Cream Cheese and Lox

By

By Miyoko Schinner

  • 1

Ingredients

  • Sweet Cashew Cream Cheese:
  • 2 cups raw cashews, soaked in water for 3 to 8 hours and drained
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 tablespoons plain nondairy yogurt, homemade or store-bought
  • Pinch salt
  • For Lox Cream Cheese:
  • 8 oz. cream cheese
  • 1 finely torn sheet of nori
  • 1/2 roughly chopped roasted red bell pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • A few drops liquid smoke

Preparation

Step 1

1. Process the ingredients.
Combine the ingredients in a blender and process until smooth and creamy, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides of the blender jar as necessary.

2. Culture the cheese.
Transfer the mixture to a clean glass bowl or container, cover, and let rest at room temperature for 24 to 48 hours, depending on the temperature of the room and how sharp a flavor you want. For use in cheesecakes that will be sweetened, allowing it to culture for a full 48 hours will achieve a tanginess that is offset nicely by the sweetener. Cover and store in the refrigerator. It will get firmer as it chills.


For Lox and Cream Cheese
In a food processor, combine cream cheese, nori, roasted red bell pepper, salt and liquid smoke. Process until combined. Enjoy on a bagel.