Tag Archives: nutritional yeast

Veganize It: Mac Un-Cheeze

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Ladies and Gentleman.  I am proud to present to you a recipe.  A vegan recipe.  The holy grail of comfort food:  Mac Un-Cheeze.

In all its vegan, gooey, cheesy glory!

In all its vegan, gooey, cheesy glory!

Your mouth is probably watering after viewing that photo, so I’ll save you the written oozy goodness about this recipe and cut right to the chase.  I just want to say that this recipe is ENTIRELY original, not an improvisation on another recipe, but one that Melissa came up with all her own.  I’m insanely proud of her!

Melissa’s Mac Un-Cheeze (Serves 6-8)

Ingredients

4 tablespoons vegan butter (Earth Balance)
1/4 cup flour
2 cups non-dairy milk of your choice (we used plain soy milk)
1/2 cup nutritional yeast
1/2 cup Daiya vegan cheddar shreds
1/2 cup Daiya vegan mozzarella shreds
salt and pepper to taste
More Daiya shreds for topping
Panko bread crumbs
16 oz package pasta of your choice (we used whole wheat shells)
Method
  1. Pre-heat oven to 425F
  2. Cook and drain pasta, set aside.
  3. Melt butter in a medium-sized saucepan on low heat.  Add the flour, quickly whisk together with the butter.  Add soy milk, turn heat up to medium.  Add nutritional yeast, whisk together.
  4. Add the Daiya vegan shreds, stir.  Cook on low/medium until the shreds melt and forms a somewhat thick sauce, but not too thick. Watch the heat so it doesn’t burn or boil.
  5. Once the sauce is ready (forming a melted and thickened sauce), remove from heat.  Add salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Mix the pasta and sauce together in a 9×9 baking dish and add some more shreds as you go along.  Use a generous amount of cheddar shreds on top, as well as a generous amount of panko bread crumbs.  No real measurements on this part, depends on how much melty and crunchy goodness you like!  Sprinkle a little salt and pepper on top.
  7. Bake in oven for about 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bread crumbs are golden.  Let cool and enjoy!

Tonight the Mac Un-Cheeze was served with some yummy crispy tofu cutlets and collard greens.  Talk about comfort food to the extreme!  Perfect for the sub-zero temperatures we have been experiencing here in Jersey City!

I mean, really now. I just can't.

I mean, really now. I just can’t.

Vegan Like Me No. 17

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Vegan Like Me aims to profile fellow vegans, from all walks of life from everywhere in the world! We’ve all been beginners and I think its important for folks to hear people’s stories in order to motivate themselves to keep going. This feature is intended to do just that. If you are vegan and would like to participate, get in touch with me and I’ll be sure to send our questionnaire along to you.

Name:  Nicole Graziano

Nicole, vegan 3 and a half years

Where do you live?  Northampton, MA

How long have you been vegan?  ”3 and a half years”

What inspired you to take on a plant-based (vegan/vegetarian) diet?  ”I have been vegetarian since I was 8 years old.  As a kid, I simply thought it was “really weird” to eat animals, so I stopped.  My parents dealt with it just fine, and I was a healthy teenager.  I was vegan for a short time in my early 20s as a result of being immersed in the NJ hardcore scene.  Truthfully, though-I didn’t fully understand the reasons for being vegan, so eventually I reverted back to eating dairy and eggs.  Later, in my mid 30s, my boyfriend stumbled upon Colleen Patrick Goudreau’s Vegetarian Food for Thought podcast because we were very interested in veg. cooking, and we both listened.  Little did I know that after listening to just three of these podcasts, my choices and diet would be forever changed.  I am embarrassed to admit that until listening to Colleen’s words, I had no idea that cows did not readily give milk and had to be impregnated in order to do so.  It was all I needed to hear, and I became vegan the very next day after hearing her speak the horrific truths of the dairy and egg industries.  My boyfriend also decided to become vegan just a few days later.  We’ve been much more at peace and healthier ever since!”

What do you love most about being vegan?  “I was pleasantly surprised by the 15 pound weight loss I experienced after becoming vegan and have found that I don’t gain a pound on a vegan diet no matter what I eat.  This is fortunate, as I love vegan food.  I also feel that my vegan diet has halted the aging process for me.  I’m 38 and feel better and more energetic than I ever have before.  It just keeps getting better.  Also, as a food lover, I also really love scouting out vegan restaurants and recipes.  But, what I most love about being vegan is knowing that I am doing my absolute best to ensure that no harm comes to any animals.  I feel much more at peace and in line with my belief system as a result of my food choices.”

