Roasted Red Pepper and Sundried Tomato Linguini

This didn't photograph too well and I only took one picture because it smelled SO good that I didn't feel like taking a pretty one, I just wanted to eat it!

The garlic bread is from Eat, Drink and Be Vegan. You freeze the bread and then rub a clove of raw garlic on it and the PERFECT amount of garlic rubs off on the bread. How genius is that idea? Seriously.

To roast the pepper: preheat the oven to 500 degrees (you heard me) and then put the pepper(s) on a roast pan and roast it for about 30 minutes. Turn it once or twice, it is done when it's all burned and bubbly. IMMEDIATELY after you take it out of the oven seal the pan with tin foil. When it's cool peel off the skin and remove all the seeds and whoa-la, roasted peppers!

Here's what you need for the pasta dish (serves 4):

1 large red pepper, roasted and sliced
1/2 cup sundried tomatoes, lightly chopped
3 handfuls of spinach
1 tbsp red pepper flakes - less if you don't want it too spicy (optional)
1 can of italian stewed tomatoes
1 can of tomato sauce
salt and pepper
garlic powder
1 box of whole wheat linguini

Pour the can of stewed tomatoes into a sauce pan and break them apart with your fingers so they are in various sized chunks. Add in the tomato sauce, salt and pepper, garlic powder, sun dried tomatoes, red pepper and chili flakes (if using). Simmer for 30 minutes.

When the sauce is almost done simmering, cook your pasta according to the directions on the box. Strain and add back to the pot. Pour the sauce into the noodles and add the spinach. Mix everything together with tongs.

Serve with garlic toast.

This is my favourite pasta dish. The leftovers are soooo good too.

And on a fabulous little side note, check out my new sexy-ass broom. I just need a matching dustpan to go with it now. $10 at Homesense :)

Alfredo

Alongside the Daiya cheddar I ordered, I got two bags of the Italian variety as well. As a vegan you get tired of tomato sauce, or "pasta primavera" and just want a creamy thick pasta sauce like the old days. Today I had that desire and decided to make an alfredo recipe and boy did it taste fucking delicious! (yes, swear words must be used to describe the sheer tastiness of this recipe)

Make this. You won't regret it!

Ingredients (makes 2 servings - leftovers won't keep as the butter will separate):

1/2 cup soy creamer
1/2 cup soy milk
2 tbsp Earth Balance
1/2 tbsp flour
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
salt
pepper
PINCH of nutmeg
1 cup or so of Daiya Italian Blend cheese
Whole wheat linguine noodles for two servings
Veggies

To Make:

Melt the butter until it's bubbly, whisk in the flour for a minute. Add in the soy milks, garlic and spices. Bring up to a very low boil while constantly whisking. When it boils lower it to a simmer until it is nice and thickened. Remove from the heat when thick.

While you are making the sauce, cook the linguine according to the package. I used some frozen vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, carrot blend) and added them to the boiling water in the last 5 minutes which worked great and made less dishes.

Strain the veggie/pasta and return to the pot. Remove the garlic chunks from the sauce and mix into the pasta. Serve immediately.

YUM!!! Enjoy the recipe.

Daiya Mac and Cheese

I tried out my Daiya last night. It was amazing!!! I tried a bite of the cheddar variety just on it's own and it tasted almost identical to real cheddar.

I veganized a mac and cheese recipe. Look how CREAMY it is!!!!



Amazing, right?



Jason gorged his down and finished mine because I was full, he said it tasted like regular mac and cheese too.

Here's what I came up with:

3/4 soy creamer
3/4 cup soy milk
cayenne pepper
pepper
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 cup daiya cheddar cheese
3 tbsp Earth Balance
3 tbsp flour
2-3 cups dry pasta either shells or macaroni

Melt the butter and mix in the flour until nice and thick. Add in everything else but the pasta and cheese. Whisk over medium heat for about 10 minutes until it's bubbly and thick. When thickened, stir in the cheese until it's creamy and entirely melted. Meamwhile cook your pasta. When everything is done, mix the two together.

It took me like 15 minutes to make, and was great. Jason want's "snobby joes" tonight, but I want to try another thing with cheese haha. I might make some black bean enchiladas instead. Yum.

I'm off to eat my leftovers!