Help! What can I replace cheese sauce with for a veggie bake?

[nonomix]

I am due to do a demonstration on Saturday but the person doesn't like cheese sauce (vegetables are steamed in Varoma first, then baked with cheese sauce and garlic/breadcrumbs and Parmesan topping). Problem is that is I checked recipes on the net  for vegetable bake and they all come with cheese sauce or a cheese based sauce. What would you use instead of cheese sauce that would marry well with the topping?

[dede]

That's a hard one, is it that they don't like cheese, or is it the whole white sauce thing they don't like? 
I don't know what else to suggest. Sorry

[Cuilidh]

Have a look at this and see what you think.  There are various recipes for vegan cheese sauce type substitutes on the web, in fact I am having a vegan macaroni cheese tonight (out of the freezer) but am having trouble finding the recipe for you.  I'll keep looking and see if I can track it down.  Also, have a look at Quirky Jo's blog, I am positive she has substitutes and you can always rely on her recipes.

[EmeraldSue]

What about a tomato passata?
You could sauté some onion and garlic (and a little chilli if they like it spicy) and add the passata to the bowl with some black pepper. Depending how much time you have, you could then heat the tomato sauce before adding it to the vegetables. I'm not sure if you could steam the vegetables while the sauce is heating, as I'm not very experienced with the varoma yet. You could still top it with the breadcrumbs, but I would add some parsley to the bowl when you make the breadcrumbs.

[Cuilidh]

I've just found the recipe I was thinking of.  It may or may not work.  Good luck.

[maddy]

If it's just because they don't like cheese, heres a couple.....
zucchini cream sauce...just leave out the parmesan or pumpkin & sage sauce....and leave out the sage if they don't like that either, and cheese.

.....if they can't eat dairy.....ignore my post  

[cookie1]

If they can eat dairy use cream. Both the sauces Maddy suggested are really nice.

[nonomix]

Thanks for your replies. I will check the recipes. I was trying to find out if she just didn't like cheese or the white sauce but she just repeated that she doesn't like cheese sauce  Not very helpful, hence I will stay away from any bechamel based sauce. A tomato sauce might work but I've no idea what it would taste like (I've never tried) and wouldn't like to serve them a bake that wouldn't work. For the Varoma cooking, it's not an issue since I cook the veg while the tomato/pepper soup is cooking. The cheese sauce is meant to be cooked before that stage.

[achookwoman]

Curry sauce

[Cuilidh]

... what about using one of the dips, but perhaps thinned out a bit?

[nonomix]

I thought about curry sauce but discarded the idea as the topping for the bake is made with Breadcrumbs, Parmesan, garlic and parsley so I don't think the flavours would match well. Hence a more "Italian" type of sauce would work better. I like the idea of the zuchini sauce and the spicy tomato sauce. I am going to make a list of potential replacements and let her choose the one she likes best...

[nonomix]

OK, I gave her a few choices of sauce and she liked the Zucchini sauce so that's what we'll make on Saturday. Thanks again for your help!!

[Rogizoja]

That part of the demo is intended to show how easy it is to make a flour based sauce. So I suggest you make a parsely sauce (that'll also show how well TMX chops herbs.  Good luck.

[Merlin]

I regularly make a Vegie bake using a tomato based sauce and my kids love white fish fillets on top with a breadcrumb mixture . You could just omit the fish of course. I just sauté some garlic and onions, add fresh or tinned tomatoes as well as sliced capsicums and mushrooms with a little bit of white wine and tomato paste. Just cook until all the vegies are soft and put in a baking dish. I then melt some butter and add breadcrumbs and fresh herbs from the garden. Put on top of your tomato mixture and bake in a preheated oven (about 150 °C) for 15-20 minutes.

[nonomix]

Thanks Merlin, the tomato sauce was my other option alright. I'll keep the idea for a family dinner