Cashew-Less Vegan Queso

Name: Cashew-Less Vegan Queso
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: Mexican, Latin American, American
Ingredients: 7-9 rounds of eggplant ((sliced 1/4-1/2-inch thick // half of a medium eggplant yields 7-9 rounds)); Olive oil; Sea salt; 1 ½ - 2 cups unsweetened plain almond milk; 2-3 Tbsp nutritional yeast ((see instructions)); 1/4 tsp finely minced fresh garlic ((I used crushed garlic from Trader Joe’s)); 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp chili powder; 2 tsp cornstarch ((optional for thickening // sub another thickener if desired)); 1/4 cup chunky medium salsa ((slightly drained // OR 1/4 10-ounce can of Rotel original diced tomatoes and green chilies)); Smoked paprika and hot sauce ((optional // for added color and flavor upon serving))