Mac And Cheese With Asparagus And Peas Recipes

AMAZING VEGAN MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta. Cook according to package directions. If using broccoli, stir it into the pot when just 2 to 3 more minutes remain. Drain, and transfer the contents to a large serving bowl.
• Meanwhile, in a medium-to-large saucepan, warm the oil over medium heat. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring often, until the onion is tender and turning translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add the grated potato, garlic, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, salt and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine, and cook, stirring constantly, for about 1 minute to enhance their flavors.
• Add the cashews and water, and stir to combine. Let the mixture come to a simmer. Continue simmering, stirring frequently and reducing heat as necessary to avoid a rapid boil, until the potatoes are completely tender and cooked through, about 5 to 8 minutes.
• Carefully pour the mixture into a blender. Add the nutritional yeast and 2 teaspoons vinegar. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth, about 2 minutes, stopping to scrape down the sides if necessary. If the mixture won't blend easily or if you would prefer a thinner consistency, add water in ¼ cup increments, blending after each one.
• Taste, and blend in additional salt until the sauce is utterly irresistible (I typically add at least another ½ teaspoon). If it needs a little more zip, add the remaining teaspoon of vinegar. Blend again.
• Pour the sauce into the bowl of pasta. Stir until well combined, and serve immediately. Leftovers keep well, chilled and covered, for 3 to 4 days. Gentle reheat, adding a tiny splash of water if necessary to loosen up the sauce.

MAC AND CHEESE AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season generously with salt. Cook the pasta according to the package directions. When you have 1 minute of cook time left, pour in the frozen peas. Drain and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a large high-sided 10-inch saute pan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk. Reduce to low heat, bring to a simmer and cook until it becomes a thin gravy, about 5 minutes. Add the cream cheese and break up until smooth. Add the white pepper and ground mustard. Remove from the heat, add the bourbon if using and whisk to combine until fully incorporated. Stir in the Cheddar and American cheeses and cook until all the cheese is melted, 2 to 4 minutes. Taste and add salt as needed.
• Add the cooked pasta and peas to the cheese sauce and stir to thoroughly combine. Taste again and salt and pepper as needed before serving.

SPRING PESTO PASTA WITH ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and add asparagus. Cook for 3 minutes, then remove with a slotted spoon and place in a bowl of ice water. Let cool, then drain.
• Bring the same pot of water back up to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 11 minutes, or until al dente. Then drain, reserving about 1/4 cup of cooking water.
• In a large bowl, combine pasta, asparagus, and basil pesto. Toss until pasta is evenly coated with pesto. If the sauce is too thick, begin pouring in some reserved pasta water (about 2 tablespoons at a time) until the sauce reaches desired consistency. Add chives, lemon zest, and mozzarella, and stir until just combined.
• Divide pasta into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese. If eating immediately, serve hot. You can also serve it cold or at room temperature as a delicious vegetarian pasta salad.

MAC AND CHEESE WITH ASPARAGUS AND PEAS

Steps:

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the bacon in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat, stirring, until crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a paper towel-lined plate.
• Add the scallions to the Dutch oven (reserve 1 tablespoon of the dark scallion greens for topping). Cook over medium heat until softened, about 1 minute. Add the flour and whisk until toasted, 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the milk. Whisk in the mustard powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer, whisking occasionally, until the sauce is thickened and smooth, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook as the label directs for al dente, adding the asparagus to the pot in the last minute of cooking. Drain, reserving 1 cup cooking water.
• Whisk the cream cheese into the sauce until smooth. Reduce the heat to low and add the Parmesan and Jack cheese, a little at a time, until fully melted. Remove from the heat if the pasta is not done yet.
• Stir the pasta, asparagus and peas into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper. Thin with the reserved cooking water, if needed (the sauce will thicken as it sits). Divide among bowls. Top with the bacon and reserved scallion greens.