Birthday dinner!

Mac and Cheese

My daughter, Adela celebrated her 2nd birthday last Saturday. Since her birthday fell on Thanksgiving weekend (she was born on Thanksgiving) we had her birthday party the weekend before. I still wanted to do something fun to celebrate, but because she's an antsy little thing, I wasn't up for a family dinner out. I decided instead to make one of her favorite dinners, mac and cheese, complete with three rounds of Happy Birthday before we dug in.

Where this recipe came from
My grandmother makes the BEST homemade mac and cheese...hands down. As much as I love it, it isn't the healthiest thing on the plant...(sorry Granny, it's still DELICIOUS!) And while it's worth every bite once in a while, I wanted to create a slim-down version that I didn't feel as guilty about. (Although if I look like her at 80+ and get to eat that stuff, I'd consider myself one lucky lady!) Keep in mind it's still mac and cheese though, so don't be fooled that it's comparable to having celery sticks for dinner.

Making the recipe
I struggle with the "wetness" of the mac and cheese. Generally I make it too dry, which can probably be attributed to the fact that I don't measure. I'm working on it. I think this time it was OK, but you might want to experiment with adding more half and half when you make it.

The results
Everyone ate it, enough said.

The recipe
1 box whole grain elbows
2 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves garlic
1 heaping tbsp flour
2 1/2 cup reduced or fat free half and half (I'm sure milk would be fine too, but I've always used half and half)
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1 block Cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded (I use the cracker barrel 2% milk)
1/2 cup shredded Parmesan
1 tbsp flax seeds
salt and pepper to taste
3 tbsp chopped parsley
3/4 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
2 tbsp butter, melted or olive oil (I used melted brummel and brown and it's fine)

Heat oven to 400. Cook elbows in boiling water. I take them out when they are still a little firm. Since they will bake, you don't want them to get mushy. Heat olive oil over med heat in large skillet. Add garlic and saute for 1 minute. Add flour, stirring. Cook for two minutes. Add half and half, stirring. Turn heat up to med high and bring to boil. Once it begins to thicken, add oregano, basil, Cheddar, Parmesan and flax seeds. Stir until all cheese is melted and add in parsley.

Add elbows to pan, mixing well. Pour mac and cheese into casserole dish. Mix breadcrumbs with melted butter or olive oil. Spread over the top of the mac and cheese and bake for 20 minutes.

Adela Mary enjoying her "Mary-inspired" birthday dinner!