What You Need to Know About Cooking With "Nooch"
We know, the name is already making you giggle or cringe in confusion. 'Nooch' aka nutritional [...]
We know, the name is already making you giggle or cringe in confusion. "Nooch" aka nutritional yeast has been a staple in vegan diets for many years. It's the same yeast you would bake with, except that it's been pasteurized causing it to be deactivated.
Packed with protein, nooch provided an outstanding 8 grams per tablespoon and often fortified with B vitamins; two nutrients many plant-based diets fall short on.
Don't glaze over yet, Womanistas, even carnivores can appreciate the umami flavor nooch brings to dishes. Its salty, savory profile is often compared to cheese, which works out because nooch is sold in a flaky form similar to the parmesan you might sprinkle on your spaghetti. Look for it in the natural foods aisle next time you make a grocery run and try adding it to some of these foods!
Popcorn
Next time you're having a movie night, pass on butter and sprinkle some nutritional yeast on your popcorn instead. Nooch provides a delicious flavor similar to butter but without all the fat. This recipe suggests tossing popcorn in a bowl with nooch while it's still warm allowing every kernel to be coated with the delicious flavor.
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Mac 'n Cheese
Technically this should be called mac 'n' butternut squash 'n' nooch, but you won't even notice the cheese is missing because nutritional yeast provides such a similar flavor. Other ingredients like coconut oil and sunflower seeds ensure this classic dish is as rich and comforting as it should be.
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Chips
Homemade sour cream and onion chips? You don't have to ask us twice. This recipe skips the salt and calls for nutritional yeast instead giving this addictive snack a healthy spin.
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Biscuits
Cheddar biscuits are down right delicious, but not necessarily diet-friendly. Substituting cheese will not have you sacrificing taste or creaminess, instead, the nooch yet again does what it does best, providing ample cheddar flavor and protein goodness. This recipe also packs a spicy flavor addition with jalapeno, making this biscuits breakfast, lunch or dinner-approved.
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Veggies
Nooch can even be used as a simple seasoning. Instead of plain old salt and pepper, season your veggies with nooch before roasting. You'll get a boost of B vitamins and a whole new flavor experience.
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Dip
Cheesy dips that you are bound to encounter at the next gameday celebration can be SO tempting. Want the cheesy taste and texture without the dairy? Try nooch in your next party dip. It adds the perfect punch of flavor to this creamy bean dip.
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Pesto
The name "pesto" derives from the preparation of the sauce with a pestel and mortar, both very laborious and time consuming. However, this nooch version is not labor intense or time consuming -- win, win. And the immense about of cheese in normal pesto, also not a part of this dairy-free version. Throw some nutritional yeast in with your basil next time you decide to whip up a batch of pesto. This recipe is perfect on pasta, pizza or panini's.
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Fries
Healthy fries would normally be the definition of an oxymoron, but this recipe actually makes it possible. Toss your taters in nutritional yeast next time you have a craving and feel better about giving in. As if you were not 100% convinced that these fries will be tastier? The chipotle "mayo" -- need we say more?
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Eggs
A healthy breakfast can positively impact your whole day! Give your breakfast a boost by shaking some nutrition yeast into your usual egg scramble. With the addition of this ingredient, you'll get a 1, 2 protein power punch that will keep you full until lunch. Yes, it's possible!
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Breading
Add nooch to flour-or non-flour-mixture next time you're in need of on a crispy coating. This light and gluten-free recipe by Elissa Goodman has a umami flavor that in combination with the nooch is perfect with the crisp, light zucchini.
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