Vegan Macaroni and Cheese

 

Vegan Macaroni and Cheese 

 

12 ounces macaroni (I used whole wheat)

1 shallot, peeled and chopped

1 medium potato, peeled and chopped

2 carrots, peeled and chopped

1/2 cup onion (I used red onion)

1/2 cup chick peas

1 cup water

1/4 cup raw cashews

some extra virgin olive oil

2 tsp. sea salt

1/4 tsp garlic, minced (I used garlic powder)

2 Tbsp lemon juice

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/8 tsp. cayenne

1/4 tsp. paprika

Cook pasta, drain, rinse with cold water and then set aside. In a pan add shallots, potatoes, carrots, onion, beans and water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer until tender (15-20 minutes). When that is done preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (176 Celsius). In a blender process cashews, salt, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, pepper, cayenne and veggies with their water. Process until smooth. Toss the pasta with the sauce, put in a dish and bake 25-30 minutes.

It may seem unbelievable (because it was to me) but this really, REALLY tastes like mac and cheese! I was so thrilled when I made it because it was so easy and so delicious. I made it last week and it was a hit with my husband. 

 

I actually made it again today (yes, it's that good) and mixed in some sauteed spinach, peas and roasted red peppers. I also doubled the "cheese" so that we had extra to put on top because it's so tasty.

I got this recipe from a website called Feed Me I'm Cranky although a gluten-free version was posted. Please, please try this!

Weekly Recipe: Smoothies

So this is going to be the quickest, easiest, recipe ever. Smoothies are so versatile so I'm just putting the ingredients down for what I've been sipping on lately. 

Honestly, I haven't felt like cooking. At night I just have some veggies in the form of a salad or stir fry with a protein (usually beans) and then a smoothie. I Get my fruit intake plus they're GOOD!

Smoothie Recipe #1:

1 cup nonfat, vanilla flavored Greek yogurt

1/2 cup (or less) orange juice

Strawberries

Blueberries

Smoothie Recipe #2: 

1 cup nonfat, unsweetened, plain yogurt

Splash orange juice

Strawberries 

Blueberries

(Also good with a tablespoon cashew or almond butter)

Smoothie Recipe #3:

1 cup nonfat milk

Strawberries

Blueberries

Mango

I'd like to try adding cottage cheese at some point too. Of course I will try more fruit and ingredients but I want to use up what I have first before buying something else. The frozen fruit from Trader Joe's can seem expensive but I've had the bags for three weeks now and I have a smoothie every night (except on weekends). This weekend I'll pick up some other stuff. 

Tonight I'll see how I like it with a banana since Chema picked up some while I was at work. Smoothie #3 is my favorite. It's nice and thick and not too sweet. 

Some people say adding spinach is good because of the iron and the veggie serving. Haven't tried that yet but I'd like to. Bottom line: experiment! Smoothies are great anytime of the year!