What three items do you always have in your pantry?  “Nutritional yeast is a must for us.  I LOVED parmesan cheese before becoming vegan, and nutritional yeast mixed with nuts and sea salt is a fine substitute.  I also think that some wonderful sauces can be made with tahini and miso, and I make a delicious macaroni and cheese with these ingredients that could fool anyone.  Perhaps most importantly, we always have a bunch of fresh, local vegetables on hand as a result of our summer and winter farm shares.  We love coming up with new recipes for whatever we receive each week.”

What is your favorite vegan comfort food?  “It’s hard to name just one, but I really do love pastas with creamy sauces.  We do wonders with nutritional yeast, fresh herbs, vegetable broth, white wine, and soy milk.  I’ve been enjoying quinoa pasta lately as a healthy alternative.  I also really love making different nut cheeses.  They’re delicious!”

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about taking on a plant-based (vegan) diet?  “I would tell them to go for it and explain that when I did, I never looked back, not even for a second.  It’s the best decision I have ever made, and I can smile every day knowing that I am doing what I can to help my health, animals, and the environment.  I’d also tell them to visit a local farm sanctuary and find out what happens to animals whose bodies and secretions are used for food.  After educating themselves and meeting the animals, they’re most likely to go come to veganism naturally.”

Do you find anything difficult about being vegan?  “I have never experienced any difficulty being vegan in terms of finding delicious, satisfying food.  I do tend to sometimes struggle though when friends and family know the truth about how animals are treated and still remain omnivores or vegetarians rather than vegan.  When this happens, I try to remember that it took me a long time to come to veganism, and I try my best to practice acceptance.  Thanksgiving is a tough holiday for me especially because I absolutely adore turkeys.  I got a chance to hang out with a few at Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary and was amazed and impressed by their personalities and gentleness.”

Any other comments you or words of wisdom you would like to add?  “We also have two vegan dogs, as well an occassional foster dog who all seem very happy and healthy.”

I can totally relate to Nicole’s sentiments about Thanksgiving.  Over the course of this year, I have become very close with a turkey at WFAS named Beatrice… I am not looking forward to the holiday this year, particularly because I know how awesome these creatures are.  However, I am looking forward to celebrating them at the annual ThanksLiving celebration at WFAS!  And that is what is important to me.  Tickets go on sale this weekend and they sell out like hotcakes! 

Vegan Like Me No. 7

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Vegan Like Me aims to profile fellow vegans, from all walks of life from everywhere in the world!  We’ve all been beginners and I think its important for folks to hear people’s stories in order to motivate themselves to keep going. This feature is intended to do just that.  If you are vegan and would like to participate, get in touch with me and I’ll be sure to send our questionnaire along to you.

Name:  Sabrina E.

Sabrina, vegan for 9 years

Where do you live?  Brooklyn, NY

How long have you been vegan?  9 years

What inspired you to take on a plant-based (vegan/vegetarian) diet?   When I was 12 or so, I went on a family trip to a bed and breakfast/farm in Amish country. I brought along some books for the car ride, and somehow checked out a book from the library called something like 100 Ways Kids Can Save The Earth, published by PETA. Up until that point, I had never thought about how my everyday actions affect animals. I became vegetarian then, and became vegan several years later.

For me, it’s a sacrifice that’s easy to make. I don’t think all vegan foods taste as delicious as their non-vegan counterparts. Boston cream donuts are delicious, and yes, I miss them. However, I think of veganism as something I consciously do everyday that causes less suffering in the world. It’s not a great sacrifice, and sometimes I hardly think about it. I like that I’m healthy and getting the nutrients I need without contributing to the suffering of animals.

What do you love most about being vegan?  It may seem petty, but I love being able to eat whatever I want and I don’t have to worry about going on a diet. Almost everything I eat is healthy, and being vegan I’m able to eat as much as I want!

I also feel that the world of foods vegans can eat is much smaller than most people’s options, so it encourages us to think creatively. I’m always looking for new ingredients, new textures, and perusing supermarkets far and wide trying to decipher labels. It’s fun to keep looking for new things that you haven’t tried, and I’m not sure if I would be on so much of a scavenger hunt all the time if I wasn’t vegan.

