A question about a recipe: One Pot Kale and Quinoa Pilaf; without cheese?

Question

I love this recipe and have made it a handful of times, already.  my husband enjoys it, too, but he is not a cheese-lover.  any suggestions for how to make this recipe without the cheese?  or maybe with a cheese other than goat cheese?  thanks!

Tarragon · Answer

I make the pilaf with feta.  It doesn't need the cheese for moisture; if I were to substitute anything I'd substitute something salty, like salted nuts (instead of the pine nuts), or capers or olives. The ham suggested by Sam would serve the same purpose.

bcstarke · Answer

I'd recommend avocado.

walevitt · Answer

you could probably make this without the cheese, though maybe try something like creme fraiche or sour cream instead.

bk_novice · Answer

thank you, everyone.  drbabs: you don't think you need the cheese to help lubricate (for lack of a better word) the ingredients during mixing?  do you think I should increase the oil if I take away the cheese?

drbabs · Answer

My husband doesn't eat goat or feta cheese either.  I make it without the cheese, and then add a little cheese to mine after I serve his.

vrunka · Answer

I make a similar salad with either garbanzo or cannelini beans -- you could try that in place of the cheese. It would add a little flavor and textural difference and make it more of a substantial dish. You might want to up the salt and lemon a bit, too, to make up for the missing cheese.

Sam1148 · Answer

I'd just leave off the cheese. Does he eat ham? A slice of 1/8 inch prosciutto ham diced..would pare nicely with the kale and replace the salty element of the cheese.

A question about a recipe: One Pot Kale and Quinoa Pilaf; without cheese?

7 Comments

Popular on Food52