VeganMoFo 2012 - The Mac Attack

There was a phase where I decided to look more into macrobiotics because it sounded cool and healthy and fun. I delved into The Hip Chick’s Guide to Macrobiotics and found that … I am really not hip.

It’s a great book and I do recommend it for those interested in the macrobiotic movement. If anything, I did learn to chew my food more (seriously, I tended to gulp when I could) but on the whole it wasn’t for me.

This post is not about this book (which is good, but like I said, not totally my style… at least yet). This post, however, does touch a different macrobiotic book and the mac that all vegans seem to strive for.

The book: Blissful Bites by Christy Morgan

Why do you have it? The book got some pretty cool buzz, and I was reading up on macrobiotics at the time. I thought it would be groovy. I thought I could be hip. I took the plunge.

Well, why hadn’t you cooked from it yet? Another strange thing about me, I realize (especially since this isn’t the only book that suffered from this problem). I saw that the recipes were organized by season and decided it was too complicated. Really… I decided the recipes were too complicated only because the recipes were organized by season. I don’t know about you, but I need a minute to contemplate my crazy.

Did you have difficulty deciding on a recipe? I decided to limit myself to the season (Autumn), and this happened to be the 4th recipe in which, for many reasons, had to be the recipe. At the time, I didn’t even look at anything else.

What did you make? macro “mac and cheeze”. No brainer.

How did the cook go? The recipe is beyond easy. It reminded me of Oh She Glows Butternut Squash Mac ‘n Cheese, but only because of the butternut squash. The recipes are quite different from eachother.

Did you modify? Because we know you can’t help yourself. 1) I used a different method for the butternut squash cooking than listed in the recipe (blame Oh She Glows, but also blame me loving the smell of roasting vegetables. 2) I added whole wheat breadcrumbs on top. I’m surprised I didn’t break out the peas… but there you go.

How did the eat go? This was a pretty tasty dish! The butternut squash pureed nicely and the dish was super creamy and rich, but didn’t feel heavy. I’d have to say my only complaint would be the squash tasted very sweet, but I realize that may be because I roasted it, and likely it caramelized some… that makes sense, right?

And The Husband? He didn’t think it tasted too sweet, but he did think it was strongly citrus (which I did not think). Despite that, he also enjoyed the creamy dish.

Will you cook from this book again? I think I might, though it may not be one I pull to in the heavy rotation. Given another perusal (at the other dishes of “Autumn”, as well as the other seasons), I think there are a few more good recipes there. I’d be happy to give it another go at least!

So, no macrobiotics for you? I don’t think it is meant to be a complicated thing, but in my head it winds up being such a complicated thing, so I just gave up. I do recommend Blissful Bites or the Hip Chick’s Guide to Macrobiotics though for people interested in Macrobiotics… which yes, I still could not explain to you. Other than that I chew my rice thoroughly.

Tagged: vegan veganmofo vegan mofo 2012 blissful bites christy morgan macrobiotics macaroni

Posted on October 5, 2012 with 1 note ()

Speaking of comfort food, actual dinner is potato topped with baked beans and left over Mac because awesome. #vegan #whatveganseat #potato #macaroni #bean (Taken with Instagram)

Tagged: bean whatveganseat macaroni vegan potato

Posted on August 16, 2012 with 1 note ()

The Starch Solution Baked Macaroni with Creamy Cashew Sauce. I added roasted cauliflower and some peas ‘cause that is how I roll with Mac. Crazy addictive, this was a great recipe! #starchsolution #vegan #whatveganseat #macaroni #cashew (Taken with Instagram)

Tagged: starchsolution whatveganseat macaroni cashew vegan

Posted on August 15, 2012 with 1 note ()

Restarting Engine2 Challenge after a week of bad vegan eating for birthday aging’s sake. Good news is that E2 has introduced me to my true love vegan Mac at last! Modded by adding cauliflower and sweet peas. Yum! #engine2 #vegan #macaroni (Taken with instagram)

Tagged: macaroni vegan engine2

Posted on March 5, 2012 with 2 notes ()

The Happy Herbivore Cookbook: Veggie, Bean & Quinoa Croquettes over spinach and burger buns (hot dog buns suffered a wardobe malfunction) and Easy Macaroni and Cheese. Super Bowl Sunday dinner… I thought it deserved a +1 Water to go with, why not?

Tagged: happy herbivore vegan vegetarian what vegans eat macaroni croquettes MGD64

Posted on February 5, 2012 with 2 notes ()

Oh She Glows Mac ‘n Cheeze - Asian Fusion Style

Based on the recipe here.

Utilizes: