I created this recipe to couple with my video Natural Ways to Ease PMS. All of the whole food ingredients are helpful to you whenever you are feeling the period woes, but it's not just for that time of the month. Complex carbs and high fiber veggies make this a win for all! This recipe is a healthy take on a comforting dish that warms the soul and brings a smile to the table for everyone. I hope you enjoy!
INGREDIENTS
For Cheese Sauce
1/3 cup raw cashews (soaked & drained)
1 medium sweet potato (peeled & diced into small pieces)
2 medium carrots (peeled & diced into small pieces)
1/2 sweet onion (diced)
2 cloves garlic (peeled & chopped)
1/2 tsp dijon mustard
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1 cup unsweetened nut milk (I used homemade almond milk)
1 tbl chickpea miso
1 tbl lemon juice (fresh)
1 tsp salt
For the Rest
16 oz pasta of your choice (I used rice pasta shells)
12 oz broccoli (chopped small)
salt, pepper to taste
garnish with more nutritional yeast, or crushed red chili flakes
*if you want a more buttery taste, you can add 1 tlb vegan butter to step 4, but it is totally optional
1. Soak the cashews for about 1/2 an hour then drain. Fill two 6 quart pots with water and bring to a boil. Once at a boil, use one for the sweet potato and carrot. Bring it to a mild boil until the vegetables are almost tender (about 8 minutes). In the other pot cook pasta of your choice according to package directions. Once both are done according to your liking, drain and set aside.
2. You can now refill one of the pots with water and bring to boil again to cook broccoli at a boil for just 1 minute. Drain and then set aside.
3. In a Vitamix or high speed blender add all of the cheese sauce ingredients (along with the sweet potatoes and carrot you just boiled). Blend on high until smooth and creamy. Salt, pepper, and more nutritional yeast to taste if desired.
4. In a large pan add cooked pasta, broccoli, and cheese sauce. If everything is warm, no heat is required. If it needs to be heated up a bit, just combine and stir occasionally on a low heat being careful not to dry out the sauce, if you do dry it out, just add a touch more water or almond milk and stir. Garnish with more nutritional yeast, or crushed red chili flakes if desired. Serve immediately. This is best eaten on the same day, but you can store leftovers in the fridge in a glass container if need be. Serves 4.
Watch the corresponding video here:
