Monday, September 2, 2013

Vegan Oil Free Avocado Peanut Butter Macaroni

Avocado & peanut butter in your mac n cheese? For real? Yes! And it's good!

I've been really obsessed with Trader Joe's Creamy Unsalted Peanut Butter which has an ingredient of only peanuts. No hydrogenated oils or sugar in this here jar. Since starting school and budgeting like a crazy madwoman- carrying around pen and paper and frequently using the calculator app more than ever, it's quite imperative to be cheap cheap cheap in Philly or as close to cheap as possible when art supplies are needed in addition to the food ( oh goodness I forgot to buy a newsprint pad!).
So back to Trader Joe's... their incredibly versatile PB has become a perfect replacement for the expensive tahini. I've made all kinds of delicious one of a kind meals such as grilled spinach and pb sandwiches! Cheese is so overrated when you have a good nut butter.
Today, I decided to use a Vegan Mofo challenge and it's macaroni & cheese Monday for Meatless Monday! Heehee! A creamy sauce combines avocado, peanut butter, dairy free milk, and nutritional yeast for a superb spin on tradition- a far cry from the days of boxed macaroni, powdered orange garbage, and lard butter.
If looking for a terrific, innovative mac n cheese, try adding some oil free peanut butter in the mix.
Trust me, it's yummy!

Vegan Avocado Peanut Butter Macaroni Ingredients & Preparation

2 cup pasta, cooked (gluten free can be used too)
1 1/2 cup spinach
1 avocado, ripened
1/4 cup dairy free milk (used 8th Continent soy)
1/3 cup nutritional yeast
2 tablespoon Trader Joe's Unsalted Creamy Peanut Butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon turmeric
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
pinch of paprika

Prepare pasta according to directions.
Whip together avocado, dairy free milk, nutritional yeast, peanut butter, salt, turmeric, and white pepper, and paprika.
Pour over pasta and stir evenly.

Big ole bowl of awesome.
That peanut butter is really something special!
Served with a side of raw crunchy carrots & spicy chik patty.
Ah, a perfect & cheap meal for a budgeting college lady.



5 comments:

  1. I'm going to be honest here, I hate mac & cheese. Yup, that's why I'm not going with that daily theme for MoFo! But I might be able to handle this recipe. I like the ingredients so I will give it a try. I can always give it to my husband if it's too cheesy tasting for me.

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    1. OMG! You don't like mac & cheese??? *gasps* I always get surprised when people also state that they don't like chocolate. To each their own. :) As for the avocado pb macaroni, it's not that cheesy tasting- more like nutty & flavorful. Kind of rich though. Hope you try it with both you & hubby enjoying results! :D

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    2. Haha! People are always surprised. It just made going vegan that much easier for me though. I like your description. I like rich and not too cheesy. :-)

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  2. wow! super innovative! I am totally impressed. :)

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    1. Thank you very much Amey! I appreciate your kindness. :)

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