Nachos on a cold day

Snow. The forecast said it was to occur, and occur it did. It has been cold enough, chasing me indoors and all, that the need for snow was high. And what better food on a cold day than a nice plate of nachos while watching movies?

Everyone has their own favorite cheese sauce recipe, and I thought I would throw mine out there. I am not quite vegan since I do eat cheese, but I think this recipe is golden and it allows all to participate in its consumption. This recipe and the mushroom gravy recipe (might post later?) are the first two in which I experienced nutritional yeast with, and I have not turned back. This ingredient is a staple in the cupboard. I have switched this recipe which way and that way, and let me tell you, I have not had a bad version. This particular version is my favorite of the switchings thus far. 

Yummy vegan cheese sauce

1/2 cup  nutritional yeast
1 1/4 cup of veggie stock
2 Tbsp flour
1 1/2  tsp tamari
1 tsp of miso
4 drops liquid smoke (my liquid smoke lies in an eye dropper for ease of use)
1 tsp of ground mustard (or 1 1/2 tsp of wet mustard)
pinch of salt, curry (for an added flavor), garlic powder, smoked paprika, and onion powder
 * a smidge of harissa

Whisk all the ingredients together and bring to a boil. Once at a boil, turn down and simmer, stirring often. Depending on the thick/thinness you prefer, you can use soy (almond or hemp) milk or veggie stock to thin it out. For thicker allow the sauce to thicken on the stove.

* harissa: I obtained this kickin' piece of yumness from my olive lady, Margaret at the Farmer's Market, and it packs a punch. Strictly addicted, read about it here on wikipedia... I have not made my own, but now have it on the brain to try with next year's crop. Until then I hope to see my olive lady at the market soon!


Faux meat mixture

2 Tbsp oil
1 tsp cumin
1 1/2 tsp tamari
hot sauce splashes to taste
1 tsp smoked paprika
pinch of onion powder
pinch garlic powder
3 drops of liquid smoke
1 cup crumbled tempeh
additional 1 Tbsp of oil

Mix all the ingredients together except for the tempeh and additional Tbsp of oil. Once mixed well add the crumbled tempeh, mix well. Add the additional Tbsp of oil to a frying pan and cook on medium heat stirring often. Taste a small piece to see if additional cumin, hot sauce, or chipotle powder should be added. Really, any spice combination you want can go in, lime zest, well, really anything.

Yummy to the Tummy Nachos

The Yummy to the Tummy Nachos change their topping rotation with each version made. Goodness is attached every time, and you can't go wrong with the vegan cheese sauce whether you add the tempeh faux meat or not. I know alot of people are scared of the tempeh, but it is a soaker like tofu and really takes on the taste of the marinade. I prefer the consistency of tempeh, but to each their own.

Top warm tortilla chips with the faux meat mixture and yummy vegan cheese sauce and then the rest that suits your fancy. Shredded carrot, Margaret from the Farmer's Market's olives, corn, salsa, cilantro, greens, spritz of lime, tomatoes, onions, roasted peppers, anything you can think of.

This is a quick snack or meal in itself. And it works pretty well at keeping you warm and full during a marathon movie cold-in day.

P.S. Sorry about the lack of photos, the idea to blog about this was way after the nachos were in my belly. I will take pics next time and share. But, since I was flat-bound today I made a little video of Bzb's first snow of the season. Man we had it rough with that storm that blew in, hope everyone stayed safe :). Please let me outside next weekend or I might go crazy! Let the video buffer for optimal viewing.