levantine version of labneh, not the Turkish version which is slightly creamier and less bitter). I have half a mind to present this to my friends and family back home and watch to see if they notice it’s vegan.
Seriously, this stuff is incredible.
Raw Vegan Labneh
- 1/2 cup cashews
- 2 tbsp lemon juice or the juice of one small lemon
- 3 tbsp water
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp citric acid
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder
- a pinch of xanthan gum
Start by processing the cashews to a fine powder in a grinder or small food processor. Combine with the lemon juice, water, salt, citric acid and garlic powder in a small mixing bowl and stir until creamy. Add a tiny pinch of xanthan gum and whisk quickly. Chill in the fridge for 5 minutes until thickened. Drizzle a tablespoon of olive oil and serve with warmed pita bread.
I’m not sure how long this will keep in the fridge, my guess would be a week.
Of course I’ll never find out, because there’s no way this lasts a week in my fridge.
For a “cheesier” variation, add 2 tbsp of nutritional yeast and an additional tbsp of water – delicious atop a wholemeal tortilla pizza.
And if you’re still lost on other ways to use labneh/cashew cheese, make sure you tune in for tomorrow’s for a very special post 
Oh man I love labneh. I’m glad you found an alternative for you!!!
Wow this looks absolutely AMAZING. I will have to try it asap!
It IS amazing. Let me know if you do!
The inclusion of citric acid and xanthan gum is genius. Can’t wait to try.
The gum makes the texture spot on – let me know how you like it if you do!
This looks really yummy! It’s such a same that I’m allergic to cashews and all other nuts and seeds! But I do try to cheat sometimes with just a tiny bit…
yay!!!! more labneh ideas! i love love love labneh.. I would insist on getting a sandwich of it everyday to school (back in the day) . I’m definitely going to try this concoction, looks yummy. Thanks for sharing!!
Dareen
http://www.IngeniousHealth.com
Hmm it looks nice!! I’m always looking for kind of easy recipe, and since I love to travel but cannot afford it most of the time I like travelling while eating
) I’ll try this one soon!
Where do you find the xanthan gum?
I got my xanthan gum from the gluten free section at my local supermarket, you can definitely find it at any health food store though.
I love labneh (I seriously should have been born mediterranean)and I’m so keen to try this! Yummmmm
I feel the same way about being born Lebanese
It looks gorgeous!
Thanks Jemma
[...] tbsp of my raw vegan labneh or cheater’s vegan [...]
I’ve never heard of labneh before but this looks so tasty! Thank you for sharing! I bet this would be great on a piece of crusty socca.
Labneh was one of my obsessions pregan, and I am so excited to try this! Thank you.
[...] no secret that cheese-y flavours have been on my mind, given my recent fixation with raw vegan labneh/cashew cheese. As much as I adore nut cheeses, they can be a little rich and dense sometimes. Enter the [...]