Easy Mac and "Cheese"

Every vegan I have ever met has their own go-to macaroni and cheese recipe. I normally just make mine up every time I attempt this classic dish. Thus, my version of mac and cheese is never quite the same as the time before it. I made up this recipe and it's not quite like any other I have tried. This new version might just become my go-to recipe!

Ingredients:

2 servings of cooked pasta (I chose a whole grain rotini)

1 tbsp. miso

1 tbsp. tahini

2 tbsp. nutritional yeast

dash garlic powder, paprika, salt, and turmeric

Instructions:

- Stir in ingredients into freshly cooked pasta (the hot pasta will melt the tahini and miso).
- Eat!

This dish tastes the best right after it's made. It has a delicious"cheesy", nutty, and hearty taste with a bit of creaminess you get in regular macaroni and cheese. I love it!!

Macaroni and "Cheese"

Ok, I know I titled this "macaroni and 'cheese'", however my version contains neither. I would've used macaroni if I had it but unfortunately I only had whole wheat rotini lying around. I will warn you now -- this recipe is anything but healthy :)

Ingredients:

1 box pasta (I used whole wheat rotini in a 13.25 oz. box)

3/4 c. almond milk

1/2 c. oil

1/2 c. water

1 1/2 tbsp. soy sauce

3/4 c. nutritional yeast

1 tsp. garlic powder

1 tsp. paprika

1/8 block of firm tofu (I just eye-balled this so this is a guess)

1/4 c. crumbled "sausage"

Instructions:

- Cook pasta as instructed (or, if you're like me, not as instructed -- just throw pasta into a pot of water and boil).

- While pasta is cooking, preheat oven to 350 degrees.

- Throw all ingredients except for pasta and "sausage" into your food processor. Process this until smooth.

- When pasta is done cooking, spoon into a 9 x 13 pan.

- Pour your "cheese" mixture over the pasta and then add your crumbled "sausage". Mix well.

- Bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until your pasta browns just a tad bit on the top.

- Let cool for a couple minutes and then EAT!

Before I became vegan I was never really a fan of macaroni of cheese. Actually, I hated it. Let me just say that this was amazing. It doesn't really taste like your boxed macaroni and cheese. In my opinion it's way better! You can add pretty much anything to it -- chopped garlic, spinach, bread crumbs, etc. I think next time I might add some more nutritional yeast, soy sauce, and paprika. I also think this would be better with more pasta and more "cheese" sauce so it's more of a casserole. The pasta sat sort of shallow in the pan. In any case, I will definitely be making this again.

I have some food on the stove right now that smells absolutely delicious. Let's hope it tastes as good as it smells! Don't worry, I'll most likely post tonight's dinner sometime in the near future. Well, that is, after I get to posting the pecan pie I made for Christmas! I am such a procrastinator...

Zucchini "Pasta" w/ Tomato Marinara

Hey, it's my first post! To celebrate, here is an almost raw zucchini "pasta" that I made just a bit ago. I didn't have too many veggies to use for the marinara but I must admit, the flavors still popped and was delicious and fresh as ever.

Ingredients:

2 small zucchini

2 small tomatoes

1 clove of garlic

1/4 onion

a splash of lemon juice

1 tbsp. olive oil

2 tbsp. nutritional yeast*

a pinch of basil

a pinch of parsley

salt and pepper, to taste

*If anyone wants to make this a completely raw meal, leave out the nutritional yeast

Instructions:

To start, take a vegetable peeler and slice the zucchini to resemble fettucini (well, I guess you should wash them first, but I shouldn't need to remind anyone of that!). Set aside. Place the rest of the ingredients into a food processor and process away! I basically added the lemon and spices as needed. I never really measure anything so these measurements are just a guess. Anyway, place finished marinara on top of the zucchini "pasta" and sprinkle with basil and parsley. Now, you're ready to devour!

I don't normally eat raw meals, but my boyfriend, Michael, and I recently ate at Red Pepper Deli and I guess I was still on that [almost] raw food kick! I have never actually eaten this kind of meal before but I was pleasantly surprised at how flavorful it was. Of course, after the meal I finished off a bit of chocolate So Delicious ice cream with a homemade brownie Michael and I made. There goes that healthy meal. Well, I never said I was perfect...