Easy Peasy Scratch Mac & Cheesey!

No, this is not low fat, and it’s not low calorie… But it’s ooey gooey goodness. And that’s ok on occasion.



The software:
1 package large elbow macaroni noodles
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
3 cups chilled whole milk
4 cups grated cheese of your choice
1 package sliced cheese of your choice
Salt and pepper to taste

The hardware:
1 large stockpot
1 medium sauce pot
1 whisk
1 spatula
1 9x11x2 baking pan, greased

In a large stockpot, bring 4-6 quarts of salted water to a boil.

Meanwhile…

In the saucepot, melt the butter and mix in the flour over medium heat.
Stir gently with a whisk until a nutty smell starts.
Gently add in the milk a little at a time, whisking briskly to avoid clumping.
Once the roux is smooth and creamy, add the remaining milk.
Add the grated cheese, one handful at a time, stirring constantly. Do not add the next handful until the first one is melted.
Turn heat to low.
Don’t worry if it’s sort of watery-looking. That’s ok - the excess will be taken in by the noodles as they finish cooking.
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
Add the noodles to the now-boiling water and cook 2-3 minutes LESS than the directed time on the package.
Don’t worry that it’s going to be sort of toothy.
Drain noodles and put back into the pot.
Add sauce to the noodles and mix together fully, and turn off the heat.
Place the mixture into the greased baking dish .
Layer the sliced cheese onto the top of the dish, then place in the oven for ½ hour.

Let cool about 10 minutes and serve

FYI - basic classes now available!

Do you:

*want to learn basic cooking techniques one-on-one?
*want to learn how to make healthy, easy meals?
*want to do it all in a "standard" kitchen, using basic equipment?
*happen to be in the Portland/Beaverton area?

If you are looking for a way to get away from boxed meals, take-out, and get back to being healthy again, look no further.

Graduating from Western Culinary in 2005, I was trained to work in a kitchen, and do small-service catering - but my first love is teaching about the wonders of food. I believe that the first thing we need to do to maintain a healthy body and spirit is to start with good food, and go from there. With good food, we can give our body good energy. With good energy, we can feel better, do more, and build healthy, positive relationships with ourselves and with those around us.

The US Surgeon General says that if Americans don't start living a healthier lifestyle, by the year 2015, over 70% of us will be overweight and unhealthy. Over 40% of those will be obese and unhealthy, and over 20% will be super-obese. The easiest way we can start to change these statistics is to start eating healthy. Cut out the boxed meals, reduce the take out and fast food, and start cooking from scratch again. Think you don't have time? Think again. Much of what is good for you can be prepped in advance, and cooked within 20 to 30 minutes.

I understand that it's difficult to find the time sometimes. I'm not advocating that everything be made from scratch all the time. But there are choices that can be made every day - I believe that we, as consumers, can either make those choices ourselves, or allow others in large food corporations, to make the choices for us and take away our right to a healthy body and mind.

Whether you are ready to kick-start your family into trying something new, or you just want to learn a few basic techniques, try giving me a call.

**note - this is a great course for young adults and first-timers living on their own - please no more than two people for each course**

This is a full day course, and currently only available on Saturday or Sunday, with 3 weeks prior notice. Menus and food options are chosen at the time of the booking. Start time is 10am, at the market of your choice, and then traveling to your home, so that you are able to use your own kitchen, and see how to use it to your best advantage.

The course includes the following:

*Shopping - Believe it or not, your choices at the market decide your overall health. I'll teach you what ingredients to look for on labels that are good choices, verses not so good choices. If this is summer, I highly encourage a trip to the local farmer's market.

*Prepping - Once home, we will go over some basic ways to prep things down for easy, quick meals. This will include cutting up and labeling of meats (if you eat them), and then taking care of fruits, cheese and veggies.

*Cooking - Techniques are provided based on the menu chosen beforehand. It can be anything from stir fry to roasting, from a cheese board to steamed veggies.

*Afterward - Critiquing of the over-all experience, and re-visit on how to make good food choices when shopping.

Course cost is $250 for one person, and $350 for two, and is due no later than 1 week after booking.

Cancellation policy:
If the course is canceled at least 2 weeks prior to the date, then a full refund is provided.

If the course is canceled 1 week prior to the date, then a half-refund is provided.

If the course is canceled less than one week prior to the date, except in extreme cases (death in the family, urgent hospitalization, etc), there is no refund.

If for any reason I am forced to cancel the class, there will be a full refund, and I will offer to re-schedule the course for you.

****Please note - I schedule these classes based on my current work schedule. I am normally able to adjust my schedule accordingly, but there may be occasions where I am unavailable for specific dates.****