Like any other parent out there I am always trying to find new recipes to get my children to eat their vegetables. Of course it can be a struggle and Yes, they can be picky BUT in order for them to get BIG and STRONG I tell my son and daughter that they have to eat all their vegetables at dinner.
So that started my search for new, yummy recipes for kids. I came across this Mac and Cheese by Rachel Ray. I said ok, Mac and Cheese… “What’s the catch?” Then I kept on reading the ingredients and saw it. There it was in big letters …. Cauliflower.
Now, my kids aren’t really fans of Cauliflower. They say, “EWWWWWW Mommy, we have to eat a flower!”
All I do is laugh and explain to them that Cauliflower is not really a flower, but a vegetable that only resembles a flower.
Of course they look at me like I have just told them I have three eyes. But never the less, they say Nope, No Way Jose, Nah!
Well, getting back to the recipe, I thought this will be a great way to get them to eat cauliflower and not even now it, master in disguise.
And guess what they GOBBLED it all up and asked for seconds. 🙂
So for all of you parents who have a hard time getting your ids to eat vegetables or cauliflower, try this recipe. It may just work for you too.
The Ingredients needed: Cauliflower, whole wheat pasta, butter, flour, ilk, chicken broth, sharp cheddar cheese, dijon mustard, pepper.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the cauliflower and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer the florets with a slotted spoon to a large bowl. In the same boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente, then drain in a colander. Add the pasta to the cauliflower.
While the pasta is working, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat.
Then, whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute.
Don’t be alarmed if it starts to clump together, its suppose to.
Next, whisk in the milk and chicken broth and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cheese. Whisk in the mustard and season with pepper.
(I found that I did not care for the dijon mustard in this recipe due to it being strong in flavor. I also found that I needed to add velvetta cheese to the mixture because it was missing that extra cheesy zing to it.)
Enjoy!
Mac and Cheese Surprise
(adapted from Rachel Ray)
Salt
1 head cauliflower, cut into florets
1 pound whole wheat pasta
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup chicken broth
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
Pepper
Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the cauliflower and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer the florets with a slotted spoon to a large bowl. In the same boiling water, cook the pasta until al dente, then drain in a colander. Add the pasta to the cauliflower.
While the pasta is working, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute, then whisk in the milk and chicken broth and cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the cheese.
Whisk in the mustard and season with pepper. (I found that I did not care for the dijon mustard in this recipe due to it being strong in flavor. I also found that I needed to add velvetta cheese to the mixture because it was missing that extra cheesy zing to it.)
Stir the cheese sauce into the pasta and cauliflower.
That’s So Yummy!
