Vegan Queso Recipes

VEGAN QUESO

Steps:

• Place cashews in a bowl and cover with 1/2 of the hot water. Soak for 5 minutes. Drain.
• Combine drained cashews, remaining 1 1/4 cup hot water, nutritional yeast, salsa, garlic, ancho chile powder, Dijon mustard, cumin, and salt in a high-powered blender (such as Vitamix®). Start blending at lowest speed and slowly increase the speed. Blend for 2 minutes. Add more hot water if you want the queso to have a pourable consistency.

VEGAN QUESO

Steps:

• Place a fine-mesh sieve over a large liquid measuring cup. Pour the tomatoes and green chiles into the sieve and press with a spatula to squeeze out all the liquid (about 1/2 cup). Put the tomatoes and green chiles into a small bowl and set aside.
• Combine the reserved liquid, cashews, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, turmeric, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt and 3/4 cup water in a 9-inch skillet over high heat. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer and let cook, stirring occasionally, until the cashews are tender, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer the mixture to a high-powered blender. Add the nutritional yeast, roasted red peppers, vinegar, hot sauce, 2 tablespoons of the reserved tomatoes and green chiles and 1 cup water. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides of the blender as needed.
• Transfer the mixture back to the cast-iron skillet. Heat gently over low heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened and scoopable, about 10 minutes.
• Garnish with the remaining tomatoes and green chiles, the jalapenos and cilantro.
• Serve with tortilla chips.

VEGAN 'QUESO'

Steps:

• Make the salsa: Put the tomatillos, chile, shallot and garlic on a foil-lined baking sheet and sprinkle with salt. Broil until the vegetables are charred and soft, turning halfway through, about 10 minutes. Once slightly cooled, transfer to a blender or food processor, add the cilantro and purée until smooth. (Reserve a few tablespoons salsa for garnish and leave the remaining salsa in the blender, as you'll add more queso ingredients to it in a few minutes.)
• Make the queso: Toast the cashews in a large skillet over medium heat, shaking the pan occasionally, until the cashews are a light golden brown and fragrant, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
• Once cooled, add the cashews, chipotle pepper, 3/4 cup almond milk, turmeric and salt to the tomatillo mixture in the blender, and purée until smooth. Add more almond milk as needed to get a smooth consistency, but be careful not to add too much or the dip will be too thin. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, if needed.
• Transfer the cashew queso to a bowl, drizzle with the reserved tomatillo salsa and garnish with chopped onion and cilantro. Serve warm with tortilla chips.