Spork-Fed Macaroni and Cheese Recipe (GIVEAWAY)

 
Have you heard of the recipe book, Spork-Fed, written by Jenny Engel & Heather Goldberg?  I insist you check it out.  Jenny and Heather are sisters who have created a book based on "super fun and flavorful vegan recipes."  They are also the creators of Spork Foods (cooking classes and more!), based in Los Angeles.
 
I was given the wonderful opportunity to test out their recipes and blog about my thoughts.  Their recipe book is inspiring and quite creative.  My favorite parts are at the ends of each recipe.  They add in their thoughts, which they call The Sporkie Scoop.  This includes "For Your Smarts" and "For Your Parts" and it is typically fun facts about an ingredient as well as nutritional facts.  They let you know why an ingredient is included and/or why it is super healthy for you...or some other interesting info tidbit. 
 
I decided to try out a couple basic recipes.  Their take on mac-n-cheese and chocolate chip cookies (to be posted next!).

Creamy Baked Macaroni and Cheese with a Spelt Bread Crumb Topping (Recipe reprinted below with permission.)
I followed the recipe exactly as below, but omitted the bread crumbs.

6-8 c water for boiling, salted
12 oz quinoa or spelt elbow macaroni
Sauce Ingredients
1/3 c non-dairy butter
1/3 c unbleached all-purpose flour
2-1/2 c unsweetened almond or soy milk
2/3 c nutritional yeast flakes
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp finely ground black pepper
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 TB light miso paste
1/4 c fresh lemon juice
2 tsp mustard, stone ground or German

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Bring salted water to a boil in a large (6-quart) pot.  Add macaroni and cook as described on package, about 7-9 minutes.

For the sauce: Heat a medium (4-quart) pot over medium heat.  Add butter and flour.  Whisk together to form a paste, creating a roux.  Add almond or soy milk, nutritional yeast, sea salt, black pepper, garlic, miso, lemon juice and mustard.  Cook for about 7 minutes, stirring constantly, until sauce is thick and creamy.

Once macaroni is finished cooking, drain and add to pot with sauce.  Mix thoroughly to coat.  Place mixture in a greased 8x8 baking dish, or 6 personal ramekins or cocottes, and top with homemade bread crumbs.

Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until bubbles appear in center of dish.  Serve warm from the oven.

*I recommend boiling the pasta ahead of time and setting aside. 
*I also recommend measuring and preparing the ingredients for the sauce before making it.  Because once you get cooking, you are throwing them in all at the same time.  Saves time and stress.

Spelt Bread Crumbs

2 slices whole wheat bread, roughly chopped
2 tsp neutral tasting high-heat oil
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp finely ground black pepper
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp agave nectar
1 tsp fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Place bread on a baking sheet.  Drizzle with oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, sea salt, black pepper, oregano, agave and lemon juice.  Toss to coat and bake for about 7-9 minutes or until crisp.

Pulse bread mixture in a food processor until bread crumb consistency is reached, and set aside.


I really enjoyed this meal.  Unfortunately, my children were less than thrilled.  I think the flavor was a bit overpowering plus I called it macaroni and cheese and they were expecting the real thing.  This has the consistency and creaminess of a traditional macaroni and cheese, but the flavor is much different.  I will make it again, but put aside a portion of plain macaroni for my children.


And now it's...
GIVEAWAY TIME!
I am excited to present my first ever giveaway.  Wait to you hear what YOU will receive if you WIN!
 
 

• a copy of Spork-Fed
• 5 coupons for free Nasoya products
• a pair of Tofu-U shorts (Extra Firm printed on the backside - how great is that?!)

Here's what YOU need to do to enter.

Please leave a SEPARATE comment below for each entry.
 
Mandatory:

• Tell me your favorite Fall-themed comfort food.

Additional entries (optional):

1. Like me on Facebook: All-American Vegetarian
2. Like Nasoya on Facebook
3. Like Spork Foods on Facebook
4. If you Tweet (I don't) and you can find Nasoya or Spork Foods and follow them, those are additional entries.

 
Giveaway will run until Saturday, September 15, 2012 at 11:59 Eastern Standard Time.One winner only. Open to US residents only.
While I did receive the above products for free, I was not compensated in ANY way for this review.

Good luck!