Dried Olive and Miso Shake (The Best Vegan Parmesan Substitute) Recipe

By
J. Kenji López-Alt
Kenji Lopez Alt
Culinary Consultant
Kenji is the former culinary director for Serious Eats and a current culinary consultant for the site. He is also a New York Times food columnist and the author of The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science.
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Updated August 29, 2018
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Dried olives and miso paste are the secret to this sprinkle-on-everything condiment. . J. Kenji Lopez-Alt

This deeply savory, slightly tangy, and aromatic condiment can be folded into or sprinkled onto your food for a big hit of flavor. It's 100% vegan and designed to take the place of Parmesan in a pasta dish, but it's also great sprinkled on salads, sandwiches, roasted meats, grilled fish, burgers, or pizza.

Why this recipe works:

  • Olives, rosemary, miso, and lemon zest combine salty, aromatic, and tangy/funky flavors to bring a big boost to savory dishes.
  • Dehydrating the ingredients not only concentrates their flavor, but also improves shelf life, creating a condiment that can be stored at room temperature for months.

Recipe Details

Dried Olive and Miso Shake (The Best Vegan Parmesan Substitute) Recipe

Active 15 mins
Total 5 hrs
Serves 12 servings
Makes 3/4 cup

Ingredients

  • 1 pound (500g; about 3 cups) high-quality pitted green olives (such as Manzanilla), drained and dried on paper towels

  • 2 ounces (60g; about 5 tablespoons) white miso paste

  • 1 ounce (30g; about 4 tablespoons) fresh zest from 3 to 4 lemons

  • 1 ounce (30g; about 3 sprigs) fresh rosemary leaves

Directions

  1. Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 225°F. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until a very rough puree is formed, about 15 short pulses, scraping down sides as necessary. Transfer mixture to a parchment or Silpat-lined rimmed baking sheet and spread in a thin, even layer.

  2. Transfer to oven and cook until fully dehydrated and crackly, 4 to 6 hours. Let mixture rest in the oven with the door left ajar until completely cool, about 1 hour.

  3. Transfer mixture to a food processor and process until a rough powder is formed. Store mixture in a sealed container in a dark, cool place for up to 2 months.

Special equipment

food processor

This Recipe Appears In

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
75Calories
7gFat
4gCarbs
1gProtein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories75
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 7g9%
Saturated Fat 1g5%
Cholesterol 0mg0%
Sodium 836mg36%
Total Carbohydrate 4g1%
Dietary Fiber 2g8%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 1g
Vitamin C 4mg19%
Calcium 36mg3%
Iron 1mg3%
Potassium 49mg1%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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