Vegan

Buffalo Cauliflower Mac from Vegan Mac and Cheese

https://www.chicvegan.com/buffalo-cauliflower-mac-from-vegan-mac-and-cheese/

Non-dairy cheesy, saucy macaroni perfectly complements spicy buffalo cauliflower in this Buffalo Cauliflower Mac recipe from Vegan Mac and Cheese by Robin Robertson. It’s the perfect dinnertime comfort food!

Vegan Mac and Cheese

When I get a new cookbook, I almost always gravitate to the macaroni and cheese recipe. If it has a delicious mac and cheese recipe, then I know it’s a good cookbook. That was impossible to do with Robin Robertson’s new cookbook, though, as it contains nothing but mac and cheese recipes!

Vegan Mac and Cheese is a comfort food lover’s dream come true. It contains more than 50 recipes for dairy-free macaroni and cheese. I know what you’re thinking, “Is it really possible to make that many different types of mac and cheese?” And the answer is yes! And wait until you see how creative they are!

Robin starts the book with a history lesson. The history of mac and cheese that is! She shares the low-down on veganizing this classic dish, reasons why you should make it yourself, the different types of pasta you should use, and a variety of ways to make dairy-free cheese sauces. She includes different topping and add-in ideas, too.

The Recipes

The recipes in Vegan Mac and Cheese are super creative! Robin uses global inspiration in such recipes as Italian Macaroni Pie, Mac and Thai, and Noodle Kugel. She adds veggies to macaroni in Broccoli Mac UnCheese, Spinach Artichoke Mac UnCheese, and Asparagus Mac and Hollandaise. There are also recipes for those who crave a heartier dish, such as Chili Mac, BBQ Jack Mac, and Shepherd’s Mac. She even plays with her food in such recipes as Mac UnCheese Balls, Waffled Mac and UnCheese, and Cheesy Mug Mac.

Chapters in Vegan Mac and Cheese Include:

Basic Mac UnCheese
Global Cheesy Mains
Mac and Veggies
Meaty Macs
Fun with Mac UnCheese

If you’re looking for creative ways to make everyone’s favorite comfort food, this is the book for you!

Buffalo Cauliflower Mac

Buffalo cauliflower has been making the rounds, so it should come as no surprise that it turns up in a mac uncheese. The cheesy, saucy macaroni is a perfect foil for the spicy hot cauliflower.

Ingredients

Sauce

1
large russet potato
cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) chunks
1
large carrot
cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) chunks
2 1/2
cups
(600 ml) vegetable broth
2/3
cup
(40 g) nutritional yeast
2
tablespoons
(30 ml) tamari
1/2
teaspoon
onion powder
1/2
teaspoon
garlic powder
Salt

Cauliflower

1
head cauliflower
cored and cut into bite-size pieces
Olive oil cooking spray
for the cauliflower
1
teaspoon
garlic powder
Salt
1/3
cup
(80 ml) hot pepper sauce
preferably Frank’s RedHot
4
tablespoons
(56 g) vegan butter
melted
1
tablespoon
(15 ml) apple cider vinegar
1
teaspoon
paprika

Pasta

16
ounces
(454 elbow macaroni
or other small pasta

Instructions

To make the sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the potato, carrot, and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil and cook for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender when pierced with a fork. Carefully transfer the mixture to a blender or food processor. Add the nutritional yeast, tamari, onion powder, and garlic powder and season with salt. Blend until smooth. Set aside.
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
To make the cauliflower: Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer on the prepared sheet. Spray the cauliflower with cooking spray and sprinkle with the garlic powder and salt. Roast for 20 minutes or until softened. Transfer to a large bowl and add the hot sauce, butter, vinegar, and paprika. Stir well to coat. Return the cauliflower to the baking sheet (you may want to use a new sheet of parchmenand arrange it in a single layer. Bake for 10 minutes more.
To make the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain well and return it to the pot.
Stir in the sauce and place the pot over low heat. Cook for a few minutes to heat through.
Add the buffalo cauliflower and gently stir to combine. Serve hot.

Recipe Notes

Photography: Jack Adams Photography

Vegan

Mushroom Matar Masala (gluten-free, soy-free)

Mushroom matar masala starring mushrooms and peas in an easy, creamy tomato curry sauce that you make in the blender! It’s a versatile Indian curry that’s ready in about half an hour. This post was originally published on aug 19,2016.

close-up of mushroom matar masala in the pan after cooking and adding garnish

This mushroom and pea curry is easy and delicious and perfect for weeknights. Masala means many things in Indian cuisine. It can be a dry spice blend, a wet spice blend or a masala sauce which can be used to make a dish. This masala sauce is paired with browned mushroom and green peas to make a delicious mushroom pea curry. I add some spinach or greens as well as chickpeas for protein.

Make the sauce creamier with more cashews, add vegan butter to make makhani or butter sauce. You can also control the heat, making it spicier or milder, to taste. The matar masala sauce with mushrooms and peas is a satisfying, flavorful meal.

close-up of a bowl of mushroom matar masala with flatbread

Serve this dish over rice or cooked grains, with flatbread, or over toast for snack or breakfast. It’s an easy recipe with just 20 minutes active cooking time, then let everything simmer so the flavors can meld.

This recipe was originally written with a blended sauce. I used to make blended sauces a lot more before as they reduces all the chopping time. But you can finely chop the aromatics and use that instead as well.

Matar mean peas, and you can use less or more peas, to preference. This simple masala sauce also works well with any veggies, or baked tofu, soy curls, chickpeas or lentils.

hand scooping up mushroom matar masala onto a piece of flatbread

To make the sauce without nuts, use pumpkin seeds, silken tofu, plain unsweetened non-dairy yogurt, full fat coconut milk, or coconut cream in place of the cashews.

Mushroom Matar Masala. Mushrooms and Peas in creamy tomato sauce. Easy Mushroom Masala Recipe. Vegan Gluten-free Soy-free. | VeganRicha.com

Why You’ll Love Mushroom Matar Masala

hearty, creamy, tomatoey curry sauce with toothsome mushrooms and sweet peas
chickpeas for protein, or use your plant based protein of choice
tons of flavor from garlic, ginger, green chili, and garam masala
versatile! Creaminess, spiciness, texture, and proteins are all adjustable to your taste.
naturally gluten-free and soy-free with easy nut-free option