Macaroni Cheese

A recipe for you to enjoy.  Cooks two meals for a family of four.

3 Cups Macaroni

50 g Butter

¼ - 1/3 cup flour

2 – 3 Tbsp Finely Chopped (minced) onion or Leek (more if desired)

1 Cup chopped ham pieces (chunky bits from end offcuts).

1 tin crushed pineapple in juice (larger size tin)

1 Tbsp Chicken Stock

2 – 3 cups milk (see instructions)

2-3 cups Grated Cheese

1 – 2 cups frozen mixed vegetables

Method:

1.      Cook pasta according to packet directions, err on the side of slightly undercooked.

2.      Whilst pasta is cooking, melt butter in pot on stove

3.      Whist butter is melting, drain pineapple and reserve juice in oven proof measuring jug.

4.      Grease very large oven proof casserole dish, place onion in, cover the cook in microwave for 1 minute on high.

5.      Add drained pineapple and chopped ham to onion in casserole dish.

6.      Make pineapple juice up to 2.5 cups by adding milk, heat in microwave for 2 minutes on high.

7.      When butter is melted, add flour and stir until it is combined.  Keep stirring over medium heat until butter & flour mixture bubbles and darkens slightly.

8.      Stirring continually, gradually add pre-heated milk/juice combo to the butter/flour mixture in pan.  This is done slowly, making sure each addition is smoothly combined before adding the next lot.  Once the initial bit is done, you can add and stir at same time, in a continuous stream, until it is all added and combined.  You may need a whisk, but usually a silicone spatula will suffice.

9.      Add the chicken stock and stir until combined.

10. Stir and cook the sauce over a low heat until it thickens slightly.  As milk is preheated this should not take too long. 

11. When the pasta is cooked, drain it, and add it to the other items in the casserole dish.

12. Add the frozen vegetables and most of the cheese to the casserole dish (reserve some cheese to go on top).   Mix it all up.

13. Add the sauce to the casserole dish and mix it all in.

14. Put the reserved cheese on top.

15. Bake at 170 fan forced for 20 minutes or so.  If it has been refrigerated at step 14, then it will need some time out of the fridge before it goes in the oven, and perhaps a longer cooking time.

This recipe makes enough for 2 meals for 4 people.

Mr Potato Head lives in my bathroom

Mostly in our house, toys live in the family room.  However Mr Potato Head lives in the en-suite bathroom.  He has his own shelf and seems very happy there.

Why?

Mr Potato Head took up residence there a long time ago.  He wanted to be special, unique, and have his own place in our family life.  In the family room he was just another toy, vying for attention, waiting his turn.  However in the bathroom he is the star attraction, and that is how he likes it.

I quite like it too.  It means I can shower or brush my teeth in peace!  At first it was necessary because I could not leave the youngest unattended with the oldest without enlisting a UN peacekeeping force.... kids know when you cannot hear or intervene.....  Then it became necessary when the youngest was going through a clingy "but I just want to be with yoooouuuuuu" phase.  And now, well it is just fun to come and visit Mr Potato Head every now and then, or when separation of siblings is prudent once more.

Mr Potato Head has a friend, a small flip top bin, that was purchased for bathroom rubbish but was far too small.  The flip top bin is lots of fun as a place to put Mr PH's bits and then get them back out again.

So, when you need peace during your bathroom time, think about who could take up residence in there, and be a special toy just for the bathroom.