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Cheese too expensive? Try these recipes instead

Though tasty, dairy products are expensive in Ghana, and sometimes not all that good for us. Try these substitutes instead.

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However, many continental dishes call for it in ingredients. If you are watching your wallet or your waistline, try these alternatives to dairy.

Cashew cheese

Cashew cheese is a decadent dip or spread made of cashews which you can get easily in Ghana, you can dollop it on to a pizza, spread it on toast or use it to dip carrot sticks into.

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Soak one cup of cashews in filtered water for two hours.

Once soaked, drain, and then put in your blender with a chopped up clove of garlic (more if you want it garlicky), a sprinkle of salt and a squeeze of lemon juice.

If you want it to be yellow, then add a little bit of tumeric, don't worry if you don't have this.

Start blending and slowly add about 1/4cup of water (make sure it's clean/filtered).

Blend until it's thick and chunky. You're best to use it up in one day.

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If you use it on pizza or anything you have baked, then add it at the end just to heat it up.

Bechamel sauce

Bechamel sauce, or white sauce, can be used in a variety of pastas, including a creamy spaghetti or lasagna. Using cheese can be very pricey, so to cut costs try this, it's very delicious.

Make it just before you need it.

You can use butter or margarine. Use two tablespoons of either, with two tablespoons flour, ½ teaspoon of salt, one cup or two tins of milk. You could also add some dried herbs or spices, depending on what it's going with.

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First, melt the butter on a low heat in a small sauce pan, then slowly add in the flour salt, and herbs if you are using them, stir constantly, until you have a smooth mixture, cook and stir for at least a minute. You may need to keep the pan on an angle to ensure the mix is smooth.

Take it off the heat and very slowly, add in the milk, keep on stirring to keep it smooth.

Finally, put the mix back on the heat, bring it to a boil and keep stirring while it thickens.

Once thick, taste it, you may want to add more seasoning, then use it on your pasta.

Almond milk

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If you are on a health kick, or are sick of powdered milk, try this easy recipe to make your own almond milk. Almonds are readily available in health stores or supermarkets.

This recipe is for one cup. If you have a reliable power source it will keep in your fridge for a few days, if not, you will need to use it up in a day.

Soak 1/4cup of raw almonds in boiled water for about ten minutes, drain and rise, then put in your blender with one cup of filtered cold water, a pinch of salt and a dribble of honey. You could also add in a pinch of cinnamon for an added boost.

Blend away for a few minutes.

The milk will soon separate, it will be pulpy at the bottom while the liquid will rise.

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Depending on what you use it for, you can separate it, just use a sieve to drain it.

It's good to drink as is, or in your coffee or on some muesli.

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