At [Nooch] Peace

A couple of weeks I got my first taste of nutritional yeast (otherwise known as "nooch"). As you may recall, I was less than impressed. I did not, however, give up on this protein-y, vitamin B12-alicious product. I tried nooch nachos, included some in my homemade hummus, and tried several more varieties of pizza topped with nooch-based "cheese." None of the ways I used nutritional yeast tasted bad, but they were also not exactly mind-blow.

Until this week. This week I mixed up some salsa and yogurt for a quick lunch dip, and I decided to sprinkle some nutritional yeast on top. I took my meal outside to eat in the unseasonably warm and sunny weather. As I scooped up the dip with tortilla chips, I kept thinking I smelled something really delicious being cooked in a neighboring house. When I cleared my mouth and took a few good whiffs, however, I could not detect this wonderful aroma. After a couple of rounds of this, I realized -- it was the nooch! The nooch was that delicious scent, and it made the dip taste amazing.

So what did I do? Put nutritional yeast on nearly everything I've eaten since then, of course! Check out yesterday's breakfast (scrambled egg whites+spinach+garlic topped with nutritional yeast, plus a few other goodies):

Nooch also played a part at lunchtime when I dusted the interior of my wrap with a hefty pinch of the stuff (whole wheat tortilla + apple slices + homemade spinach cream cheese hummus + fresh spinach = wrap).

I've made my peace with nutritional yeast (and waxed poetic while I was at it, apparently).

Now, to solve another ingredient conundrum. Perhaps you can help me. I have some maca powder. I've read great things about maca on the blogosphere, but I'm at a bit of a loss with how to actually include it in recipes. What's your favorite thing to make with maca?

Thanks for your Formspring questions -- keep 'em coming! Remember, you can type them right into the green dialogue box in my sidebar. I'm have a lot of fun answering your questions. The latest answered query is from Lance: "How would you equip your dream kitchen?" That certainly got me thinking . . . and drooling.