Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Wednesday Yummies: Healthy Mac 'n Cheese

In an effort to get more organized for the chaotic hour between daycare pick-up and after dinner,I decided to plant myself in front of the stove last Sunday afternoon and cooked up a storm. My big guy helped mix and measure and one of the recipes we made was from Jessica Seinfeld's (Jerry Seinfeld's wife) cookbook "Deceptively Delicious". Her cookbook is filled with yummy recipes with hidden veggies! Not only are they yummy, but they're healthy.

This was a big hit in our house last night with the kids and Mr. Fix-it. I doubled the recipe and froze half.

Homemade Macaroni & Cheese (with hidden cauliflower)


Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni or spirals
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butternut or cauliflower puree
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
1/4 cup reduced-fat or nonfat cream cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Directions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander.

2. While the macaroni is cooking, in a large saucepan, over medium heat...add the oil, then the flour, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture resembles a thick paste but has not browned, 1 to 2 minutes.

3. Add the milk and cook, stirring every now and then, until the mixture begins to thicken, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the vegetable puree, Cheddar, cream cheese and seasonings and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Stir in the macaroni and serve warm.

You could add breadcrumbs to the top and bake in the oven but I knew my babes wouldn't go for that part. For the cauliflower puree, I just cooked a bunch of cauliflower in the microwave, added it to my food processor (with a bit of water) to get it that "baby food puree" consistency.

Voila! An easy, hearty, healthy and good weeknight meal for your family. From our table to yours.

Keep it Beautiful.

1 comment:

  1. Hi!
    loved your truly inspirational blog and would like to invite you to meet my space as well, since it seems we have a lot in common. hope you'll enjoy yourself! I certainly did here!

    kisses


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    ReplyDelete

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