What three items do you always have in your pantry?  Nutritional yeast, dark chocolate, Earth Balance (vegan butter)

What is your favorite vegan comfort food?  Peanut Butter Bomb cake from Vegan Treats.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about taking on a plant-based (vegan) diet?  Have fun with food, get inspired by blogs and cookbooks, try new things, and don’t be too hard on yourself if you accidentally eat something with a wrong ingredient. Stay rooted in the reasons to become vegan, and the temptations will go away. I now think of my veganism as something like a dietary restriction. For example, I can recognize when non-vegan foods look delicious but I’ve trained myself to avoid them as if I were allergic. When it becomes clear which foods you can and can’t eat, it becomes much easier to feel comfortable and get excited about being vegan.

Do you find anything difficult about being vegan?  I’ve had to switch to being vegetarian when living abroad in South Korea and Morocco. If you don’t speak the language and can’t read it, it’s pretty tough to stay vegan. Additionally, going over for dinner at someone’s house (whether in the US or abroad) can be challenging if they’re not used to veganism. I try to bring my own food whenever possible, or sometimes I try to appreciate the host’s graciousness and pick around or give certain foods the benefit of the doubt (ie- this could maybe be made with oil instead of butter?)… Regardless, it can be a challenge when you’re out of your comfort zone and don’t have access to a health food store.

See!  Sabrina knows the delight of Vegan Treats, too!  Thanks so much for playing, Sabrina.

Vegan Like Me No. 5

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Vegan Like Me aims to profile fellow vegans, from all walks of life from everywhere in the world!  We’ve all been beginners and I think its important for folks to hear people’s stories in order to motivate themselves to keep going. This feature is intended to do just that.  If you are vegan and would like to participate, get in touch with me and I’ll be sure to send our questionnaire along to you.

Name:  Jade

Where do you live?  New Jersey

How long have you been vegan?  15 Years

What inspired you to take on a plant-based (vegan/vegetarian) diet?   An interest in what is in my food and where my food comes from began at a young age. That curiosity coupled with a love for animals an increasing amount of knowledge regarding the treatment of animals in the food industry as well as the health benefits have led me to become a vegan. Growing up I went from eating pretty well as a kid with a father who was a chef of Chinese cuisine to suddenly having to eat a lot of fast food and cheap junk foods from the grocery store when my parents split. The lack of fresh produce in my household from age 6 and up definitely made me want those things in my diet so much more than a lot of kids I’m sure. I craved it!

What do you love most about being vegan?  I love that it makes me feel like I’m doing something good for myself, my family and the planet. Compassion is something we are born with, but as time goes by we start to let it slip out of different aspects of our lives such as with fashion, food, etc. Ultimately, you can choose where you put your money and it is an easy way to actively do something good.

What three items do you always have in your pantry?  Almond Milk, Nutritional Yeast, Dulse Flakes (seaweed flakes).

What is your favorite vegan comfort food?  My own personal breakfast specialty… vegan chocolate chip pancakes.

What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about taking on a plant-based (vegan) diet?  Go for it!! It is so much easier these days then when I was 15! I had help when I was younger from friends and I recommend making sure you have some support when you do it, but definitely keep treats and snacks with you at all times to help you transition. You will have a much easier time going vegan if you are always ready to replace sweets and meals at social functions!

Do you find anything difficult about being vegan?  When people tease you for being “different” at family gatherings or in school. I don’t really have that problem anymore, but I know a lot of people who do and it makes me sad… as long as you’re not judging others at those gatherings – people should just be supportive of your beliefs if they love you! It is a misconception that vegans “miss out” on things as well and that is a huge pet peeve. Eat a yummy cupcake for 5 minutes that possibly had something to do with an animal living a miserable life? Yes, chickens who lay eggs that are probably in that cupcake were probably miserable packed in a cage where they got pooped on and pecked at, etc. No thanks, I can have a yummy vegan cupcake when I get home… I can seriously wait like an hour… what is the big deal about this…lol. I also get the argument for free range eggs and more humane animal sourced foods and I support people who make an effort to source that way, but if it is me I’d rather opt for plant-based foods since, in my opinion, it is the best healthfully, ethically and of course just as yummy!

Any other comments you or words of wisdom you would like to add?  I occasionally make vegan bento boxes for my son who is 7 years old that you can check out here: http://mumbentobot.tumblr.com.  Also, I’m an illustrator so you can check out my Etsy shop at http://mumbot.etsy.com if you’d like!  Good luck!

Thank you so much, Jade!