| Monday, May 31, 2010 |
| Cheesy Squash Casserole and Daiya...let's talk about it! |
* Don't forget to enter the NuNaturals give away! It ends tomorrow night!
We don't do the cookout thing for Memorial day here...it is sh*t on a shingle day. I have to do a gluten free/dairy free version and I will share that tomorrow. We will have to take the illustrator's word on how it is. But I wanted to share a little cheesy stuff with you today!
So, to start off, I don't miss cheese. I was never a cheese lover before I discovered my lactose intolerance...I know, I hear the shock! However, when Daiya came out with a dairy free, soy free and gluten free cheese alternative...how could I not get it? That being said, there are a few things where cheese is kind of the main ingredient that makes the dish. To name a few...pizza, lasagna, casseroles. Since I am good with my cheeseless pizza...I chose to go a different route with my new dairy free friend. I liked Daiya on my grilled vegetable panini the other day, so I decided to make a cheesy squash casserole this time.
Not a plane jane one though...nope, I wanted to add a little spice to it. My favorite spice as of late...turmeric. I really just kind of went with some vegetables we had around that needed to be used up. I think some of my favorite things come from the last things I need to get rid of before they turn to compost!
This combination is yellow squash, carrots, onions, garlic, turmeric and Daiya.
I wanted a tasty protein base to go with it, so I chose quinoa to make it a complete meal. This made the perfect bed for my cheesy squash casserole!
All mixed up, this was so creamy and the squash formed an incredible sauce that coated the quinoa. So, what do I think about Daiya....well, I was kind of eh, about it with the panini. Don't get me wrong, I liked it, but I wasn't blown away by it. On the squash casserole...I LOVED it! It is extremely creamy and melts really well! That is impressive all by itself. I don't think it has a ton of flavor, but I guess mozzarella cheese isn't loaded with flavor either. That's what makes it a great addition to dishes where you are looking for creamy gooeyness, but don't want to mask the the flavors of your dish. Honestly, the problem with most dairy free cheeses are the messed up flavors, so the mild flavor of Daiya is perfect in my book. Daiya also has a cheddar version that I did not pick up, but now I want to try it!
Cheesy Squash Casserole
3 cups sliced yellow squash 1 cup sliced onion 2 cloves garlic minced 1 cup shaved carrot (with a vegetable peeler...I just felt like it) 1/4 tsp turmeric 1/2 tsp salt fresh ground black pepper
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and coat a small casserole dish with nonstick spray (I used a bread pan).
Sautee the squash, onion, garlic, turmeric, salt and pepper in a nonstick pan coated with nonstick spray or a little coconut oil until beginning to soften. You may need to add a little water to the pan to keep moisture in it. Next add the carrot and cook until the vegetables are just cooked. Place the vegetables in the prepared dish. Sprinkle the Daiya evenly over the top. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until the Daiya is melted and browned around the edges.
What is your favorite cheesy dish? Could you live without cheese? I want to know who the cheese lovers are!
Labels: gluten free, main course, product reviews, side dishes, vegetables |
posted by Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen @ 10:54 AM  |
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| 20 Comments: |
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I was a cheese lover before going vegan. Honestly, I didn't really miss it once I decided to give it up - but now we can't live without our Diaya! The cheddar is especially awesome for grilled cheese and, of course, for mac and cheese.
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Good lord this looks good!! I don't even need to cut out dairy and I want to use Daiya! This dish is healthy and super comforting. A really nice meal to make on a weeknight i bet.
Hope your day is fabulous, darlin!!
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I am going to have to look for that! I typically use almond cheese in place of diary cheese. We love it! :)
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thats a brilliant idea with using squash. i think my fav cheesy meal would be enchiladas, lasagna, or potatoes gratin. so good!
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I absolutely love cheese, specifically in mac and cheese!
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I love all this daiya love. I have yet to try the cheddar, too, but I bet it's fantastic. I love it on some seet potato fries for cheesy fries. or with raisins and chickpeas for a sweet salad. Or... anywhere!
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I looked for Daiya at Mother Earth's the other day, not in stock yet. I am so curious about it. :)
Jenn
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Oh, could you tell me how much sodium it has in it, please? :)
Thanks
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I honestly don't miss cheese either, but I would still like to enjoy a slice of pizza every now and then without having tummy trouble afterwards! Still haven't been able to find this Daiya though. Your squash recipe sounds amazing!! Squash is one of my favorites in the summer.
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this is drool-worthy!! so glad i could see ALL your photos, too :P
i could live without cheese - the only cheese i'll eat plain is mozzarella...any other, forget about it. and when it comes to crackers, i'd way rather have PB :P That said, I do still enjoy feta or mozz on my veggie & hummus paninis, or local goat cheese on my tempeh, spinach, and jam paninis :)
Hope you enjoy your memorial day - i have to go figure out what shit on a shingle is, haha. and enter a giveaway that i've missed - oh the horrors of barely having internet. i miss reading your blog!!
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This looks insane!! I looove cheesy dishes. I love goat cheddar in salads soo much! I only wish Daiya was available here because it looks so good!
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That casserole looks and sounds fantastic! YUM. If you like the mozz flavor you will equally like the cheddar. Hope you've had a great weekend!
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I'm glad you liked the Daiya! I've heard good things about it, but haven't tried it yet.
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I will forever be envious of Daiya!!! And I love what you did with it. Yum!
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I honestly think that I would completely die if I couldn't have dairy, cheese, and my ever beloved carbs. ( this is why I look the way I do ) That being said, I love your blog because everything you make has me thinking that I wouldn't miss the cheese, dairy, ect, or lack there of in your recipes :)
Also. Thanks for making me hungry. Again. Im going to go eat some cheese now.
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Yes, try the cheddar! I was surprised at how delicious it is... I just recently found out about Daiya myself, and the first official dish I tried was mac n' cheese. So good! (recipe on my blog if you're interested) Also, some GF multigrain chips with Daiya on top makes for a satisfying snack (a.k.a. nachos)...
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Daiya is the best thing ever! This casserole looks delicious, thanks for sharing. :)
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Yes, let's talk about this casserole - I love the idea Sarena! As a southern girl, squash casseroles will always hold a special place in my heart. Thanks for the recipe - this is great. Proud cheese lover here for sure!
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I don't think I could live without cheese, sadly, but I do love the sound of that casserole. I'll try it out soon even though I'm not a huge fan of summer squash.
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Thanks for sharing this recipe in the comments Sarena. I see I commented on it when you first posted. Um why haven't I made it?!? So many recipes, so little time, you know?
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Sarena Shasteen - The Non-Dairy Queen
Home: Atlanta, GA, United States
About Me: Lactose Challenged
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I was a cheese lover before going vegan. Honestly, I didn't really miss it once I decided to give it up - but now we can't live without our Diaya! The cheddar is especially awesome for grilled cheese and, of course, for mac and cheese.