10 Things To Do With Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional yeast, also affectionally known as 'nooch', has been a secret weapon of the vegan community for decades. But as the world becomes a healthier place, nooch has been steadily showing up in more stores, menus and online recipes, causing people to ask 'Just what exactly is nutritional yeast?' Hi everyone and welcome to the Secret Nooch Club.

Nutritional yeast is a microorganism with a nutty, cheesy flavour and it is one of nature’s perfect foods. Just two tablespoons of powdery nooch flakes provide up to 9 grams of complete protein as well as being loaded with B vitamins and minerals.

1. Make the ultimate comfort food
   The most popular use of nooch within vegan circles is to vegan-ise traditionally cheesy recipes. And what's cheesier than everyone's childhood favourite - mac and cheese? Check out our recipe for vegan mac and cheese here.
2. Sprinkle it on toast
   Sprinkled onto hot toast with a little drizzle of olive oil, nooch on toast is a delicious snack. Or it can add a whole new dimension to avocado toast, bruscetta and sandwiches.
3. Cheese-up some popcorn
   For your next Netflix session, try spraying popcorn with olive oil and generously dousing with nutritional yeast. You’ll never miss stale movie popcorn again.
4. Spice up a salad
   Nutritional yeast can be used to jazz up basic salad dressings. This is especially useful for those days when you really need a little extra nudge to eat a salad!
5. Make kale more interesting
   Kale can a be a tricky one for most people to get on board with, even despite the myriad of health benefits we're so aware of. Fear not because nutritional yeast is here. Use a generous dousing of it when making kale chips to give them an extra cheesy flavour or sprinkle it onto steamed kale to liven up the flavour.
6. Put it on your morning scramble
   Whether you're a scrambled egg or a scrambled tofu kinda person, nooch goes a long way in providing a generous dose of protein and calcium in the morning.
7. Have a pizza party
   Vegan, lactose intolerant or trying to avoid dairy? Add nutritonal yeast to a cheese-free pizza loaded with flavoursome veggies and sauce and you won't be missing out.
8. Make vegan cheese sauce
   Nutritional yeast is a key ingredient to any vegan cheese sauce. Blend one cup of soaked cashews with 1/4 cup of water, 1/4 cup nutritional yeast, 2 tbs lemon juice, 2 cloves of garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Voila! A creamy sauce that can be used on anything from dipping crudités to pouring over enchiladas and tacos.
9. Mash it into potatoes
   Stir some nooch into mashed potatoes and you'll be saving calories and sodium intake by eschewing butter or cheese.
   
10. Use it instead of breadcrumbs
    You can use nooch instead of bread crumbs in any recipe that asks for some holding powder - like veggie burgers! It will cut down on the carbs and add an extra bite.

Tip:  If you are based in Dubai and want to know where to buy it, the only place we have been able to find it so far is Geant at Ibn Battuta.