It's clear with the 80 degree weather, that BBQ season is definitely here. The time for paper plates, ice cold drinks, spending time with family and friends, and eating your weight in delicious foods at every outdoor BBQ you can find. In addition to those smoky and meaty delights like vegan BBQ seitan brisket, you need those tasty sides to make your ideal spring munchies complete. Here's one to get you started. This smoky and spicy vegan mac and cheese will make your tongue slap your brain! Try it out and let me know what you think!
Ingredients
2 cups rotini pasta
1/2 cup raw cashews
2 cups vegetable broth
1/2 tbsp. smoked paprika
1 tsp. smokehouse black pepper
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1 tsp. sea salt
1 tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp. hot sauce
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 1/2 tbsp. nutritional yeast
1 tsp. jalapeno juice
1/4 cup unsweet, regular almond milk
2/3 cup grilled yellow and red peppers (chopped)
2 tbsp. vegan cream cheese
Directions:
In a small-medium sized pot, add the vegetable broth and cashews. Simmer on medium-high heat for 30 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for another 20-30 minutes, or until the cashews are soft. The broth will have absorbed quite a bit into the cashews with some liquid left. Don't drain! Set aside.
While the cashews are simmering, boil about 6 cups of water in a medium sized pot with a dash of olive oil. Add the pasta and cook al dente. Drain and set aside.
In a blender or food processor; add the cashews and broth, paprika, pepper, cayenne pepper, sea salt, apple cider vinegar, hot sauce, garlic powder, nutritional yeast, jalapeno juice, almond milk, peppers and cream cheese. Pulse until smooth. Add more almond milk in additional amounts of 1/4 cup if the mixture is too thick for your liking.
Add cheese mixture to pot with pasta and toss until well combined. Serve fresh and warm. If you wanted some tasty baked mac and cheese, place the mac & cheese mixture in an oven safe pan. Top with panko breadcrumbs and bake for 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees F, or until panko is golden brown.
Note: I recommend serving this fresh. Mixture is not great as a leftover!
I hope you all did something fun this Sunday!