Admittedly, the name isn't very appetizing, but nutritional yeast has become a staple in my cooking - especially when I'm making soups.
So, what it is? Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast, sometimes known as “hippie dust” or "nooch", and often sold in the form of flakes. It can’t be used for leavening, because it is deactivated, but is rather used as a condiment to add flavor to food.
Is it good for you? Yes! It’s a rich source of B-complex vitamins, and is also often fortified with Vitamin B12, making it popular among vegans. It's a complete protein, providing all nine amino acids the human body cannot produce. It's also rich in fiber, and folate, a B vitamin essential for pregnant women. It’s gluten-free, low in sodium and fat, and has no added preservatives. It’s a superfood!
How does it taste? It has a nutty, cheesy flavor that is often described as being savory and umami-like.
How do you eat it? I’ve heard of people using nutritional yeast as a cheese substitute in things like mashed potato and pasta, but I am yet to try those implementations. However, I’ve been using it non-stop in soups, and absolutely love it!
For anyone new to nutritional yeast, it's like a secret, magic ingredient that adds extra depth of flavor to your cooking, and really elevates the taste of a dish. Plus, unlike other flavor enhancers, it’s actually good for you. For anyone wanting to give it a try, I've been using this product.
One tablespoon of nutritional yeast in this split pea soup makes it even more delicious.
