2teaspoonsdried onion flakes or 1 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 to 1teaspoongarlic powder
1/2teaspooncayenne
1teaspooonpaprikato taste/color
a generous pinch of salt
a generous pinch Rock salt/Kala namakoptional, if using lemon juice for wet uses. Not optional for dry spice since it does help add the sour. you can try lemon zest instead
You can add Daiya cheddar or yellow mustard powder for cheddarlemon zest, dried parsley for ranch, red chili/black pepper for the spicy variations.
Topping Crumbs:
Toasted Bread Crumbs or Toasted Oats and rice flakescoarsely ground.(1.5-2 Tablespoons)
Mix the doritos spice mix or blend in grinder to get a well blended mix. Taste test and adjust.
Cook the Penne per instructions. Blanch the broccoli(cook 3-4 minutes in boiling water, then rinse in cold water).
Blend the soaked cashews with enough water to make a smooth cream.
Add lemon juice, salt to taste and half of the Doritos spice mix to the cashew cream.
You can just toss the pasta and broccoli and serve at this point. I usually like to heat everything a bit so the spice taste comes out more and cashew cream doesnt taste raw.
In a pan, add 2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil, heat on medium.
Add the broccoli and toss for a few seconds.
Add the pasta and the cashew cream. Mix well. Cover and let it start to bubble on low heat. (1-2 minutes).
Taste test and adjust spices and salt and take off heat.
Mix some of the Doritos spice with bread crumbs or crumbs of toasted Oats and rice flakes.
Sprinkle the crumbs on hot pasta right before serving!