Plant Based Cooking Archives - Journey With Healthy Me

I tried this recipe based on the photo that accompanied it! Offered on Anthony William’s website and Facebook page this healthy version of mac & cheese appealed to me. Comfort food provides just that…comfort. However, most comfort food is packed with ingredients such as dairy products, gluten and added sugar that are unhealthy for the body. What an ideal recipe for me that combines healthy ingredients to create an upgrade on an old favorite.

Here is the simple recipe, from Anthony William:

This was such a warm and satisfying meal! I have used cashews often as the base for sauces and dressings and you really don’t taste the nutty flavor. I am amazed everytime, by how creamy and yummy the sauce or dressing is, using cashews. This blend was so tasty that I think it would make an excellent dressing or dip for veggies.

Does this dish taste exactly like regular macaroni and cheese? No, it does not have a traditional cheesy flavor. Does it taste great? Yes! The dish is creamy and hearty and makes an ample amount, providing leftovers for another meal. I used brown rice pasta, which is gluten free. (Pictured below, except for this recipe I used elbow macaroni.) And I sprinkled paprika on top after the casserole baked.

I love good food that is in turn, good for me. When I say that I follow a plant based lifestyle, people assume I only eat salads! Not true. In fact, I rarely eat a lettuce salad. I savor a wide variety of dishes and foods, that all happen to be plant based.

I firmly believe that nothing tastes as good as healthy feels. That belief enables me to pass up foods that I used to eat that contributed to my poor health and my aches and pains. How wonderful it is to discover that eating healthy doesn’t mean I sacrifice on taste and satisfaction. The broccoli and macaroni bake will become a new favorite!

Before switching to a plant based lifestyle, I loved eating sushi. Granted, I preferred California Rolls, which were primarily veggie based, however I also enjoyed sushi with fish, crab or shrimp. I have saved several vegan sushi and nori roll recipes on Pinterest. When I found vegan, non GMO sushi rice and nori wraps at Sprouts in Broken Arrow, OK, I purchased them so I could make my own healthy rolls.

I felt inspired to try this first today, making my own nori rolls for lunch.

I prepared the sushi rice according to the package directions. While the rice cooked, I sliced several veggies…celery, carrots and green pepper…into thin strips. I cut up an avocado as well. That’s the beauty of creating my own nori rolls. I can use whatever vegetables or fruits that I have on hand.

As the timer counted down on the sushi rice, I made the spicy tahini sauce, adapting a recipe I found on Pinterest.

In a blender, I combined 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon joice, 1 tablespoon mashed chickpeas (from a can), 1 tablespoon tahini (purchase at health food store or find in international aisle of larger grocery stores), 1 garlic clove, minced, 2 dates, and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper. I slowly added 2 teaspoons of water as the ingredients blended, to create a smooth sauce.

The tahini sauce was so delicious! It would make a great salad dressing or dipping sauce for veggies.

I covered a nori wrap with a thin layer of sushi rice. Near one end, I arranged the slices of veggies and avocado and drizzled on the spicy tahini sauce. After sprinkling with sea salt and coarse black pepper, I carefully rolled up the wrap, keeping everything inside!

These rolls were not difficult to make, however I need to cut back slightly on the amount of veggies that I used as filler. They turned out great, if a bit messy, and the taste was so satisfying!

I am connected with an amazing and supportive group of people on Instagram who are improving their health and well being by way of wholesome, nutrient rich foods. Many are healing from inflammation and diseases. Some have chosen a vegan or plant based lifestyle for their health and also for the health of the planet.

Daily I am inspired by their pictures of colorful, healthy meals. One Instagram friend, who goes by the name of Geoff the Vegan Dad, posts his daily lunches. More than meals, Geoff’s creations are works of art. I appreciate how beautiful his lunches are and I learn a lot about preparing nutritious meals as I follow his journey.

He has fun, creating a different lunch from scratch each day and sharing the results. I realized that’s so important, to have fun creating in the kitchen. It is playing really, quite literally playing with food, while experimenting with flavors and seasonings.

I played today. And then I savored.

Category: Plant Based Cooking

Healthy Broccoli & Macaroni Bake

Nori Rolls with Spicy Tahini Sauce