Cauliflower alfredo sauce over fettuccine

September 14, 2013 at 10:00 am | Posted in VeganMoFo | Leave a comment
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Photo by Bethany Fehlinger

Photo by Bethany Fehlinger

I have been dying for a “real” vegan alfredo sauce. It is hard to have that, though, because the level of creaminess, texture and flavor can be hard to mimic at times.

The Detoxinista had a clever idea: Use cauliflower as the base. This decreases the calories and gets in the veggies.

I followed her recipe, except I used garlic powder instead of garlic cloves. I kept the teaspoon of oil in there.

Now I realize why they add cauliflower to mashed potatoes to make that dish healthier.

It was still a bit grainy and not as smooth as real alfredo sauce. There also was a lack of flavor except for the garlic and the salt I added (I followed her advice and made sure to add extra salt if I was adding it to pasta.)

160x220_g3Batman, who hates cauliflower, enjoyed the dish. It isn’t really something I want to mimic again in order to get the perfect alfredo, but it is a great, quick recipe for a weeknight meal that is lower in calories.

Try the recipe yourself and let me know what you think!

Throwback Thursday: vegan SpaghettiOs

September 5, 2013 at 10:00 am | Posted in recipe, Throwback Thursday, VeganMoFo | Leave a comment
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Photo by Bethany Fehlinger

Photo by Bethany Fehlinger

About a month ago, I decided I wanted to make some comfort food for my Meatout Mondays blog post at No Sweat, York.

When I was a little girl, I LOVED SpaghettiOs. A big bowl of SpaghettiOs brings back memories of days spent with the Nana and Pop, where I watched Disney Channel (we didn’t have it at home) and play Chinese checkers.

Being vegan, I don’t get SpaghettiOs that often anymore, unless I figure out a way to make them myself. Well, I did! Jamieson even liked the recipe, saying the dish tasted authentic. I adapted this recipe by Nikki at Seeded at the Table.

Which of you vegans are hankering for SpaghettiOs? I know I am!

I thought this dish was super easy to make, about 30 minutes or so. Make it for dinner and take leftovers for lunch tomorrow. I know your coworkers will be jealous of your homemade and healthier dish than the canned version of youth.

Homemade vegan SpaghettiOs
Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients:

  •  8 ounces ditalini pasta (or other small pasta)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1/2 tablespoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
  • 15-ounce can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar
  • 4 tablespoons Earth Balance
  • 1/4 cup soy milk (or other nut milk)
  • 1 cup shredded Daiya vegan cheddar cheese

Recipe:

  1.  Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water, to al dente (about 10 minutes).
  2. Drain and place pasta back into large pot.
  3. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the garlic powder and red pepper flakes and cook until just fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  4. Stir in the tomato sauce, water, tomato paste, salt, pepper, sugar and vegan butter. Heat, while stirring, until the butter is melted.
  5. Slowly stir in the soy milk, then turn the heat to low. Simmer at low heat for 10 minutes.
  6. Stir the shredded vegan cheese into the soup until melted.
  7. Pour as much of the tomato sauce into the pasta as desired; stir to combine. You will have a little left over, which can be pour on individual servings if eater desires.

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