Eat Your Vegetables!

Eat your vegetables!

How many parents have said that over the years. How many kids have given them the stubborn look, crossed their arms and pouted? I’d venture to guess the answer is most. Every parent comes up with different schemes to make it happen. Some get lucky and the kids don’t have any problems with vegetables. Other try to use force or cajoling. As mentioned in a previous post, we quickly went the route of stating that no other eating could take place until they were gone.

Like some other parents, I had an aunt that would serve problem vegetables frozen. They all tasted like little balls of ice. Doesn’t sound overly appetizing, but if it works….

Other parents really tried to hide the vegetables in favorite foods. Puree them and add it to the recipe. Cover it up with something that tasted good. This recipe does that very well with cauliflower.

A great tasting mac and cheese whose volume is supplemented with quite a bit of diced cauliflower.

Nothing overly unusual.

Making the topping.

Cooking the cauliflower.

Adding the mac.

And cheesy goodness.

Ready for the oven.

Baked golden brown with pockets of lava cheese poking through….

Macaroni and Cheese With Cauliflower

Makes: Serves 6

Ingredients:

• 12 ounces multigrain elbow macaroni
• 1 head cauliflower, roughly chopped
• 4 slices multigrain bread, torn
• 1/2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• kosher salt and black pepper
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 1/2 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar (6 ounces)
• 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat sour cream
• 1/2 cup 1 percent milk
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

Directions:

1. Heat oven to 400° F. Cook the pasta according to the package directions, adding the cauliflower during the last 3 minutes of cooking time; drain.

2. Meanwhile, pulse the bread in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Add the parsley, 2 tablespoons of the oil, and ¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper; pulse to combine.

3. Return the pasta pot to medium heat and add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the onion, ¾ teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 3 to 5 minutes.

4. Mix in the pasta and cauliflower and the cheese, sour cream, milk, and mustard.

5. Transfer to a shallow 3-quart baking dish, sprinkle with the bread crumbs, and bake until golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes.

Source: http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/macaroni-cheese-cauliflower-00000000008063/index.html?xid=dailyrecnews-02-06-2012