So.
Twelve months and 9 days ago, the most important person in my world ended up in the hospital and my heart was in the Upside Down for a while.
When Cindi got home I took over a lot of the responsibilities for day to day living that we shared or she was doing. I live with an amazing home cook. I can follow a recipe but come on — if you’re playing pickup basketball and Michael Jordan shows up you pass the ball to Jordan. Cindi did all the cooking and I enjoyed the fruits of that labor.
When she got home this was now my job. It’s been quite the journey since then — she’s back to cooking normally and now I’m just the weekends. We plan our meals, make shopping lists, manage lists of what’s in our pantry, and do the shopping together.
We also eat a lot less utter garbage so consider this a spiritual side entry in my previous series of good versions of terrible food: three versions of Mac and Cheese where no powdered cheese was harmed in the making.
3-Ingredient Stovetop Macaroni and Cheese
Prep Time: 8 minutes Cook Time: 8 minutes Servings: Serves 2 Source: Seriouseats.com
INGREDIENTS
6 ounces (170g) elbow macaroni
Salt
6 ounces (180ml) evaporated milk
6 ounces (170g) grated mild or medium cheddar cheese, or any good melting cheese, such as Fontina, Gruyère, or Jack
DIRECTIONS
1. Place macaroni in a medium saucepan or skillet and add just enough cold water to cover. Add a pinch of salt and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring frequently. Continue to cook, stirring, until water has been almost completely absorbed and macaroni is just shy of al dente, about 6 minutes.
2. Immediately add evaporated milk and bring to a boil. Add cheese. Reduce heat to low and cook, stirring continuously, until cheese is melted and liquid has reduced to a creamy sauce, about 2 minutes longer. Season to taste with more salt and serve immediately.
Broccoli Cheese Mac 'N' Cheese
Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 45 min Difficulty: Easy Servings: Yield: 6 servings Source: foodnetwork.com
INGREDIENTS
4 tablespoons salted butter, plus more for the baking dish
1 pound elbow macaroni
1 stalk celery, finely diced
1/2 head broccoli, stalks largely removed, broken into very small florets
1/2 medium onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon dry mustard
2 cups whole milk
1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 cup half-and-half
2 1/2 cups grated sharp Cheddar
1 cup cubed processed cheese, such as Velveeta
1 cup grated Parmesan
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
DIRECTIONS
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a baking dish.
Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cook the macaroni according to the package instructions until still firm. Drain and set aside.
Meanwhile, melt the butter in a pot over medium heat. Add the celery, broccoli and onion and cook, stirring, until the vegetables soften, 4 to 5 minutes. Use a wooden spoon to mash some of the broccoli. Sprinkle on the flour and dry mustard and stir to coat the vegetables. Pour in the milk, broth and half-and-half and cook, stirring, to allow it to warm up.
Add the Cheddar, processed cheese, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan and some salt and pepper and stir to melt the cheese. Add the macaroni and stir. Taste and check for seasoning. Pour into the prepared baking dish. Combine the breadcrumbs and remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan in a small bowl and sprinkle over the dish. Bake until bubbly, about 25 minutes.
Stove Top Mac-N-Cheese
Prep Time: 10 min Cook Time: 25 min Difficulty: Easy Servings: Yield: 6 to 8 servings Source: foodnetwork.com
INGREDIENTS
1/2 pound elbow macaroni
4 tablespoons butter
2 eggs
6 ounces evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh black pepper
3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
10 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
DIRECTIONS
In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente and drain. Return to the pot and melt in the butter. Toss to coat.
Whisk together the eggs, milk, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and mustard. Stir into the pasta and add the cheese. Over low heat continue to stir for 3 minutes or until creamy.
So, what’s for dinner?