Tuesday, February 12, 2013

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.
:)

2 comments:

  1. This is delicious! Jenny brought some to us after my surgery- what a great sister:).

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    Replies
    1. What are sisters for?

      I am so happy you both enjoyed it...Doug is a lot like my boys...you have to sneak the good stuff in there sometimes!
      xo

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