Macaroni and Cheese: What’s Up?

It’s a windy, rainy, milder-than-it-should-be day in my corner of the world! The grass is beginning to peek through the snow and by the weekend, we expect it will be gone! Despite the lack of cold and snow I’m still enjoying winter menus and this dish is one of our favourites. I need to qualify this first:

None of our children like cauliflower. Not. one. ~sigh~

But this Macaroni and Cheese is a requested menu item from all of them! Yes, it is Macaroni and cauliflower together in a mix of wonderful cheesy goodness. It’s easy, delicious and nutritious… Care for the recipe? I thought you might! It’s actually not my creation… it’s a Jamie Oliver speciality!(And as I’m typing this I have a vague feeling that I may have posted this before, but it bears repeating!)

Credit

Macaroni and Cauliflower Cheese Bake

1/2 head of cauliflower
8 ounces cheddar cheese
4 ounces parmesan cheese
a small bunch of Italian parsley, chopped (I used dried)
sea salt
1 lb dried macaroni (elbows) (I used dream fields low carb pasta)
1 cup sour cream or creme fraiche

Remove the outer green leaves from the cauliflower and discard. Slice the end off the cauliflower stalk and cut the head into small florets. Halve the thick stalk lengthways, then slice thinly.

Grate the Cheddar and Parmesan into a large heatproof bowl.

Bring a large pan of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and all your cauliflower and cook according to the macaroni package instructions.

Place the bowl of cheese over the saucepan and add the crème fraiche. Carefully stir every so often until the cheese is smooth and melted. If the water boils up beneath the bowl, just turn the heat down slightly. Add all the chopped parsley to the melted cheese and season with a pinch of salt and pepper.

Carefully remove the bowl of cheese using a towel or oven gloves and put aside. Drain the macaroni in a colander over a bowl, reserving the cooking water. Return the pasta to the pan, pour in the melted cheese and stir. It should have a lovely, silky consistency, but if it’s too thick for you. add a splash of your cooking water to thin it out a bit.

At this point you can either serve the macaroni as is, or finish it under the broiler to make it crispy and golden on top. To do this, preheat your broiler to a medium to high heat. Add 2/3 cup of the reserved cooking water to the macaroni, stir in, then transfer to a baking dish. Place under the broiler until golden and bubbling.

Aside from recipes that fit the winter menu and budget, I’ve been working on organizing my desk, blog and writing schedules… you’re shocked, I know… but look, here’s proof:

If you’re looking for free organizational printables… I recommend

Jolanthe’s Blog I actually feel like I’m making progress!

And that is What’s Up here. How about you? Cook anything fun? Organize a corner? Read, listen to, or write something we should know about? Or maybe you’re just hanging out with the laundry today(that will be me tomorrow) Link up a post or let us know in the comments. Whatever your Wednesday looks like, I’m glad you stopped by the Cafe’ to share a minute with us.

Blessings on your Wednesday,

Now it’s your turn…. Here’s the button you’ll need…

Comments

Beth Zimmerman says:

January 9, 2013 at 6:15 pm

That sounds really good! I might have to try it with just the cauliflower. I’m doing the Wheat Belly Diet and going completely grain free … esp. wheat. The doctor who advocates the diet also makes a point of saying “no gluten free junk either.” Broke my heart because I thought that might be an escape hatch! =)

Francie M says:

January 9, 2013 at 8:04 pm

Love cauliflower – can’t wait to try this!

Amy says:

January 9, 2013 at 8:09 pm

Okay. I’m going to have to get on the computer and link up some southern goodness to send north of the border. It’s nearly as sweet as you are.

Laurie Collett says:

January 10, 2013 at 1:09 am

That sounds yummy! I love cauliflower & cheese! Thanks for hosting & God bless!
Laurie

Leslie says:

January 10, 2013 at 9:13 pm

Yummo! This sounds fantastic!!!!

donna oshaughnessy says:

January 10, 2013 at 10:48 pm

I am trying not to be bothered at this SECOND What’s Up Wednesday I am missing. My life…oh well. I can whine or comment. I will comment:
LOVE that mac and cheese. Talk about YUMMO! Have you tried cauliflower as mashed potatoes? And just this past week i gave Greek Yogurt a try…I wonder if it’s thick\, creaminess can be used for the sour cream? I plan on giving mac and cheese the make-over…but man, cheese is just CHEESE! We love it. Thanks for sharing.

Denise says:

January 11, 2013 at 3:39 am

Yummy, looks delicious.

dayebydaye says:

January 12, 2013 at 9:28 pm

So, I read this while I was writing my grocery list this week and made it for lunch today. Rave reviews from my kids AND their friends! Thanks so much, Katharine!

Katharine says:

January 12, 2013 at 11:22 pm

@Becky, I’m so glad! I love that the kids enjoy it, and that’s its good for them!