Sour cream is one of the staple foods in most kitchens. People use it to make a creamy frosting, thicken sauces, garnish baked potatoes, create quick dips, and many more. Typically, sour cream is added when serving or in the last part of cooking. But, it can also help soften baked goods.
With that being said, many people prefer the vegan diet and choose to remove animal products from their daily diet. The good news is there is a plant-based and vegan sour cream available, so no need to say goodbye to sour cream. Now, you can eat sour cream without feeling guilty, and at the same time, receive its many nutritional benefits, including vitamin B-12, calcium, protein, phosphorus, and riboflavin.
Is Dairy Healthy?
Many studies have pointed to the negative effects of dairy on the animals used to make the products, the planet, and humans. The production of dairy puts more pressure on the natural resources of the earth, such as soil and freshwater. Dairy cows, particularly their manure, impact climate change by producing greenhouse gas emissions. For this, people are looking for healthier and more environment-friendly ways to enjoy the creamy dip.
Dairy has high levels of cholesterol and saturated fat. According to many experts, getting rid of it can reduce the occurrence of type 1 diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, and asthma. Replacing dairy for plant-based and vegan sour cream proves to be more beneficial for health. It is also known to improve digestion and acne.
Uses Of Vegan Sour Cream
You can eat sour cream directly out of its container. If there is some separation, stir the liquid again into the sour cream or pour it off. You can use the vegan sour cream as an ingredient, condiment, sauce, garnish, spread, or raw dip. For dips, sour cream is perfect for vegetable and fruit platters, and potato chips.
If you want to add it on your cooking, do it at the end because it will curdle due to heat sensitivity. But, it works great in baked goods. Adding sour cream to your muffin, cake, pancake, or biscuit recipe, can increase its texture and flavor.
Cooking With Sour Cream
Lots of people love using sour cream when making burritos, soups, nachos, stews, and baked potatoes. You can use it in making sponge cakes, brownies, and cheesecakes. There are several cooking tricks you can use with sour cream. Remember to maintain room temperature before you add it to warm liquids or hot foods.
Try adding flour on your vegan sour cream to help prevent curdling and thicken sauces. You may also use a mock sour cream for those recipes that are slow cookers. Combine cottage cheese, lemon juice, milk, and it will not curdle or break down during a long period of cooking or when under extreme heat. Also, when using sour cream as a condiment, it is better not to use its container when serving. Instead, use a separate dish and put the remainder in the refrigerator.
The plant-based and vegan sour cream is now ahead of its dairy-based counterpart, as it offers superior texture and taste without the calories and fat of dairy-based sour cream. By going vegan and eating plant-based foods, you can help reduce the impact of dairy on the planet that is affecting animal welfare, human health, and the environment.