What is Provolone Cheese?
For Context
Before venturing into the vegan world, it’s important to understand the original inspiration. Traditional provolone cheese is a semi-hard Italian cheese, known for its versatility and appealing flavor. It’s a cheese that has found a home in kitchens across the globe. Its origins are in Southern Italy, where it has a long history of production.
The flavor profile of provolone can range depending on its age and the specific production method. Generally, it’s characterized by a creamy, slightly tangy flavor, with a mild to sharp intensity. Younger provolone cheeses tend to be milder, while aged versions develop a more pronounced sharpness. This makes the cheese suitable for many uses.
The texture is another key element of provolone’s appeal. It’s typically firm, but also boasts a desirable meltability. This combination makes it a perfect choice for sandwiches, pizzas, and countless other dishes. Provolone, when warmed, softens beautifully, offering a satisfying, stringy pull that’s essential for classics like a grilled cheese sandwich. This makes provolone a key ingredient in kitchens.
Provolone cheese is extremely versatile in the kitchen. It’s frequently used in sandwiches, adding a melty element. It’s also a common topping for pizzas, contributing to the overall flavor. Additionally, it’s used in pasta dishes, offering a layer of flavor and texture. It’s also used in antipasto plates and various baked dishes.
Understanding Vegan Provolone
Why Vegan Provolone?
So, how do we replicate the experience of provolone cheese while adhering to a vegan lifestyle? It all starts with understanding the motivations and ingredients.
The reasons for choosing vegan provolone cheese are many and varied. Dietary restrictions are a primary driver. Those with lactose intolerance or dairy allergies, for example, must eliminate traditional dairy products. Veganism inherently excludes all animal products, including cheese. Vegan alternatives provide a way to still experience the flavors of cheese. Ethical considerations, particularly concern for animal welfare, are another strong motivator.
Furthermore, many are discovering the potential health benefits. Vegan provolone options often boast lower levels of saturated fat and cholesterol compared to their dairy counterparts. The move towards a plant-based diet can be a step towards promoting cardiovascular health.
Ingredients Typically Used
The creation of vegan provolone revolves around a set of plant-based ingredients carefully chosen to mimic the flavor, texture, and functionality of the dairy version. The core ingredients are different, and often require some creative techniques.
Nuts, particularly cashews and almonds, are popular choices. They contribute a creamy texture and a pleasant, mild flavor base. The type of nut, as well as the quality of those nuts, can influence both.
Soybeans, often in the form of tofu, provide a neutral flavor profile and a firm, meltable texture. Tofu is also readily available, making it an accessible ingredient.
Starches like tapioca, potato, or arrowroot are essential for achieving the right texture and meltability. They act as thickening agents and allow the cheese to soften and stretch when heated.
Nutritional yeast is a critical component. It provides that signature cheesy, savory flavor that’s central to the provolone experience.
Coconut oil and other plant-based oils contribute both flavor and texture, and are extremely helpful for helping the cheese melt properly. Some formulations use blends for optimum results.
Acids, such as lemon juice or vinegar, add a touch of tang, mimicking the slightly acidic notes often found in traditional provolone.
Binders and stabilizers like carrageenan or agar-agar are often added to provide the proper texture. These ingredients help the cheese hold its shape and maintain its consistency.
Flavorings such as garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and sometimes smoked paprika, are added to further enhance the flavor profile. This allows for customizing and perfecting the taste.
Challenges of Vegan Provolone
Replicating traditional provolone, however, presents several challenges.
One of these is achieving the right flavor profile. Vegan provolone requires a balance of ingredients to mimic that characteristic creamy, tangy, slightly sharp taste. It’s a delicate balance that requires experimentation and fine-tuning.
The second challenge is replicating the meltability and texture. The way traditional provolone stretches, and softens when heated is key to its appeal. Finding the right combination of starches, fats, and binders is crucial to get that correct effect.
The third challenge involves finding the right balance of ingredients. Creating a vegan provolone cheese that successfully combines flavor, texture, and functionality, at a reasonable cost, is not simple. It involves research, development, and attention to detail.
Homemade Vegan Provolone Cheese
General Overview
One of the most rewarding aspects of exploring vegan provolone is the opportunity to make it yourself. While store-bought options are readily available, crafting your own gives you complete control over the ingredients and flavor. It also creates a very specific taste experience.
Recipe Option: Nut-Based Provolone
This version uses cashews, a common choice for vegan cheese due to their naturally creamy texture.
You will need the following:
- 1 cup raw cashews, soaked in hot water for at least 30 minutes
- 1/2 cup unsweetened plant milk (almond, soy, or oat work well)
- 2 tablespoons tapioca starch
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Pinch of white pepper
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil, melted
- Agar-agar
Instructions:
- Drain and rinse the soaked cashews.
