The Vegan Kids Kitchen: Mac and Cheeze!!!!

I have quite a few versions of this beloved favorite dish, but this one has become my favorite by far because you use very little butter/oil and no need for Daiya (which is by far the best vegan cheese you can buy, but it is a bit pricey). It is just a wholesome sauce that you can whip up in no time! This being said, I saw this recipe in VegNews and decided to make it a little less "holiday-ish"(no bread topping and way less oil/butter), which in turn makes it better for an everyday or week dish that your kids will eat up!! Oh and did I add they have no clue all those delicious veggies are what makes the sauce?!? The perfect side dish to any meal! This has been adapted from the VegNews version and is absolutely scrumptious:)

P.s. if you don't have a high speed blender to blend cashews, than soak overnight in cold water, drain, and they will blend fine in a normal blender, this way you won't get little pieces of cashews in sauce!!!

Mac and Cheeze Sauce

1 tablespoons earth balance(vegan margarine -this is optional too!!)

1/2 tsp no-chicken broth

1 cup red or yellow potatoes, peeled and chopped

1/2 cup carrots, peeled and chopped

1/3 cup onion, peeled and chopped

1 cup water

1/3 cup raw cashews

1/4 cup nutritional yeast

1 teaspoon Sea Salt (I use a pink himalayan salt at TJoes, amazing!)

A dash Bragg's Amino acids

1/4 teaspoon garlic, minced

1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1/8 teaspoon cayenne

1/4 teaspoon paprika

In a large pot, bring the water and salt to a boil. Add one box of pasta and cook until al dente. In a colander, drain pasta and rinse with cold water. Set aside.

In a saucepan, add potatoes, carrots, onion, and water, and bring to a boil. Cover the pan and simmer for 15 minutes, or until vegetables are very soft.

In a blender, process the cashews, salt, garlic, earth balance, mustard, lemon juice, black pepper, and cayenne. Add softened vegetables and cooking water to the blender and process until perfectly smooth.

In a large bowl, toss the cooked pasta and blended cheese sauce until completely coated. Serve hot and enjoy!