comfort food :: vegan mac and cheese

Those bleak days of winter

that have you wishing

for snow.

The cold is there.

The wind.

But no sun.

No snow.

Bleak.

Those are the days

that have me looking for

any source of 

comfort.

Days that have me remembering

the foods from childhood.

Like good old-fashioned 

Macaroni and Cheese.

Not from the box

but like mom used to make.

Kinda.

Minus the 1 pound block

of Velveeta.

My new whole food/ vegan ways

had me turning to the Internet

for options that resembled

mom's.

Found this winner at a Daiya

(veggie cheese sold in the health food frig)

site

and admittedly 

I never made it per instructions

Which has me asking...

When is a recipe considered mine?

An original?

Regardless...

 I used the recipe above to guide me

and I have perfected it along

the way.

You know that you have a

winner

when your kids (and hubby)

are going back for seconds...thirds...

mid-night snack!

Macaroni and Cheese

(Almost Like Mom's)

1# (almost) Box Barilla Elbow Macaroni

(prepared per instructions)

Meanwhile...

In a 3 Quart saucepan

Saute 1 small onion chopped fine

in 2 Tablespoons Earth Balance Butter

until soft and translucent

Stir in 2 Tablespoons flour to make a roue

Stir in 3 Cups Soy Milk

whisk to incorporate and cook until it 

begins to thicken.

Season with a touch of sea salt and fresh (generous here) pepper.

Dice 3/4 of a block of Daiya Cheddar.

Add to the milk mix and

whisk until melted and smooth.

Pour into a 2 Quart buttered baking dish

with most of the pasta.

(I reserve about 2 Cups for a

lunch toss the next day

which I will share at a later date)

Mix well.

I like my mac and cheese creamy.

Sprinkle with Paprika.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 min.

Top with French's Onions.

Bake for 5 minutes more.

Topping option:

Bread crumbs tossed in olive oil

and smoked paprika.

Placed on top before baking.

My family preferred

 French's 

Fried Onions.

Serve with a garden green and

apple sauce

...and a spot of ketchup

for dipping.

Just like I did when I was

a kiddo.

Just like mom.

:)