5-Minute Macadamia Cheese + Vegan Crudité!

If roasting vegetables, preheat oven to 400 degrees F (204 C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.Once preheated, add carrots and beets to the baking sheet and drizzle with oil (or water), salt, and pepper. Toss to combine, and arrange in a single layer. Bake for 17-22 minutes or until slightly golden brown and tender.In the meantime, make your "cheese." Add macadamia nuts to a food processor or a high-speed blender along with lemon juice, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, sea salt, and 1/4 cup (60 ml) water. Mix/blend, scraping down sides as needed. Then add more water 1 Tbsp (15 ml) at a time until a thick paste forms. I find I get the best texture results with a food processor, but in a pinch, a blender can work too. It just generally requires more scraping and more liquid.Taste and adjust flavor as needed, adding more nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor, salt for saltiness, lemon juice for acidity/brightness, or garlic powder for garlic flavor. Blend again to combine. If adding herbs, add at this time.At this point, the "cheese" is ready to eat! But it's better after chilling. Transfer "cheese" to cheesecloth (or a thin, clean towel) and rest over a fine mesh strainer set over a mixing bowl. Twist the top of the cheesecloth so it forms a loose ball. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, up to 24-36 hours. The longer it chills, the firmer the "cheese" will become.Once vegetables are roasted, assemble crudité platter with macadamia "cheese," vegetables, hummus (optional), and any other desired sides. I personally loved the roasted vegetables with a drizzle of tahini and maple syrup then dipped in the nut cheese - swoon!Best when fresh. Store leftover nut "cheese" in the refrigerator for up to 10 days. Serves 2 as an entrée, 4-6 as an appetizer.