Recipes for a Rainy Day – Mac and Cheese and Vegan Caesar Salad

Baked mac and cheese is one of the best comfort foods in the world

Is there anything better than cosying up on a rainy day and eating good food? I think not! When it comes to rainy day recipes, the UK has got it nailed. After all, it rains an awful lot here! Whether you prefer a warming bowl of pasta or a delicious take on the classic Caesar salad, there is a recipe out there for every kind of rainy-day mood. So, the next time you find yourself stuck at home while it rains, why not try one of these firm favourites to brighten your day?

Baked Mac and Cheese

Well-known as comfort food, mac and cheese is a staple of American and British cuisine. There are plenty of such recipes out there, but if there’s one that’s absolutely guaranteed to get smiles at the dinner table – it’s baked mac and cheese!

INGREDIENTS

• 250g / 8oz of macaroni

Topping

• 40g breadcrumbs
• 2 tbsp unsalted butter

Sauce

• 4 tbsp / 60g unsalted butter
• 50g plain flour
• 750ml milk
• 200g grated cheddar cheese
• 100g grated mozzarella
• ¾ tsp salt
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• ½ tsp onion powder
• ½ tsp mustard powder

METHOD:

Pasta

1. Put a large saucepan of water on the stove and bring to the boil. Add the macaroni and cook according to the instructions on the packet.
2. Drain the pasta, put it back into the saucepan and set aside while you get on with making the topping.

Topping

1. Combine the topping ingredients and mix well. Set aside while you make the sauce.

Sauce

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F.
2. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat on the stove.
3. Add the flour and stir continuously with a wooden spoon until a thick paste appears.
4. Add 250ml of milk, mixing it well until the paste is dissolved into the milk. Then add the remaining milk.
5. Add in the salt, garlic powder, onion powder, and mustard powder.
6. Stir for 5 minutes, until it reaches a cream-like consistency.
7. Remove from the stove, add the cheese.
8. Pour the sauce into the saucepan with the macaroni and mix well.

Assemble

1. Put macaroni and sauce into a baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over the top.
2. Bake in the centre of the oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is a golden brown.
3. Serve hot with a Caesar’s salad

Salads don’t have to be boring!

Vegan Caesar Salad

Caesar salad is a firm favourite, you can’t go wrong by serving this one up! It’s such a crowd-pleaser that it’s even served up by All American Dave’s food truck at World Series events, which goes to show just how popular it is. It also is a great way to show any Omni friends you have that vegan and vegetarian food doesn’t have to be boring!

INGREDIENTS

Croutons

• 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
• 1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Dressing

• 1/2 cup raw cashews, soaked overnight
• 60ml water
• 30ml extra-virgin olive oil
• 15ml lemon juice
• 1/2 tbsp Dijon mustard
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1/2 tbsp vegan Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tsp capers
• 1/2 tsp salt

Parmesan Cheese

• 1/3 cup raw cashews
• 2 tbsp hulled hemp seeds
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 15ml virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder

Lettuce

• 5 cups chopped kale
• 10 cups chopped romaine lettuce

METHOD

Croutons

1. Preheat oven to 200°C/400°F. Drain and rinse chickpeas then place into a clean tea towel and rub dry.
2. Put the chickpeas onto a baking sheet. Drizzle on the olive oil, then add the garlic powder, salt, and cayenne and toss to coat.
3. Roast for 20 minutes, then roll the chickpeas around on the baking sheet. Roast for another 10 minutes, until golden.

Dressing

1. Put the cashews along with the other dressing ingredients into a blender, and blend on high until the dressing is super smooth. Set aside.

Parmesan cheese

1. Finely chop cashews and garlic in a food processor. Add the remaining ingredients and pulse until the mixture is combined.

Assemble

1. Place chopped kale and lettuce into a bowl. Add the dressing and toss until fully coated. Sprinkle on the croutons and parmesan cheese and serve.

Other rainy day recipes you may wish to check out are as follows:

• Pomegranate salad with orange dressing
• Penne Pasta Bake with tomato and béchamel sauce
• Fusili pasta with vegetables cooked in Instant Pot
• Balti pasta

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