Creamy, Delicious, Vegan Mac & Cheese

A creamy, delicious, vegan Mac & Cheese recipe that is sure to please all crowds. Instead of a sauce filled with cheese, flour and cream, this one is loaded with beta-carotene rich carrots, protein packed cashews and potassium filled potatoes...and yumminess!

Bring 3-4 cups of water to the boil in a pot. Add:

• 2 medium gold nugget potatoes peeled and chopped

Let boil for 2-3 minutes. Add to boiling water:

• 2 peeled and roughly chopped large carrots

Let boil for 2 more minutes. Add to boiling water:

• 1/3 medium red onion

Boil until all veggies are cooked and soft, but not falling apart in the water. Drain veggies and RESERVE water. Not only does that water hold lots of flavour (simular to a weak veggie stock), it is also loaded with nutrients from the cooking veggies.

Boil fresh water and cook desired noodles following the instructions on the package (as cooking instructions vary between size and types of pasta. Be sure to drain pasta as soon as noodles are al dente.

In the blender or food processor add:

• 1 cup raw unsalted cashew nuts
• 2 cloves crushed/minced garlic
• cooked veggies
  
• 1/2 tsp mustard powder
• 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  
• 1/4 tsp paprika
  
• salt and pepper to taste

Blend on medium/low adding reserved veggie water until you reach desired constancy (approx 2 cups). Once all ingredients are combined, blend on medium/high for 2 minutes until sauce is really smooth and creamy. Pour sauce over drained noodles in pot and heat on low.

Plate and garnish with any of the following:

• nutritional yeast (lends a nice cheesy taste with a powerful nutritional punch)
• dash of paprika
• finely chopped fresh chives

*If you are not a practicing vegan, and are choosing an option like this solely looking for a healthier option than grandma's traditional Mac & Cheese, you could always place the mixed pasta and sauce in an oven proof dish, sprinkle with a little Parmesan cheese and bake at 375 degrees C uncovered until the cheese is lightly browned...no one will ever know it's carrots and cashews instead of cheese on the inside! #sneakymomtrick

Enjoy!