Last weekend, we enjoyed a visit with friends. One of them had heard rave reviews about the heavenly flavor (and low-cal benefits) of nutritional yeast sprinkled on popcorn. The review came from a reliable cooking magazine and he was eager to try it. Alas, he had tried it a few days before our visit and the results did not meet his expectations. Knowing I'm a vegan, he very kindly passed along the jar of nutritional yeast to me. We joked with him and his wife about making "Mac n' Yeast" since vegans often use nutritional yeast to make substitute cheese sauce. Here, then, is my attempt at vegan "Mac n' Yeast" ;-)
The recipe is Best Vegan Mac n Cheese in the World... Seriously from VegWeb. Several other reviewers agreed with the boastful title. but I'm not sure I was completely amazed. Still, the dish did fascinate me; it wasn't exactly tasty, but it wasn't exactly unpleasant. It has a very unusual taste, a heavy and deep flavor that I'm not sure I really enjoyed and that seems very different from my (fond) memories of cheese.
I do have to say that I did not use the small amount of silken tofu when I made the recipe as I thought I had some and didn't! I don't think the tofu would have really altered the flavor, but it might have made it a tad creamier. To compensate, I added some Tofutti to the finished product and it did enhance both creaminess and flavor. I also cut back on the garlic powder and salt as other reviewers suggested. After I snapped the picture and started chowing down, my sister (who was over for dinner) suggested adding peas to help offset the strong taste and that did help.
This is my second attempt with nutritional yeast (I tried it some time ago and wasn't a fan then but chalked it up to being new to veganism and vegan cooking). I'm not sure I'm a fan yet, though I will definitely try a few more recipes to use up the jar from our friend and perhaps I'll alight on just the right one. If any of you have a favorite nutritional yeast recipe (esp. one that tastes most like "real" cheese), please let me know!
Kathryn, Are you using the flakes? The nutritional yeast flakes? They're better than the powdered variety. But, no, it doesn't really taste like cheese. When decades have gone by though, you might appreciate the cheesy taste.
ReplyDeleteIt looks good. Great photo. And the peas were a great idea!
Kathryn, my favourite recipes that use nutritional yeast are the tofu scramble recipe from 30 minute Vegan and the Hurry-up Alfredo Sauce from Vegan YumYum. I use it quite a bit in cooking but not necessarily in fake cheese recipes. I'll try and think of some more recipes.
ReplyDeleteOh, and I tried that particular mac 'n cheese recipe from vegweb and wasn't thrilled with it either. :-)
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ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback, ladies!
ReplyDeleteLisa, this was powder. I will have to see if I can find the flakes. So far, I have only seen the powder in my local store but perhaps I am not looking hard enough.
Lee, glad to know it wasn't just me re: this recipe being a bit lackluster. I am still on the left-overs and finishing them up at lunch today, and I won't be sorry to see them go. I'll have to look for the Alfredo Sauce you mention; I always liked the taste of dairy Alfredo Sauce but even then it was way too rich for my tummy. I'm hoping the vegan one will be better. I made an ambrosia salad last night that I am looking forward to posting about soon! I love eating these desserts that no longer bother my tummy--or my conscience! ;-)
Interesting! We still have't fully given up cheese, but have really cut back big time. I will have to get used to the nutritional yeast. Currently I'm not fond of the flavor. By the by, there is a food stand here in Austin that is completely vegan and they are famous for their mac n' cheese. I keep meaning to go try it. There is also a restaurant that serves vegan 'queso' (melted cheese dip for those who don't know) and we've had it several times - quite good! I can taste the nutrtional yeast in it, but it's not overpowering. If you guys ever come to Austin I'll take you all on a vegan tour! ;-)
ReplyDeleteA Chandra-led vegan tour of Austin would be awesome! :-) I'm so happy you are finding some good veg. restaurants there.
ReplyDeleteI've tasted some really delicious vegan cheese (the kind they used on the pizza in Ashland, OR was absolutely heavenly!) but have yet to prepare anything from scratch that comes close. I will keep trying ;-)