Consumption of vegan cheese is now the trend especially if you are trying to cut down on dairy products or if you just want to live a healthier life. Vegan cheese is a plant based, non-dairy type of cheese. This means that vegan cheese is one hundred percent animal free and it is made using vegetable plant proteins and fats. Most vegan cheeses are made from sesame seeds, sunflowers, pine nuts, soya beans, rice and coconuts just to name a few. There are also a number of well-known vegan cheeses on the market for example mozzarella, daiya,and vegan parmesan and vegan gourmet cheddar. These cheeses taste so delicious especially if they are melted the right way and you can add them as toppings to your dishes. It is important to note that vegan cheese needs to be melted the right way so that it gets a smooth creamy texture since some of them have a hard texture, this article highlights the different methods that can be used to melt vegan cheese.
Contents
Melt vegan cheese using a stove
NB: the amount of time that the vegan cheese takes to melt is based on the quantity of the vegan cheese you have. So if you want to melt half a cup of cheese it will take lesser time as compare to melting a bowl of vegan cheese.
For this method you will need any two types of vegan cheeses for example the vegan parmesan and vegan mozzarella. You will also need unsweetened almond milk. The first step is to grate the 2 types of vegan cheeses you have into a bowl or plate. If you grate the vegan cheese it will melt faster when heated unlike when you place it in big blocks. The next step is to take a non-stick pan but if you don’t have a non-stick pan you can just use any pan. The reason why a non-stick pan is recommended in this recipe is because it prevents the vegan cheese from sticking to the bottom of the pan also it makes it easier to clean the pan afterwards. The next step is to place the non-stick pan on a stove which is set on medium heat so that the vegan cheese can melt slowly without burning. Add the vegan cheese and a little bit of almond milk then stir a bit using a spatula so that it can really scratch off the surfaces of the pot, thus preventing any cheese from sticking to the bottom. Stir the vegan cheese and unsweetened almond milk together until they form a nice smooth cheese sauce. If the sauce seems to be a bit runny you can add more vegan cheese just to thicken it up.
Melt vegan cheese using a microwave
NB: this is the fastest method to use when melting vegan cheese.
The microwave can also be used to melt vegan cheese, the first step is to find a microwave safe container and spray it with non-stick spray so that the cheese does not stick to the container. Add the vegan cheese of your choice and any plant milk of your choice for example unsweetened almond milk. This will help to prevent the vegan cheese from becoming lumping during the melting process. The amount of plant milk you will need is determined by the amount of vegan cheese you want to melt. The next step is to add an acidic ingredient for example white vinegar or beer this helps to ensure that the cheese stay smooth during the melting process and also it adds a little bit of flavour to the vegan cheese. Place the microwave safe container containing all the ingredients and microwave them for about 30 seconds on high. Melt the cheese in 5 to 10 seconds intervals while constantly stirring it to keep track of the texture. After 30 seconds remove the vegan cheese from the microwave and gently stir it using a spatula so that you can really scrap off all the cheese at the bottom of the microwave safe container. The vegan cheese should have a smooth texture after being pulled out of the microwave however, if it still has lumps you can pop it into the oven and melt it for an additional 10 seconds until it reaches the consistency you want.
Melt vegan cheese using an oven
NB: this method is usually used when making casseroles or nachos so the vegan cheese is added as a topping. Furthermore this method is time consuming since it requires one to constantly babysit the vegan cheese.
The first step is to follow the instructions of the recipe you are making whether it is a casserole or a nacho. When the casserole or nachos are ready to be placed in the oven grate your vegan cheese and then sprinkle it on top. The whole point of grating the cheese is so that it can easily melt. Place the casserole or nachos containing the vegan cheese in the oven which is set to about 350 degrees although this varies according to the instructions of each recipe. However, the general rule is that you should bake the dish until the vegan cheese becomes bubbly and melted. Be sure to constantly check on the vegan cheese so that it does not burn.
Conclusion
Vegan cheese is the go to ingredient if you want a substitute for cheese, the fact that you are a on a vegan diet or have allergies to dairy products shouldn’t limit you from enjoying cheese. Melted vegan cheese will leave you craving for more especially if it is incorporated in dishes. This article highlighted the different methods that can be used to melt vegan cheese. You can choose to use a stove or a microwave to melt your vegan cheese. But if you want to incorporate it as a casserole I would strongly recommend using the oven. Even though the oven takes more time, the wait will still be worth it in the end.
