Vegan Broccoli Mac n’ Cheese with Spicy Tofu

Introducing vegan comfort food at it’s finest!  This delicious mac n’ “cheese” sauce tastes deliciously authentic.  Paired with steamed broccoli and spicy tofu steaks, it is simply irresistible.

Ingredients (serves 2-3):

1. extra firm, low-fat tofu
2. olive oil
3. paprika and cayenne pepper to taste
4. 2 cups whole wheat, protein-rich pasta
5. two heads of broccoli, cut into florets
6. 1 scoop vegan margarine
7. ¼ cup all purpose flour
8. 2.5 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
9. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
10. 2 tablespoons Miso
11. 1 tablespoon tomato paste
12. 1 and ¼ cup soy milk
13. 1/3 cup nutritional yeast
14. salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Using one element of the stove, cook the pasta, strain it, and place it in a baking dish.
2. On another element, steam the broccoli.  When the broccoli is tender, add it to the baking dish with the pasta.
3. Preheat the oven to 450°F.  In a large saucepan, melt the vegan margarine on medium heat.  Once melted, add in the flower and whisk vigorously to make it into a paste.  Add water if the mixture is too thick, and whisk to a good consistency.
4. To this paste, add in the soy sauce, lemon juice, miso, and tomato paste, and continue whisking to incorporate all the ingredients.
5. Slowly pour in the soy milk to the mixture, and whisk until smooth. Add the nutritional yeast and mix well.
6. Continue cooking this mixture until it thickens to the desired consistency, whisking often.
7. Toss the pasta and broccoli with the cheese sauce, top with vegan Parmesan if desired, and bake for 25 minutes or until browned on top.
8. While this bakes, cook tofu steaks in some olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.   Sprinkle paprika and cayenne pepper over top to coat, and repeat for the other side.  Cook for several minutes on each side until the tofu is firm and a crispy yellow-brown colour.  Et voila –serve with a side salad or on its own!