Snack Match: Macaroni and Cheese

A snack match is an allergy-friendly snack that nutritionally and/or visually resembles a popular children's snack.

 

 

This week's snack is: Macaroni and Cheese

 

Snack Match substitute: Vegetable Pasta Toss

 

 

This recipe was frequently made by an American team member while I was working in Central Asia.  This person was a wonderful cook and, unbeknownst to her, the reason that I learned to eat tomatoes. She would make this dish with tomatoes, pepper and sausage for our meetings.  Not wanting to pick them out, I would eat them.  To my surprise, I started to like them, and even crave them each spring.  This dish is a simple, healthy lunch.

Broccoli, mushrooms, bell pepper, onion, bacon

 

Vegetable Pasta Toss

 

1/2 bag of rice pasta or macaroni

Any combination of safe vegetables like:

• 1/2 crown of broccoli, chopped and par boiled
• 1/2 bell pepper, julienned
• 5 mushrooms, sliced
• 2 tomato, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 4 green onion, chopped
• 1/2 red onion, very thinly julienned



 1/2 lb ham, prosciutto, or crispy-fried bacon (omit for vegetarian option)

2 T oregano or other safe Italian spices

2 T garlic powder, adjust to taste

salt

rice oil


1. Cook 1/2 package of pasta per package directions just to al dente.  Strain and place in a large bowl.
2. Toss pasta with rice oil to coat.
3. Add vegetables to the pasta.
4. Cut ham or prosciutto into 1/4 inch cubes or crumble the bacon and add to the pasta.
5. Add oregano and garlic powder to the bowl of pasta. Toss.
6. Taste.  Adjust seasonings and add salt if needed.

 



Chopped beets make it pink.



NOTE 1:  I have heard complaints from people who tried rice pasta.  I have never had any problems with it and have actually come to prefer it over regular pasta.  The brands that we use are Trader Joe or Tinkyada.  We tend to use Tinkyada the most because they such a wide variety of shapes.



NOTE 2:  Boarshead prosciutto does not contain any allergens including corn products, dairy products, soy products etc.  The prosciutto di parma only contains pork and salt.  The other prosciutto contain pork, salt, and pepper.