How to make this dish Vegan?

• To cook the pasta: Instead of dairy milk, use one of the following unsweetened options:
  • Soy milk : Use 1:1 swap
  • Cashew Milk : Use 1:1 swap
  • Almond Milk: Use 1:1 swap
  • Hemp Milk: Use 1:1 swap
  • Oat milk + Coconut milk: Use a 2:1 ratio to get good flavor; i.e., 2/3 cup oat milk + 1/3 cup coconut milk to replace 1 cup dairy milk
• To replace the cottage cheese: Use one of the following options, based on what you like best
  • 1/2 cup crumbled tofu, mixed with 1/16 tsp salt and 1 tbsp coconut milk
  • 1/2 cup vegan ricotta cheese - use your favorite kind
• To replace Parmesan cheese
  • Try using your favorite Parmesan substitute

Microwave not available?

Steamer not available?

• Use a trivet in a Pressure cooker / Instant Pot / Stockpot with well-fitting lid
  • Add  1 1/2 - 2 cups water to the pot.
  • Place a stainless steel trivet inside the pot: the water should barely cover the trivet.
    • the trivet is meant to elevate the steamer plate above the water used to generate the steam.
    • 
    • 
    • a wide-band stainless steel ring (1-2 inches high) can also be used as a trivet to support the steamer plate above the water in the pot - see picture below
    • 
  • Check the size of your steaming plate: place the empty steaming plate on the trivet to make sure it fits comfortably, and without wobbling.
    • If it is too tight, it will be difficult to remove the plate from the steamer (after steaming is done)
      • If it is too tight, use a slightly smaller plate for steaming.
      • Try to lift it out with tongs, as a trial run- to make sure you can do so after steaming.
  • Cover the pot with the lid (for pressure cooker/Instant Pot, keep the pressure vent/valve open) and begin heating
    • i.e., "zero-pressure" cooking.
    • When the water starts boiling, the steamer is ready for steaming your ingredients.

How to adapt this recipe for cooking in the Steamer?

• In a small, heavy bottom non-stick pot/pan, heat 1/2 cup of milk to boiling, on low heat, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and burning on the bottom. Turn the heat off and stir in 1/4 tsp salt.
• Immediately add 1 cup of pasta, bring the mixture back to a boil, then turn the heat off.
  • Cover and set aside for 5-6 min to hydrate, then transfer the pasta, along with any liquid not yet absorbed, to the container in which you will assemble, and later, finish cooking your pasta meal.
    • I recommend using an 7-8 inch stainless steel or oven-safe, tempered glass/ceramic cake pan - do NOT use an aluminum pan!
    • Spread out the pasta evenly on the bottom of the pan.
• Place the container in the prepared steamer (steaming hot), cover and steam the pasta for 5-6 min.
• Carefully remove the pan from the steamer and set it on the counter to cool for 2-3 minutes.
  • Caution: Do NOT place your hands directly in the line of steam!
    • You could get severe steam burns!
• The pasta will look quite sticky... No worries!
• Add 1/2 cup of cold milk to the pasta and stir gently. the cold milk will help loosen the "stuck" pasta. Don't worry if they don't all come "unstuck". Cover and set aside while you prepare the vegetables.

• Arrange the frozen green beans and frozen spinach side by side on a steamer plate. Place inside the steamer and steam for 3-4 min to thaw. Remove carefully from the steamer and set aside. 
  • If using fresh green beans - steam for 2-3 min and remove.
  • If using fresh spinach, steam for 2-3 min and remove.
• While steaming the beans and spinach, cook the tomatoes on the stove-top:
  • Place the chopped tomatoes in a small heavy bottom saucepan and sprinkle 1/16 tsp salt on top.
  • Add 2 tbsp water and cook, covered, on low-medium heat, for 4-5 min, until tomatoes are squishy soft.
    • If they look too watery, remove the cover and continue to heat, with stirring, to allow some of the liquid to evaporate. They should look similar to the picture shown in the main recipe for the microwaved tomatoes. While still hot, mash the cooked tomatoes with a fork.

• Prepare the seasoned spinach-cottage cheese mixture as described in the main recipe.

• Remove the cover from the pasta pan. Gently loosen the pasta from the bottom of the pan and flip it over.
• Arrange the vegetables on top as described in the main recipe: first the green beans, then the shredded pumpkin, then the spinach-cottage cheese mixture, followed by the mashed tomatoes. Lastly spread the shredded Parmesan on top.

• Splash a little water on top (about 1 tbsp) of the assembled pasta.
• Add 1 cup of water to the steamer pot (some of the initially added water will have evaporated by this time!)
• Place inside the steamer and steam for 10-12 minutes.
• Remove from the steamer and set aside, undisturbed, for 5-7 min

Storing Leftovers:

• Use within 2-3 days
  • To serve, reheat, in the microwave or steamer until properly heated through.

• Use within 8-10 days
  • To serve, set on the counter for about 30 min to partially thaw, then reheat, in the microwave or steamer until properly heated through.