For the taste of a New York City deli right in your own home, try this tofu-sunflower based "cream cheese" spread!
Prep Time10 minutesmins
Total Time10 minutesmins
Course: Vegan Cream Cheese Spread
Cuisine: Breakfast, Brunch, Condiments
Servings: 4cups
Author: BeetEater
Ingredients
1 14-ozblock of Extra firm Tofudrained and dried very well (recommend pressing)
1/4 to 1/2cupof rawunsalted sunflower seeds
1.5tbspwhite wine vinegar
1tbspapple cider vinegar
1tspbrine from a jar of olivesI used brine from a pimento stuffed green olives variety that contains water, minced pimento, salt and lactic acid
1tspsea salt
2tbspnutritional yeast
1tspgarlic powderoptional add-in
1tspdried minced onionoptional add-in
.5 minced white onionoptional add-in
2clovesminced fresh garlicoptional add-in
1/2cupminced carrotoptional add-in
1/2cupminced celeryoptional add-in
1/2cupdiced cucumberoptional add-in
1diced plum tomatooptional add-in
Instructions
Dry the tofu very well. I recommend wrapping in a paper towel and then pressing it in a colander with some heavy canned goods or books while you prepare the other ingredients.
Mince any add-ins that you would like to add to the spread, including white onion, carrots, celery, cucumber, tomato or fresh garlic. Feel free to experiment with these ingredients to find the combination you like best.
In a food processor, add the vinegars, brine, tofu, sunflower seeds, nutritional yeast, salt, (optional) raw garlic, garlic powder, and dried minced onion and blend until totally smooth, approximately 2 minutes, stopping occasionally to scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula.
Add the mix-ins (carrots, onion, celery, cucumber, tomato) and then pulse 5-10 times until just combined with the cream-cheese mixture. Transfer to about 4 8-oz mason jars and close. Chill for 5 minutes in the freezer, and then serve spread on a bagel or sandwish, or as a dip for veggie sticks.
Stores up to 1 week in the refrigerator, or for several months in the freezer. I recommend storing in small jars and storing any excess in the freezer until ready to serve.