RFD baked macaroni and cashew cheese

delicious macaroni and cashew cheese to please the masses from real food daily. recipe here.

cheesy vegan lasagna

my family has a very italian taste in food. whenever there is a big event, my dad decides lasagna is the way to go. this cheesy vegan lasagna will surely show him that this lasagna (and not one covered in meat and cheese) is the way to go.

INGREDIENTS:
-tofu ricotta
-cheese sauce
-about 15 cooked lasagna noodles (i used whole wheat...othergood choices are jersulem artichoke and brown rice)
-your favorite marinara sauce (at least a jar's worth)
-vegan parmesan or mozzarella to sprinkle on top

tofu ricotta:
18 oz firm tofu
3 tbl nutritional yeast
1 tbl dried basil
1 tbl oregano
1 tbl garlic powder
salt and pepper
-crumble tofu with a fork
-mix in seasoning

cheese sauce
1 cup of water
1/4 cup roasted red peppers
1/4 cup raw almonds
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tbl tahini
3 tbl whole wheat flour
2 tbl corn starch (or arrowroot)
salt, garlic powder
-blend all ingredients together

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER:
-preheat oven to 350 degrees
-spray a 9x13 pan with cooking spray
-spread you marinara sauce
-cover with about 5 noodles, slightly overlapping each other
-cover with ricotta
-pour a thin layer of cheese sauce
-lay 5 more noodles, then ricotta, then cheese sauce
-lay down the last 5 noodles, and pour the remaining sauce
-sprinkle your parmesan or mozzarella over the sauce
-i added some black olives on top
-bake for 40 minutes covered, and 30 minutes uncovered



update:
i asked my family for critique. here is what they said:
brother: more vegan mozzarella, and maybe some soy crumbles or vegan sausage.
dad: fresh garlic and more spices. (i definitely agree, but my mom and brother are not fans of spicy foods)
me: i would have added layers of sliced vegetables like portabella mushrooms or zucchini
mom: make more of the same!

gnocchi and tomato sauce

did you know making gnocchi is super easy and fun? well it is. i made this gnocchi with whole wheat flour and butternut squash. you of course can make gnocchi with potatoes or sweet potatoes. 

recipe:

2 c flour

1 c cooked and mashed butternut squash, potato, or sweet potato.

-knead together and roll into long, thin ropes. 

-cut into about an inch rectangles and press into each with a fork. 
-add to boiling water, the gnocchi is done when they float to the top. 

-serve with your favorite sauce. 

easy tomato sauce:

1 28 oz can of whole peeled tomatoes

chopped garlic

2 tbl nutritional yeast (optional) 

dried basil, oregano, and red pepper flakes 

salt and pepper

i also added julie hasson's vegetarian italian sausage! 

sun-dried tomato basil fusilli

easy, simple and delicious!

for one:

1/2 c fusilli (i used brown rice pasta)

1 c cooked chickpeas (or maybe cannellini?)

two cloves of garlic

about 5 sun-dried tomatoes chopped up (i didn't use the ones in oil)

handful of basil

1 tsp olive oil

1 tsp lemon juice

some red pepper flakes

some salt

1. cook pasta according to package directions

2. saute garlic and sun-dried tomatoes (i do this in water, but you can saute in oil if you wish)

3. when sun-dried tomatoes and re-hydrated add the basil and chickpeas. 

4. when the basil is slightly wilted and chickpeas are warm, toss with pasta.

5. add lemon juice, olive oil and seasoning. 

yum!