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Vegan Brazil Nut Parmesan Cheese

Fun fact: on average, Americans eat 23 pounds of cheese each year.  And it’s my guess that the ubiquitous Parmesan cheese accounts for a fair share.  After all, it is essential to Italian staples like spaghetti and the beloved “chicken parm.”  Even the Caesar salad gets dusted with Parmesan before landing on the checkered red and white tablecloth.

For more information on America’s cheese habits click on:

http://www.today.com/health/we-are-each-eating-23-pounds-cheese-every-year-consumer-8C11256354

So are vegans out of luck?  No way, according to Terces Engelhart, co-owner of the vegan eatery Café Gratitude!  In her cookbook, I am Grateful: Recipes and Lifestyle of Café Gratitude, Engelhart shares some of the recipes used at her restaurants.  (Café Gratitude has locations in Venice, Los Angeles, Santa Cruz, and Berkeley.)  It is one of my favorite cookbooks, purchased immediately after my first meal at Cafe Gratitude.

 

 

The Brazil Nut Parmesan Cheese is nestled in the “Dressings, Sauces, and Toppings” section of the cookbook.  One of the best parts of this recipe is that you only need three ingredients and five minutes to make it!

 

Vegan Brazil Nut Parmesan Cheese Ingredients Measured Out
Vegan Brazil Nut Parmesan Cheese Ingredients Measured Out

 

As the name suggests, the anchor ingredient is the Brazil nut.  This large nut is found in the tropical forests of Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru.  The trees are can grow up to 165 feet tall and are thought to live 500 – 700 years!

Brazil nuts are nutrition powerhouses! They are a good source of fatty acids, vitamin-E, B complex vitamins, and trace minerals like selenium, copper, magnesium, and manganese.  To learn more about Brazil nuts, check out:

http://www.nutrition-and-you.com/brazil-nuts.html

 

Pile of Brazil Nuts
Pile of Brazil Nuts

 

Gathering all of the ingredients into the food processor doesn’t take long!

 

Vegan Brazil Nut Parmesan Cheese Ingredients in Food Processor
Vegan Brazil Nut Parmesan Cheese Ingredients in Food Processor

 

And after less than a minute, you will have your final product…

 

Vegan Brazil Nut Parmesan Cheese Blended in Food Processor
Vegan Brazil Nut Parmesan Cheese Blended in Food Processor

 

Fluffy and flavorful vegan Brazil nut Parmesan cheese.

 

Pile of Vegan Brazil Nut Parmesan Cheese
Pile of Vegan Brazil Nut Parmesan Cheese

 

Sprinkle liberally on just about anything.  Today, I added mine to vegan stir-fry!

 

Stir Fry With Vegan Brazil Nut Parmesan Cheese
Stir Fry With Vegan Brazil Nut Parmesan Cheese

 

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Vegan Brazil Nut Parmesan Cheese
Prep time: 
Total time: 

Serves: 1.5 cups
 

Ingredients
  • 1 cup Brazil nuts
  • 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
  • ⅓ teaspoon of salt

Instructions
  1. Chop 1 teaspoon of garlic.
  2. Place Brazil nuts, chopped garlic, and salt in the food processor and pulse until combined. Watch out for hidden lumps!
  3. Store in an airtight container and refrigerate.