Wednesday, March 15, 2017

Vegan Pierogi Casserole

Vegan Pierogi Casserole

So I think we can all agree that when it comes to carbs we have a deep-seeded love affair. I mean what's not to love?! Its warm, hearty, and makes us glow with glee. You can't look at a lasagna or donut and be mad...if you do we need to talk it out and hug, I'll bring cookies!

This recipe came to be, how most do...a craving. Oh and being snowed in, that can drive anyone to have a carb fit. Now the other reason I made this recipe was because I was being lazy...you see where I'm going here, carbs...lazy...snowed in...all a fat-vegan recipe for success. No good Comforting recipe started with lettuce. "Sorry lettuce I still love you!"

You are going to be beyond satisfied when this baby is bubbling away in your oven, smelling your cozy home up with hauntingly delish smells. I'll also give you some handy tips on how to handle vegan cheese, so you'll never have to say "It never melts well, the textures horrible!". You stop that vegan negativity, vegan cheese loves you. So strap on your sweatpants and hang on, we're about to get FAT-TASTIC! Enjoy!

Vegan Pierogi Casserole

Ingredients

2 (16 oz.) package frozen vegan potato & onion pierogis (see note for suggestions if you can't find vegan pierogies) 
2 cups Organic Sauerkraut, drained and squeezed dry (I prefer white for this)
1/2 cup vegan sour cream (I used Tofutti brand)
1/4 cup vegan cream cheese (I used Kite Hill, but choose your favorite)
2 Tablespoons Vegan Follow Your Heart Parmesan
1/2 vegan mayo (I used Just Mayo), I know it's weird but it works. Trust me!
2 cup unsweetened vegan milk (I used Ripple)
Salt & Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 Tablespoon Parsley, fresh or dried
4 strips vegan bacon, minced or chopped (optional)
1/8 cup nutritional yeast
Pinch each: Organic Onion Powder & Garlic Granules, to Taste

*ADDED NOTE*

This is the brand that was used in this recipe:

 

So it may be difficult for some of you to find vegan pierogies. Now you can find some store brands that are vegan (plain, onion, or sauerkraut). Now if you can't find any in your area I have a solutions. You can instead use Cooked lasagna noodles and mashed potatoes, it's perfect with leftover mashed potatoes (with kraut & vegan bacon mixed it). You can layer the noodles and potatoes and then pour sauce over the top & top with vegan cheese. I hope this helps!*

Topping
1 1/2 cups Daiya vegan cheddar cheese shred (or your favorite brand)
1/8 cup Follow Your Heart Vegan Parmesan Shreds
3 Tablespoons Nutritional Yeast
1 Tablespoon oil (your choice)
1 Tablespoon Parsley, fresh or dried
Salt & Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees

Arrange the pierogies in a lightly greased (or nonstick), 9x9 inch baking dish and top it with your sauerkraut and vegan bacon.

At this point you can start your vegan cream sauce, it's super complicated so pay attention. Put all the remaining ingredients (except your topping) in a blender and mix until completely smooth and combine...phew that was rough, you still with me? Pour the vegan cream sauce mixture evenly over pierogies, BOOM complicated.

Topping

Now the biggest complaint I hear from vegans, especially with daiya products is that it doesn't melt right or the texture isn't right when it does bake. Now I use it like crazy and I've found a handy trick to ensure it melts and bakes beautifully.

The Vegan Cheese Tip List
  1. Make sure your cheese is cold out of the fridge or freezer.
  2. You can use the pre-shredded like I did but the grated blocks work best (I only had shredded on hand).
  3. I always pair it with nutritional yeast. They are a marriage made in heaven and in the below tips, you'll see that the yeast sticks to the cheese, helps it not clump together and creates a beautiful topping.
  4. When you make the topping, add all your ingredients in a bowl, including the oil and gently combine it together. I use my hands to make sure it's all massagingly (yes that's a word) mixed together. You can use a spoon, if you must.
  5. Season it with salt and pepper, more salt helps bring out that cheese flavor.
  6. When finished baking, I ALWAYS Broil it in low. The broil helps crisp the cheese up and make it a bit less gooey and more stable. Especially for cutting into. No one wants the topping oozing off. That's a sad Casserole or pizza.

Once you've got your topping mixed, add it on top of the layered Pierogis in an even layer. Top with more Parsley if you like. Because green mean healthy right! Yay green!


Cover with parchment and then foil, so you trap your steam inside and protect that cheesy topping. Bake for 1 hour or until bubbly and heated through. Your knife or fork should be able to poke with no resistance. Once it's done, I remove the covers and broil on low until lightly brown and bubbly.



Now you can let this cool like a normal person with patience or you can be like me salivating and too eager to wait. My recommendations, do what feels right. This pairs perfectly with a nice salad (when you want to feel good about yourself eating fat-tastic carbs) or on its own as the star of the vegan carb-show. Stores great in the freezer for leftovers, if you even have any and PERFECT for entertaining many or just yourself. Don't forget your sweatpants! Enjoy!


-Amy

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