Is There Really Such a Thing as Dairy-Free Cheese? And Other Vegan Options? archived

You won't find real cheese, but I believe there are casein free ones. I think Daiya is one, but a lot of them also have palm oils and other stuff...

Ecch, the extra oils aren't good, either.

I did get Daiya shredded "mozzarella". It was - how do I put this delicately - disgusting. Signs do seem to point to no cheese, but it's worth looking at other brands and labels, I s'pose.

If they don't have casein in them they usually tout that they're "vegan", so look for that, but options are limited compared to a soy cheese that does contain casein.

I think it'll be tough to just switch from cow's milk cheese to vegan cheese and expect the tastes to be similar. You may want to try eliminating the cow's milk variety for a few months, then going to vegan cheese.

Whole foods on Springfield has vegan cheese pizza in their brick oven area. I like it, but I've been off cow cheese for about ten years.

Can't help with the oil, but a number of these non-dairy "cheese" (and other) products have kosher certification and if it just says "kosher" (or K) and not kosher dairy or K-D then it would not have caseinate in it as that would make the product dairy with regard to kosher rules.

Thanks, Graham and Zoinks.

I'm feeling a bit silly for not having looked more closely at the labels. I'll check out Whole Foods (I like the vegan pizza concept). Given the taste of the cheese I've tried already, I don't have high expectations for a vegan version, so maybe a cheese break is, in fact, in order.

the non-dairy cheese is not cheese. It can suffice if you can't eat dairy, but honestly, I've found myself generally just avoiding it. Pizza without cheese loaded with other stuff has become my go-to, though I have had the vegan pizza at WF and it's fine, but again, doesn't taste like cheese as you know it. The taste and consistency is absolutely off.

Roman Gourmet will make you a mean cheese free pizza.

The whole foods pizza is made with daiya I believe. I like it but perhaps it's an acquired taste?

I think the "mozzarella" I purchased was Daiya. As mentioned, sub-optimal.

Ideally, right now, a vegan, gluten-free pizza would be the way to go....but where's the fun in that?

The famous pizza joints in New Haven offer a white clam pizza. Clams, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, parsley. Crust. That's it.

Obviously this is not going to be Kosher, if that's what you're after. But it's proof-of-concept of awesome pizza sans cheese.

Nutritional yeast is a really good substitute for parmesean.

Toasted bread crumbs are a classic substitute as well, especially in seafood dishes.

tom said:

The famous pizza joints in New Haven offer a white clam pizza. Clams, extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, parsley. Crust. That's it.

Obviously this is not going to be Kosher, if that's what you're after. But it's proof-of-concept of awesome pizza sans cheese.

Sounds delicious! No, I'm not after kosher, per se. Actually, not only am I eliminating dairy products, I'm eliminating all animal products from my diet. (Would love to eliminate gluten, but I am running out of things to eat.) It's been five days (with the exception of the accidental ingestion of casein) and so far, so good (I think).

I may have to start a new thread asking for help with a vegan diet, and how to get kids on board - all without heavy reliance on soy products. Argh!

Gluten free and dairy free? Ugh! I have never tasted a really good GF crust... it will do if there's nothing else but I say why bother?

My former boss (she retired) ate dairy free "cheese". It was nasty.

marylago said:

Gluten free and dairy free? Ugh! I have never tasted a really good GF crust... it will do if there's nothing else but I say why bother?

My former boss (she retired) ate dairy free "cheese". It was nasty.

I could probably do without pizza. Not mandatory by any stretch. But thanks.

from a vegan friend:
There are vegan cheese alternatives without casien.
Whole foods has daiya cheddar and mozarella style delicious.
Amys uses in vegan mac cheese

pansy

ess said:

I'll check out Whole Foods (I like the vegan pizza concept).

They have it premade plain, but they'll put toppings on it for you. I once got the vegan pie with real pepperoni which blew their minds. Ha.

Is it edible? I really could do without pizza if it's not great (although, again, the idea of vegan pizza is appealing).

No tips for you, but just want to wish you luck on the vegan path.

ess,

I don't know how to make this a link* but here are some GF/vegan recipes.

http://recipes.xgfx.org/

ml

*nevermind...

Whole Foods frozen entree section, bottom shelf: Candle 79 entrees Ravioli and Macaroni & cheese have daiya cheese

Candle 79 is the best vegan restaurant in NYC, last year began distribution of frozen entrees, fortunately Whole Foods has them

pansy

Have you tried cashew or almond cheese (a cheese spread, not a sliceable cheese)? Google raw food recipes.

Thanks, all, for the advice, links, etc.!

I wish I'd seen this a little while ago; was just in Whole Foods. A little overwhelming if you don't know where to look.

I haven't tried the almond or cashew cheese spread, but they both sound delicious. Must check them out! I've been using almond milk instead of regular milk for about two weeks now, and really, really love it.

So far, the recipes I've been using have come from The Engine 2 Diet book. I made an outstanding vegan lasagna the other night that even my daughter liked.

my friend also recommends Tofurky products:

Turtle Creek might be the parent
there are Tofurky sausages,
deli slices, pizzas, roasts
and tempeh strips

pansy

Wait, are you an ice cream person?

@pansyfaye - Thanks so much! I've seen the Tofurky products but haven't been brave enough yet (well, it's only been a few days).

grahamb said:

Wait, are you an ice cream person?

I am a serious ice cream person. If I don't think about it, I don't miss it. Just got introduced to Almond Dream, which is a decent consolation prize. The Cappuccino Swirl is delish. I've also tried the So Delicious (I think) coconut milk "ice cream". Also delish.

another suggestion:

there's also a new type of soft vegan cheeses
in sausage like tubes that are promoted for
sandwiches, pasta and nacho toppings.
i forget the brand name but you can google
vegan cheese and find out.
there are also vegan nut cheeses made
from cashew at restaurants but not sure
if almond cheeses on the market are vegan
without casein
amy's has a vegan cheese on a couple
of pizzas - a spinach one with vegan cheese
and a margherta (tomatoes and basil) vegan
cheese


pansyfaye

I love how that reads like a poem.

Amy's brand generally has good stuff. I've been buying the canned soups (lazy!!!) for years.

Well, I am just saying: I assume you are doing this for your health, ess. Otherwise, there go all those beautiful leather boots and shoes. BTW, I wear an 8.5-9...

eta: I am also happy to help you out with your car with the leather seats...

)

Sadly, I do not wear an 8.5 - 9. And yes, it's a health experiment. I wish I could be as diligent as to eschew leather, but the boots are way too alluring.