Vegan Labneh

16 -Jan - 2026

In this segment, Yal responds to the familiar question of what vegans eat for breakfast by presenting a Lebanese style labneh made entirely from cashews, offering a compassionate alternative to dairy based staples. Beyond taste and texture, Yal invites viewers to look honestly at what dairy really requires from animals in order to exist.

To produce milk, cows are repeatedly impregnated so their bodies continue producing secretions meant for their calves. Their babies are taken away shortly after birth, causing distress to both mother and calf, and the cycle continues until the cow’s body is exhausted. What ends up on our tables is not a neutral product, but the result of systemic exploitation and prolonged suffering.

Yal also addresses the impact of dairy on human health. Cow’s milk is biologically designed for rapid growth in calves, not for adult humans, and it contains hormones and proteins that can be difficult for many people to digest. Dairy consumption has been linked to inflammation, digestive discomfort, lactose intolerance, acne, and elevated cholesterol levels, raising questions about why it is still promoted as a health necessity.

By choosing cashew labneh, Yal shows that we can enjoy familiar flavors without relying on animal exploitation or compromising our wellbeing. The segment reframes breakfast as an opportunity to make choices that are kinder to animals, gentler on our bodies, and more aligned with a conscious way of living.

The Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 cups of cashews – soaked
  • ½ a lemon
  • 3 Tbsp or more of water
  • ½ tsp or more of salt
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • ½ cup rice flour
  • 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast

Instructions

  • Soak the cashews in hot water for at least an hour
  • Drain and add to the high-speed blender or food processor
  • Add the rice flour, nutritional yeast, water, salt, and olive oil, and blend until the mixture is creamy

Nutritional Information

Per Batch (~520 g)

Calories: ~1,870 kcal
Protein: ~64 g
Fat: ~118 g
Carbohydrates: ~158 g
Fiber: ~17 g
Calcium: ~210 mg
Iron: ~18 mg
Vitamin E: ~2.5 mg
Magnesium: ~820 mg

Per Serving (2 Tbsp | ~30g)

Calories: ~108 kcal
Protein: ~3.7 g
Fat: ~6.8 g
Carbohydrates: ~9.1 g
Fiber: ~1.0 g
Calcium: ~12 mg
Iron: ~1.0 mg
Vitamin E: ~0.15 mg
Magnesium: ~47 mg

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An Alternative Kitchen plant-based recipes show hosted by Yal Solan. The Alternative Kitchen is a multidisciplinary platform rooted in Mediterranean and Lebanese cuisine that explores how food affects health, the environment, and conscious living. Using simple, affordable, plant based ingredients, it invites vegans, vegetarians, and mindful omnivores to rethink what they eat, challenges myths around vegan nutrition and cost, and promotes food sovereignty through recipes, storytelling, and community focused content.