Cheesy and nutty. You could say this is nature’s Cheeto dust, only it’s much healthier and packed with nutrients. Nutritional yeast is a versatile vegan food product with a wide range of potential health benefits that everyone should have in their pantry. It is cultured from the same type of yeast that’s used for baking. However, the manufacturing process neutralizes the live yeast, meaning it won’t make a loaf of bread rise the way active yeast would.
Nutritional yeast is often used as an alternative to dairy products by vegans. If you’re looking to make a dairy-free version of a meal that includes melted cheese, you can substitute it with nutritional yeast.
You can find nutritional yeast in the natural foods section of many supermarkets. This product can be added to all kinds of dishes, so let’s have a look at all the different ways you can use nutritional yeast.
Rice and Pasta Dishes
Vegan mac and cheese, anyone? Nutritional yeast gives any type of rice and pasta dishes a burst of nutrition without having to add cheese.
Bread and Rice Crackers
If you’re in the mood for brown bread or rice crackers, add some lettuce and tomato and top it off with a little bit of olive oil and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast instead of salt and pepper.
Soup
Instead of cream, you can mix nutritional yeast to help thicken soups or sauces.
Popcorn
People often sprinkle nutritional yeast on their popcorn in place of salt or butter. It makes for a tasty and more nutritious snack.
Veggies
Mix nutritional yeast with a bit of tahini and enjoy it with veggies like peas, corn, and carrots as a snack.
Salad
Some nutritional yeast on top of your favorite salad in combination with hemp seeds can serve as an extra optional condiment.
Chickpeas
Roasted chickpeas are crispy, crunchy, and oil-free healthy snacks. Mix together a little lemon juice, garlic powder, dried oregano, and nutritional yeast for an earthy and delicious flavor combination.
These are only a few ideas for using nutritional yeast in your cooking. What are your favorite ways of using it?
[RECIPE] SIZZLING RICE SKILLET
Serves: 4
Ingredients (choose organic where possible):
- 3 cups cooked brown rice
- 3 tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, chopped
- 3 cups broccoli slaw (discard any dressing)
- 1 4-ounce jar diced pimentos, drained
- 2 15-ounce BPA-free cans navy beans, drained and rinsed
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 1/2 bunch parsley, chopped
- 1/2 cup ground parmesan cheese OR vegan cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese OR vegan cheese
- 1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning (salt-free)
- Sea salt, to taste
For an omnivore option, serve it with rotisserie chicken.
Directions:
- Add oil to a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add onion.
- Cook for 5 minutes, then stir in garlic and slaw. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 6 minutes or until slaw has wilted.
- Stir in cooked rice and allow to cook undisturbed for 8 minutes, or until sizzling and golden-brown underneath.
- Stir in pimentos, beans, spinach, parsley, cheeses, and seasonings. Cook for 5 minutes to heat through, stirring occasionally.
- Serve with salad on the side, and chicken on the side (if desired).
To Your Health,
Patti
