Mac And Cheese With Green Vegetables

Being a chilli and spice enthusiast I often forget that children do not appreciate complex flavours. On occasions like this I need a recipe that not only pleases the children but also excites the adult, transporting them into the state of "I wanting what the children are having." Saucy, creamy and soft mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, satisfying the deepest of cravings and sending you off into a carbohydrate induced coma. The addition of broccoli and green peas not only adds fresh flavour but a much needed texture to cut through the dish.

Ingredients:

200 grams of just under cooked pasta
120 grams of butter
40 grams of plain/all purpose flour
200mls of milk
120 grams of cream cheese
250 grams of mature cheddar
A good pinch of salt and pepper
100 grams of peas
A whole head of broccoli, cut into bite size pieces

Method:

Preheat your oven to 200°c.

In a sauce pan melt the butter on a medium heat and sprinkle in the flour slow, this is to prevent lumps forming, and cook for 2 minutes continuously stirring. Now slowly add your milk a bit at a time, make sure that each addition is well combined, now whisk until the sauce until it becomes thick, this should take 1-2 minutes. Now add the cream cheese, salt, pepper and the cheddar and melt into the sauce.

Add the pasta, peas and broccoli into the sauce and mix until the pasta and vegetables are well coated. Pour into a medium-sized oven dish, sprinkle over some cheddar cheese and bake for 25 minutes.

In my recipe I have used frozen peas that have been thawed and fresh broccoli as I like a bit of bite, however you can use boiled broccoli, add sweetcorn or leave the vegetables out all together.

Love Mademoiselle De Baker x