Monday, December 01, 2008

comforty gluten-free vegan mac and cheeze.

Gluten Free Mac and Cheeze with Broccoli

Despite a fondness for vegetables and garlic, I had a embarrassingly bland appetite growing up. I sidestepped the constant Italian meals of my childhood with a hatred of marinara sauce and ate a ton of noodles with butter and cheese. I know that American children aren't known for their palates, but I was somehow even wary of traditional and boxed macaroni and cheese! Let's blame the orange color and the presence of fancier cheeses in my house.

The infamous blue box wasn't a part of my diet until college. Once I learned the wonder of mac and cheese, I became a devotee, and remain so as a vegan. I'll even publicly mention my love for the (still bland) convenient 123s and Chreese of my later college years, that I still pick up from time to time. On Thanksgiving, I made for the second time a gluten free version of the lower fat adaptation of the acclaimed New Farm Mac and Cheeze I posted last year here.

I went to a small and predominately gluten-free dinner at a friend's house for Tday and was worried the dish might seem boring, but it went over well and I thought it looked beautiful - you know, for mac and cheeze.

Pre-baked

I've been sick of wheat pasta for a while now, and really dig how ridged rice pasta can stand up in this baked dish. I legitimately find myself preferring it with rice pasta. I never saw that day coming over a year ago. It was a really easy dish to make gluten free - it doesn't quite warrant a new post with that simplicity, but for clicking's sake, I'll post it here:



In other vegan comforty news, Vitasoy Peppermint Chocolate Soymilk has competition. Or a friend - on store shelves.

I tried the new Westsoy version at my friend's house on Thanksgiving and knew I'd have to get some for myself soon - thank you People's Coop for having it for $1.99!
It's even sweeter and peppermint-y than the Vitasoy I stashed all summer. It's at least temporaily my new favorite.

Does anyone else enjoy saying "glutey free"?

25 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh man, I could really go for some mac and cheese right now!

Mmm, chocolate and peppemint are essential for the holidays!!!

Anonymous said...

The Vitasoy peppermint is one of my all-time favorite drinks--so glad to see another contender!

And the mac and cheese looks great. I've found that rice pasta is often better than "regular" (maybe because it's glutey-free?) ;)

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

GLUTEN-FREE!!!!!!!

Chelsea said...

That looks pretty tasty! I'll have to try rice noodles again; I bought some a few years ago and I think just ate them with marinara sauce. I remember not liking them very much.

And awesome that there are more options in the holiday season mylks! I was really excited to see the Ricedream Nog that's out - I got some at FF and have only put it in my coffee so far (which was yummy!).

Meghan said...

Well this is ironic, I've been wanting to make the New Farm recipe for a while now, and I made it tonight for dinner and then saw this post! I used whole wheat pasta though, not rice noodles. Tasty.
I'll definitely be trying out the peppermint beverage...I'm also really curious about trying out the Silk Nog I've been seeing at the store.

KitteeBee said...

Jess!
Thanks so much for posting the recipe for the GF mac n cheeze. I am doing the GF thing these days, and I am really stoked that you have already converted this recipe (one of my faves)and like it so much. I've never tried the bobs red mill, would you say you used about half and half with the chickpea flour? I might try making this with freshly ground rolled oats...

xo
kittee

x said...

Mmmm, gluten-free goodness! I might try this MacNCheese, see if I like it.

I love Orgran's gf range of pastas.

Unknown said...

I gotta say, Tinkyada are the best rice noodles around. The BEST!

Anonymous said...

wooo!! thanks for posting this so i can make it. though, if you'd still like to come over and make it for me i'd be fine with that too ;)

Melisser; the Urban Housewife said...

Minty Westsoy?! Wowzers!
Also, I want to make this Mac!

Sal - AlienOnToast said...

that looks really really good - proper comfort food.

JENNA said...

It is beautiful.

I too publicly admit to my love of 123's and Chreese, Shells and Chreese..etc..etc..Now that Reno loves them too I get to eat them more often!

jessy said...

that's gotta be the prettiest mac 'n cheeze i've ever seen! totally going to try your recipe out - thanks, Jess! cheezy sauced pasta, indeed! mmmmmmmmmmmm! i have yet to try rice pasta - and i think i need to give it a go! i must be brave! very brave! ahahahaaaa! you've totally got me craving mac 'n cheeze now! yay!

Chelsea said...

I love that recipe! It's great how you made it gluten free.

Jen said...

i've been disappointed with my vegan mac n' cheese results. looking at that tasty dish has convinced me to give it another try.

as for cocoa, i'm kind of a cocoa snot and would rather make it myself. it's nice to know that it does come pre-made in a pinch. yay for convenience foods!

jess (of Get Sconed!) said...

Hey Kittee!

Yes, I used about half of the gluten free mix and half chickpea flour. the mix actually has chickpea flour in it, too.

chickpea mac!

aTxVegn said...

Now this glutey free version will be my new favorite mac n cheese recipe. I like to say glutey free and I also like to say glutey full.

Adriana said...

I cup of nutritional yeast? I can only take it in small doses... rather pungent... But this looks so irresistible I may have to try it.

Cassidy said...

Oh yum yum yum. I am totally making this. :)

Anonymous said...

that mac and cheese look insanely good!!! i can't get enough of the stuff. i wish i had more nooch in the house because i would make some!

Anonymous said...

I'll have to try that GF pasta. I haven't found one yet that I've liked. Most recently I bought the GF pasta in the bulk section at New Seasons and it was not very good. Must head to Tj's, especially since I"m out of wine.

bazu said...

that is one gorgeous mac & cheese! I love trader joe's rice pasta.

Jade said...

I have to tell you...I made this mac and cheese last night (but not gluten free) and it was AMAZING! My three year old daughter absolutely cleaned her plate. I am eagerly awaiting leftovers today. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

This sounds great - but how much water do you add to the sauce? The recipe doesn't say.

jess (of Get Sconed!) said...

The 3.5 cups of boiling water is for the sauce recipe : )