Penne and Cheese

Directions

Grease an ovenproof dish and put a big pot of water on to boil with the lid on. Heat your oven to 200°C.

Gather your ingredients and prepare the following:

• 1 onion, finely diced
• 1 carrot, finely diced
• 150gm vegetarian bacon or hotdog, diced (optional)
• 6 brussels sprouts, halved
• ¼ cauliflower, cut into bite-sized pieces
• ¼ broccoli, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 1-2 tomato or tamarillo (peeled), sliced
• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Keep the prepared veggies together on a chopping board and prepare the following:

SAUCE

• 200g margarine or neutral oil
• 3/4 cup flour or 1/3 c cornflour (starch)
• 1 clove garlic, crushed
• 1 litre milk – any kind, but best to use something with neutral flavour
• 1 tsp vegetable stock powder
• 1 tsp mustard powder
• 1 Tbs dried oregano
• 300g grated cheese (try Angel Food’s cheeses)

Melt the margarine or heat the oil in a pan, then add the garlic. Fry for one minute, add the flour, and stir while cooking for one minute on medium-high heat. Gradually add the milk, one cupful at a time, stirring constantly to avoid lumps. After the second addition of milk, add the vegetable stock powder, mustard powder, and oregano.

When all the milk has been incorporated add the grated cheese and stir through to melt. Season with:

• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp cracked black pepper

If not using immediately push a piece of baking paper down onto the top to prevent skin from forming.

GLUTEN-FREE SAUCE

Omit the flour. Add the garlic to the milk and bring almost to a boil, adding the vegetable stock, mustard powder and oregano. Mix the cornflour with half a cup of water, then add to the sauce, stirring well until thickened. Add the cheese and mix until smooth. Season as desired.

Meanwhile, add:

• 2 Tbs salt

To the pot of boiling water along with the halved brussel sprouts and cook for just one minute, then scoop out the sprouts and place them on your chopping board with the other veggies.

Add to the boiling water:

• 400g wholemeal penne pasta or gluten-free penne pasta

Stir and cook until just al dente; it will cook further in the oven. Drain then stir into the prepared sauce. Spoon into the greased ovenproof dish along with the prepared veggies and top with:

• 50g cheese, grated (try dairy-free cheeses, such as Angel Food’s cheeses)

And arrange the sliced tomato on top. 

Bake for 15 minutes until bubbling and golden. Top with finely grated dairy-free parmesan and serve.