Mushroom Macaroni

Hamburger Helper with mushrooms? Large, plump beauties provide juicy texture to this lovely presentation of pasta and broccoli.

It's Aaliyah Dana Haughton Day. Well, unofficially speaking. My tradition is listening to her voice throughout this coveted January 16th-- a day of remembrance and celebration of a sweet honeyed vocalist/ terrific dance queen gone too soon. This is the first year her debut album is skipped and for good reason. I will never listen to "Back and Forth" ever again.
"One In a Million," "If Your Girl Only Knew," and "Try Again" are timeless treasures. Guest appearances on Ginuwine's "Final Warning" and Lil Kim's "Queen Bee" are guilty pleasures.
My most favorite song is "No Days Go By" and my most favorite video is "4 Page Letter." 

Aaliyah: a goddess, enchantress. There is no one quite like her.

In other news, school started back up this week. I'm terrified. The last fifteen weeks of grad school are off and running. My work is crashing head first into deeply personal territory. More on that in an upcoming post.
I revel back in Aaliyah music and solid good vegan food-- like rustic, earthy tasteful mushrooms in a traditional animal free macaroni and cheese dish. No one has to use broccoli as much as I do. Spinach, kale, or any other green vegetable will do fine. Or leaving it out together to let mushrooms have total plant domination. Either way, it's purely good flavor that brings the empty bowl coming up for more.
Serving size is four people. Four people......

Mushroom Macaroni Ingredients and Preparation

1 1/2 cup elbow macaroni
1 cup broccoli
1/4 cup water or vegetable broth
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1/4 cup red onion, chopped
2 cup mushrooms
1 cup Lightlife Smart Ground
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup Daiya Cheddar Style Shreds
1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1 teaspoon Himalayan Pink Salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Cook elbow macaroni and broccoli according to packaged directions (or the version personally preferred).
In a skillet, sauteed garlic, red onion, and mushrooms together in water (or broth).
Add in the smart ground.

Toss in cooked macaroni and broccoli.

Stir in coconut milk and Daiya.

Add Italian Seasonings, Himalayan Pink Salt, and black pepper.....

Serve and smile.