nutritional yeast

[divagirl]

Does anyone use this? I read a little of this book "skinny bitch" and its on a vegan lifestyle. It's makes much sense...of course I wonder if I could truly convert to vegan. I heard you can use this yeast and it almost tastes like cheese. Wondering if anyone can give me suggestions, input and possibly a good brand to buy.

Tina

 

[My2girls]

I have never used it but it does taste like cheese. They use it in a snack called Tings (forgot the brand) and they taste similar to cheetohs but not orange. I've wondered about using it in recipes and such and would be interested to hear if anyone does!

Mary

 

[alsrnbsn]

I've tried it, and yes, it does taste a bit like cheese. I really liked it sprinkled on popcorn.

 

[saia11]

Tina,
I use nutritional yeast all the time and have for years. It's a great source of vitamin b-12, protein, and flavor. The "Red Star" brand is probably the most famous and the one you're most likely to find. It's consistently yummy and has a nice even texture. (Sometimes you come across nutritional yeast that is very dark and has a funky taste). It should be medium to light yellow in color and smell pleasant.
It does taste great on popcorn, but it's hard to make it stick and I don't eat popcorn often enough, lol. One of my favorite uses in in sauces and soups. This will dissolve into almost any sauce or soup and up the nutritional content nicely. It makes "instant", thick, rich tasting broth for both broth and creamy soups. I've even started using it in tomato based sauces and it adds a depth of flavor to them that rocks! There is a whole cookbook for nutritional yeast that I read about a year ago, but that I don't own.

HTH,
Mattea

 

[toughYrun]

Mattea, If I am not mistaken I believe that nutritional yeast provides B12 only if it has been fortified with it..... I agree, though, that it tastes good.

 

[saia11]

Elaine,
Yes, that is true, but it is very easy to find a brand that has been fortified with it, as a vegan I never buy one without it. Most types that you'd find in the store have been fortified, but you're right, it's a good question to ask, or at least keep in mind if b12 is an issue for you. Thanks for the reminder

Mattea

 

[toughYrun]

Mattea, Tina mentioned in her original post that she is considering a vegan diet and since getting adequate B12 could be an issue with that lifestyle I thought it important to mention that nutritional yeast provides B12 only if it's been fortified. And actually, that as a vegan the only way to get adequate B12 at all is through a supplement or other foritified foods.

 

[jamarba]

I just started using this. I like the taste. I've been sprinkling it in salads, on fish and some casseroles.

 

[Jacque1038]

Besides the popcorn idea I have already used it in recipes to make a "cheese". I fooled my family by blending it with pine nuts and a couple of other things in a stuffed eggplant recipe.

Also if you want to get B12 from it make sure you store it in a light proof container.

 

[winsomehill]

I love nutritional yeast - my children call it nuntie - try mashed up avocado on whole wheat toast with salt pepper and nuntie. It tastes like eggs on toast to me. Okay- this may have something to do with the fact that I haven't had eggs on toast for many many years. I'm telling you it's delicious. Nuntie is great on baked tofu. For Thanksgiving every year I make a vegie pot pie with nuntie gravy. It's great on noodles. There are lots of vegie recipes, I'm sure you could find some on the net.
Good luck,

Heather

 

[kathryn]

Nutritional yeast is tasty, but make sure you get actual "nutritional yeast" (a yellow yeast, specifically grown on molasses) and not "brewer's yeast (a waste product of the brewing industry, that is more tan, and is often bitter).

I used to eat a lot of NY on popcorn, as others have said (spray popcurn with tamari/soy sauce---a glass plant mister works well for this--then sprinkle NY on top). Years ago, a lot of veggies used to take it with OJ (about a tablespoon of NY stirred into a tall glass of OJ...sounds odd, but actually tastes very good).

Just be aware that NY can be hard for some people (and animals) to digest, and it causes REALLY bad smelly farts sometimes, especially if you use too much at once. I once met a cat who ate a lot of NY, and while he was sitting on my lap, getting some pets, he let out the most aweful 'silent but deadly' fart: I could barely stand it! A friend of mine has the same problem when she east NY 'gravy' (maybe because she doesn't eat it often?).

Red Star Nutritional yeast (also called "Good tasting nutritional yeast") always has B-12 added to it.

"The Ultimate Uncheese Cookbook" has a lot of non-dairy 'cheese' recipes in, many of them using NY. I have the book, but haven't tried the recipes, though I've heard they are good: much better than any non-dairy cheese you can buy.