Kimchi Mac and Cheese

Kimchi Mac and Cheese

So I finally decided to give this a try. I know there are many variations of this delicious Mac and Cheese recipe but I’m truly loving mine! The cheese sauce is super creamy with a smoky umami flavor and just a hint of spice. The addition of the Kimchi at the end makes a great combination of textures and flavors that I know you’ll really love.

Serves 4 - 6

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Ingredients

16 oz (454 g) short Pasta (reserve 1/2 cup 118 ml of the cooking water)

1 1/4 cups chopped Vegan Kimchi packed well (I really like Nasoya brand)

1/2 cup (75 g) Raw Cashews (I use Terrasoul Mylk Cashews)

1 medium Potato (300 g) peeled and cut into quarters

1 medium Carrot (85 g) peeled and cut in half

1/2 small Onion (70 g)

1/3 cup (20 g) Nutritional Yeast

1 1/2 cups (350 ml) Vegetable cooking Water

1 Tbsp (15 g) Gochujang paste

1 tsp (5 g) Garlic Powder

3 tsp (15 g) Miso Paste ( I use Cold Mountain Miso)

1 tsp (2.5 ml) Rice Vinegar

3 slices (72 g) of Vegan Smoked Gouda Cheese ( I like Follow Your Heart and Violife brands)

White Pepper to taste

1 Green Onion sliced thin

2-3 sheets of toasted Nori snacks chopped

Directions

1. Soak the Cashews in hot water for 20-30 minutes. Rinse, drain and set aside.

2. Add the Potato, Carrot and Onion to a pot of water and bring to a boil. Allow the vegetables to boil until fork tender about 10-15 minutes. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the cooking water.

3. Add the soaked Cashews, cooked Potato, Carrot, Onion and Nutritional Yeast to a blender. Add in the reserved vegetable water and blend until completely creamy.

4. Add the Gochujang, Garlic Powder, White Pepper, Rice Vinegar and Smoked Gouda Cheese to the blended mixture and blend again until creamy and smooth. Set aside.

5. Cook the Pasta according to package directions. Drain and add the Pasta back to the pot on low heat.

6. Add in the Cheese sauce and mix well. Add in the chopped Kimchi and mix well. Heat through before serving.

7. Serve with additional Kimchi, Green Onions and toasted Nori flakes.

Note: If you find the Mac and Cheese becomes too thick you can add a bit of the reserved Pasta water to thin.