Nutritional yeast or “nooch” is a staple in every vegan household. The taste is so yummy cheesy and all the vitamins, fiber and protein make this food not only fun to eat but good for you. Below I have a few raw dishes that showcase this superfood. Give them a try for some added delicious nutrients to your diet!

Crunchy, salty and cheesy goodness…
Raw Onion Crackers (makes 2 dozen)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oat groat flour (can grind oat groats into flour)
• 1 cup soaked cashews ground fine
• ¼ cup ground flax
• ¼ cup nutritional yeast
• ¼ cup Braggs liquid aminos
• ¼ cup water
• 2 cloves garlic chopped fine
• 1 small red onion chopped fine
• ½ tsp celtic salt and fresh black pepper

Preparation:

1. Use a food processor to grind up oats, cashews and flax if not already ground.
2. Mix all ingredients into a large mixing bowl and mix through.
3. Spread out onto parchment paper and top with another piece of parchment.
4. Using a rolling pin, roll out the mixture until about 1/4 inch thick or desired thickness.
5. Peel off top layer of parchment and place in food dehydrator and dehydrate for 8-10 hours at 105 degrees or until crispy.
6. If you do not have a dehydrator, place in oven at 250 degrees for 45 minutes.

Another simple raw recipe with the tasty nutritional yeast are raw burgers which taste amazing and make a great dinner option served on top of a salad.

Raw Burgers (makes 4 large patties)

Ingredients:

• ½ cup soaked almonds
• ½ cup soaked sunflower seeds
• ½ cup sliced mushrooms marinated in 1 tbls Braggs liquid aminos for 2o minutes
• ¼ cup carrots
• ½ cup celery
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 tbls coconut oil
• ½ cup ground flax
• 1 tsp celtic salt
• 3 tbls nutritional yeast

Preparation:

1. Combine almonds, seeds, oil, carrots, celery, mushrooms and garlic in a food processor and pulverize.
2. Transfer to a bowl and add nutritional yeast, salt and ground flax. Mix well.
3. Form into patties and let sit in refrigerator for at least 15 minutes to harden. The coconut oil harden when cooled.
4. Enjoy on top of fresh salad.

Speaking of salad, being vegan doesn’t mean having to give up your favorite foods. With a little creativity most dishes can be converted to the animal friendly variety like this raw vegan caesar salad with cashew “parmesan cheese.”

Raw Vegan Caesar Salad (serves 4-6)

Ingredients:

• 1 head romaine, washed and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbls capers
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ½ fresh squeezed lemon
• 1 tbls fresh ground black pepper
• 1 tsp celtic salt
• 3 tbls nutritional yeast
• 1 tbls Braggs liquid aminos
• 1 tbls dijon mustard

Preparation:

1. Combine all ingredients except romaine lettuce in a food processor and mix until a creamy texture is produced.
2. Toss with romaine and cashew parmesan cheese.

Raw “Parmesan Cheese”

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw cashews soaked
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tbls nutritional yeast
• ½ tsp celtic salt

Preparation:

1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and gently pulse until cashews resemble a crumbly  appearance like parmesan cheese.
2. Sprinkle and toss with salad and store any remaining in air tight container for up to a week.