My Life in Meals

I was recently watching Foodography on the Cooking Channel, a show that takes a look at different cultural food themes around the country and their origins. This particular episode was about good ole’ southern cooking! Of course after a few minutes of watching, it made me instantly crave mac and cheese. Mac and cheese has been one of my favorite foods since childhood, nothing like a box of Kraft mac and cheese with hot dogs as a kid (ok I still like to eat it now!).

So I decided on a whim to whip up an “adult” mac and cheese for dinner (a semi-healthy version as well!).

Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb whole wheat penne (or rigatoni)
• 1 small yellow onion, diced
• 1 jalapeno, chopped
• 1 plum tomato, de-seeded and chopped
• 4-5 mushrooms, chopped
• 1/2 cup broccoli florets
• 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1/4 cup low fat cream cheese
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoon butter
• 3-4 whole wheat crackers, crushed
• salt and pepper to taste

Procedure:

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, drain and keep aside in a baking dish.
2. Microwave broccoli florets one minute covered, then set a side.
3. In a small frying pan, heat olive oil on medium heat and saute garlic one minute.
4. Add onion and jalapeno, and saute 4-5 minutes.
5. Add mushrooms and saute an additional 3-4 minutes. Add in broccoli and tomato and season with salt and pepper. Stir fry for additional 1-2 minutes.
   
6. In a separate pan, heat 1 tablespoon butter and cream cheese, stirring often until melted.
7. Slowly add in shredded cheddar cheese, stirring rapidly as you add a small amount at a time.
8. Season with salt, pepper, and fresh parsley.
   
9. Pour cheese sauce and vegetable mixture in the baking dish with the cooked pasta, and mix thoroughly.
10. In a small pan, heat one tablespoon butter and saute crushed crackers, 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle on top of the pasta mixture.
11. Set oven to broil, and let cook for about 5 minutes or until a golden brown crust is formed.