- Course: Side Dish
The best ever vegan macaroni and cheese is made with almonds that are high in vitamins, minerals, protein, and fiber, which may provide a variety of health benefits. A handful of almonds (about 1 ounce) provides one-eighth of a person’s daily protein requirements. Almonds can be eaten raw or toasted as a snack, or they can be used in sweet or savory meals. They’re also available in flour, oil, butter, and almond milk, sliced, flaked, and slivered. Almonds are commonly referred to as nuts, but they are actually seeds rather than true nuts. Almond trees may have been one of the first trees grown by humans. Archaeologists in Jordan discovered evidence of domesticated almond trees reaching back 5,000 years.
Cashews are kidney-shaped seeds derived from the cashew tree, a tropical tree native to Brazil that is currently grown in a variety of warm areas across the world. While “raw” cashews are widely available, they are not safe to eat because they contain urushiol, a chemical found in poison ivy. Urushiol is poisonous, and some people may experience a skin reaction if they come into touch with it. The poisonous liquid is removed from cashew kernels during processing, and the resulting product is advertised as “raw.” Cashews, while usually referred to as tree nuts and nutritionally similar to them, are actually seeds. They’re high in nutrients and plant components, and they’re simple to include in a variety of recipes.
To make the cheese for the Macaroni, add the first 10 ingredients to the Blender. Make certain to blend on high until smooth
TIP
I usually add my nuts first to the blender to ensure they blend.
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1/3 cup Pimento or Red Bell Pepper
- 2 tbsp Sesame seeds or 2 T Tahini
- 1 tbsp Lemon juice
- 1/2 cup Nutritional Yeast Flakes
- 1/2 cup Cashew or Almond
- 1 clove Garlic
- 1 Medium Onion, peeled and cut in 4 wedges
Here are the Ingredients for the Macaroni and Cheese
- 1 16 oz box Macaroni shells, boiled & drained
- 1 Cup Coconut milk
- 2 T Ketchup
- 2 T Oil or Plant Based Margarine
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne
- 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
- 2 T Flour
- Salt & Pepper to Taste
- Top with Paprika
- For: 10
- Preparation: 30 min
- Cooking: 45 min
- Ready in: 1 h 15 min
Instructions
- 1. Put the rinsed almonds or cashews in a food processor or high-powered blender with lemon juice, salt, yeast flakes, 1 clove of garlic, red bell pepper, and fresh onions, chopped.
- 2. Blend until smooth
- 3. Using the same pot used for boiling the macaroni, mix all ingredients together over a low fire on the stove for a few minutes.
- 4. POUR into greased casserole dish. BAKE at 350°F for 45 minutes. Simply delicious!
- pour only half of the water out after boiling the macaroni. The water has a flavor and you can use less milk this way. Make sure while boiling pasta, to add salt.
Notes
Why are Almonds healthier?
- Almonds are a popular tree nut. Almonds are a good source of monounsaturated fats, fiber, protein, and other nutrients.
- Almonds are abundant in antioxidants, which protect cells from oxidative damage, which is a primary cause of aging and disease.
- Almonds are one of the best sources of vitamin E on the planet. Getting enough vitamin E from the diet has been linked to a variety of health advantages.
- Magnesium is abundant in almonds, which is a nutrient that many people need. A high magnesium diet may help those with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes.
- Low magnesium levels are significantly connected to high blood pressure, implying that almonds can aid blood pressure control.
- One or two handfuls of almonds per day can result in small decreases in “bad” LDL cholesterol, thereby lowering heart disease risk.
- Oxidation of “bad” LDL cholesterol is a critical step in the development of heart disease. Almonds have been demonstrated to lower oxidized LDL cholesterol levels considerably.
What is the difference between roasted cashews and raw cashews?
Cashews are higher in iron when raw than when roasted. Raw cashews have 1.9 milligrams of iron per ounce, while roasted cashews have 1.7 milligrams. Raw cashews have a higher selenium content than roasted cashews. An ounce of raw cashews has 5.6 micrograms of selenium, 2.2 micrograms higher than an ounce of roasted cashews. The raw cashew’s mild flavor makes it a more adaptable cooking component. Because the oils roast cashews cause them to go rancid faster, raw cashews have a longer shelf life than roasted cashews.
Some chefs prefer to use roasted cashews when they want to prevent the cashew flavor from being overpowered by other ingredients. And snackers with certain tastes and cravings will choose roasted cashews over raw cashews. And roasted cashews – whether roasted at home or prior to purchasing – have a higher concentration of antioxidants – compounds derived from plants – which cancel the effects of free radicals in the body.
Bottom Line
Almonds contain many healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium, and vitamin E. The health benefits of almonds include lower blood sugar levels, reduced blood pressure, and lower cholesterol levels. They can also reduce hunger and promote weight loss. All things considered, almonds are as close to perfect as a food can get.
Fiber, protein, and healthy fats abound in cashews. They also include a range of vitamins, minerals, and essential plant chemicals that safeguard your health. Cashews, like nuts, may help with weight loss, blood sugar regulation, and heart health. Cashews, on the other hand, have received less research than other nuts. However, there are a few drawbacks to increasing your cashew intake. Always choose unsalted dry-roasted or unroasted versions when possible.
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