This gem of an ingredient is relatively unknown outside of vegan circles. It’s the secret to many a convincing dairy free dish. It adds that ‘I can’t taste the difference’ quality. It also adds a hard-hitting punch of nutrition.
The most easily accessible brand of Nutritional Yeast in the UK
Nutritional yeast might not be the most catchy or memorable name on the market but as a description it’s pretty accurate. Firstly, it’s a yeast; a deactivated yeast to be precise. This means that it no longer has the ability to ferment anything; similar to brewer’s yeast. It’s primary purpose then becomes one centred around flavour and texture instead of fermentation.
So what flavour does NY provide? Cheese! This is the vegan’s secret cheese super power. It might well smell of sweaty feet (it actually kinda does!) but it will add the most convincing cheesey flavour that you’re sure to be surprised.
Want a cheese-like sauce? Want to add a creamy, rich flavour to a dish? Then NY is your go to ingredient.
As well as flavour, NY is a great thickener. Not in that almost shiny, artificial way that cornflour can deliver but in a rich, deep relaxed way. It’s as if you’re stirring in some oozing, melting cheese into a sauce.
What I like to think that happens to a dish when you add NY, is a bit like sitting in an over-sized, comfy rocking chair on a grand old porch in the Deep South of the USA; taking it slow and relaxing as the sun sets – life feels good. I call it adding a bit of y’all to your cooking.
But the good stuff doesn’t stop there! It’s incredibly well balanced. Packed to the rafters with B vitamins (including B12!) and super high in protein, it’s absolutely the crowning glory of the king of a vegan store cupboard.
Those % and mcg figures speak for themselves
Top things to add Nutritional Yeast to enhance that tasty goodness:
- Mac & Cheese
- stroganoff
- a creamy Korma curry
- mashed potato
- polenta
- homemade seitan
- tofu scramble
Give it a go!
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