- Combine all ingredients except the agar-agar in a high-speed blender.
- Blend until extremely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
- Pour the mixture into a saucepan.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly.
- The mixture will begin to thicken. Add the agar-agar, stirring consistently.
- Once it thickens significantly, and resembles the consistency of melted cheese, remove it from the heat.
- Pour the mixture into a container and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
Tips for Success:
- Soaking the cashews thoroughly is crucial for a smooth texture.
- A high-speed blender is essential for achieving the right consistency.
- Stirring constantly while heating prevents the mixture from burning.
- Adjust the seasonings to your personal preference.
Recipe Option: Store Bought Cheese Base
Use a pre-made, store-bought, cheese base and add ingredients to your taste.
You will need the following:
- 1 package store-bought vegan cheese base
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Pinch of salt
- Pinch of black pepper
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
- Microwave the mixture for 30 seconds, stir.
- Continue microwaving in 30 second intervals, stirring, until melted.
- Stir well, until smooth.
- Refrigerate.
Store-Bought Vegan Provolone Cheese
Popular Brands
Fortunately, you don’t need to become a cheesemaker to enjoy vegan provolone. A wide variety of delicious store-bought options are available, offering convenience and a broad range of flavor profiles.
There is a growing number of options on the market. The range of brands continues to evolve.
Popular Brands and Products
Follow Your Heart offers a popular vegan provolone slice. It’s known for its decent melt, and mild flavor. It’s commonly found in many grocery stores and online retailers.
Violife is another popular brand offering a variety of vegan cheese products, including a provolone slice. Known for a good melt, it is suitable for a wide range of recipes.
Miyoko’s Kitchen offers a premium, artisan-style vegan provolone cheese. These cheeses often have more complex flavors and are made with higher-quality ingredients.
Daiya offers several vegan cheese options, including a provolone slice. Their products are designed for melting, making them ideal for pizza and sandwiches.
Where to Buy Vegan Provolone Cheese
- Grocery stores: Major supermarkets like Whole Foods Market, Trader Joe’s, Kroger, and many others now carry a selection of vegan provolone options.
- Online retailers: Amazon, Thrive Market, and specialty vegan shops are excellent sources for finding a wide variety of brands.
- Health food stores: Local health food stores often stock a wider selection of vegan provolone brands than mainstream supermarkets.
How to Use Vegan Provolone Cheese
Cooking and Baking Ideas
The versatility of vegan provolone is one of its biggest assets. It can be used in many different ways, and is especially suitable for many traditional dishes.
- Pizza toppings: It’s a natural fit for pizza. It melts well and adds a savory dimension.
- Sandwiches: The classic grilled cheese sandwich is easily transformed. Try an Italian sub, or any sandwich where you’d use traditional provolone.
- Pasta dishes: Lasagna, baked ziti, or any pasta bake can benefit from the added flavor of vegan provolone.
- Casseroles: Add to a variety of casseroles to add a melty, cheesy layer.
- Salads: Slice or shred vegan provolone over salads for added flavor and texture.
Tips for Melting Vegan Provolone
- Oven: Place slices on top of dishes like pizza or casseroles and bake until melted and bubbly.
- Microwave: Microwave slices in short bursts to prevent them from burning.
- Stovetop: Melt slices on a skillet or in a pan for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Flavor Enhancements and Variations
You can customize vegan provolone for particular tastes.
Experimenting with different flavor profiles is easy. Consider adding herbs and spices. Try adding a touch of smoked paprika or liquid smoke to add a smoky flavor.
Nutritional Information
Vegan provolone offers a different nutritional profile compared to its dairy counterpart. It tends to be lower in saturated fat and cholesterol. It also contains a broader range of vitamins and minerals, depending on the ingredients used.
Frequently Asked Questions
One common question is, “Does vegan provolone cheese taste like regular cheese?” The answer varies depending on the brand and recipe. But it can certainly be delicious!
Another is, “How well does it melt?” Many options melt quite well. Some brands are designed specifically for melting. The ideal approach is to try it, and experiment.
“Where can I find it?” The best answer is that it’s now available in many places! The brands available, and the locations they’re sold at, change.
Conclusion
Vegan provolone cheese offers a world of possibilities. It’s a delicious and versatile alternative for anyone seeking to enjoy the flavors of provolone while adhering to specific dietary needs or ethical choices. Whether you choose to create it at home, or purchase it from one of the many options available, the journey into vegan provolone is worth taking.
This guide serves as a starting point. Be sure to experiment and find the brands and recipes that you enjoy the most. The availability and quality of vegan provolone is improving rapidly, so keep exploring! Be sure to check the labels for all ingredients and follow any medical advice you might have. Enjoy the wonderful possibilities of vegan provolone cheese!
