Mac & Cheese

This post has two stories.  The first is Andrea.  She has a beautiful boy with a bright smile, a love of macaroni and cheese and special needs.  Many parents are aware that a diet free of gluten can help children with Autism, ADD and ADHD.  Andrea reports, like many parents with special needs children,  that her child is a VERY picky eater.  When I asked the question "what does he like" Andrea told he loves mac and cheese.  She then went on to say that she had tried the boxed version labeled gluten free and neither of them would eat it.  I can't say that I blame them.  Food should taste good and as many of us who have tried products labeled "gluten free" know, they don't always.  The mac and cheese Andrea prepared for her son was one I also sampled at a Gluten Free food expo.  I couldn't even finish the tiny sample we were given.  This is inexcusable! 

My second story came out of the first.  I promised Andrea earlier this week that on Friday I would make Mac & Cheese for her to take home to her adorable picky eater.  I was talking about this at work when one of the parents (my day job is working with infants for those of you who didn't read post #1).  Jill mentioned that she and many of her busy co-workers would love it if someone had a business where they made dinners that were take-out.  Busy mothers want to feed their families healthy food but lets face it, we all work too hard sometimes.  This also gave me an opportunity to try my gluten free dish on a non-gluten free family...sweet!  Those who know me also know that I love doing things for others.  I didn't tell Jill ahead of time in case I was too tired to pull it off.  Besides, I just love surprising people!

  I knew this would mean I would be getting up fairly early on to make a fresh batch.  What I hadn't counted on was having my day job hours moved up one hour earlier on Friday to accommodate someone else's day off.  OOPS!  Oh well, I can do this!  Fortunately my husband takes a class at the local community college on Thursday nights so I could prep the night before.  Thursday night found me grating cheese and laying out the ingredients and tools I would need the next morning, including a very heavy pot that you will see in a both of my first two blogs and likely in many future ones as well.  It is my favorite pot. 

Friday morning I arose at 5:00, jumped into my jeans and t-shirt and dashed downstairs to the kitchen.  Okay, someone must have thought I left the pot out by mistake because they put it away.  I smile, open the drawer and pull out the very heavy pot again.  This is an extremely easy recipe to prepare so I was able to accomplish it in plenty of time to leave for work.  I even managed to eat breakfast in there somewhere but I really don't remember doing that. 

This recipe starts with quinoa elbow macaroni noodles.  There are many gluten free pastas on the market but I like quinoia best because of the nutrient value of quinoa and the way the pasta holds up.  Some of the rice pastas I have tried get too mushy. The recipe itself I found on the food network website and is one of Alton Brown's. Or Alton John as I called him a few days ago when I was in a hurry.  I think I had Elton John on the brain. I have altered it just a little and will post the changes I made but here is the original link: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/stove-top-mac-n-cheese-recipe/index.html

 I have to admit I am a little nervous about this recipe.  Not because it isn't good.  I have made it a few times and my family loves it and co-workers have requested it for potlucks.  I know it's good.  But will my little "guinea pig" (his mother's words, not mine) like it?

Mac and Cheese (the ultimate kid food)

1/2 pound gluten free elbow macaroni (I prefer quinoa)

4 tablespoons butter

2 eggs

6 ounces evaporated milk

1/2 teaspoon hot sauce

1 teaspoon kosher salt

Fresh black pepper

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

10 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded

In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente and drain. Melt the butter in the pot slowly being careful not to burn.  Put the pasta back in the pot with 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. Serve to your picky eater.