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Sunday, October 14, 2012

20 min Mac and Cheese (vegetarian)




While I do love cooking, On typical weekday mornings I find myself shuttling between kitchen, the kids while attending a con-call or two and getting myself ready for office and so there is no time to indulge in elaborate recipes.

At the same time, I am also a foodie and definitely like to try something different every morning (other than the usual bread and cheese or Idli).  While I am not against boxed foods, I have used and continue to use them (although sparingly now) on occasions when there is no other option, but I do like to give my kids fresh cooked homemade meals. What can I say - I want to do it all ...

So on my quest to find lunches which can be prepared fresh at home in 15-20 mins, I have searched the web  and modified a lot of recipes I found to suit my needs. Here I share them for all those out there looking for a quick fix homemade lunch.


20 min Mac and Cheese (vegetarian)
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Ingredients :-
uncooked elbow macaroni : 3/4 cup
salt to taste
unsalted butter : tbsp
milk -: 1 cup
water : 3-4 cups
Cut vegetables :  I usually make this recipe with small cut carrots, peas (sometimes broccoli and potato
or just spinach)
cheese  : (Here is where you can improvise, usually I use medium cheddar and mozarella combined - but there are occasions when I am out of both and the kids just have to have Mac-n-Cheese, then I use the Kraft cheese slices and Mozarella cheese sticks - which we usually have handy as a snack)

Heat 3 cups of water in a saucepan and bring it to boil, add macaroni, salt,  let the macaroni cook till its soft to touch all over but not overly cooked.

In another pan, heat the butter, add vegetables, cook for 4-5 mins covered under medium heat till the carrots and peas (or any other veges) are tender, add milk and salt, keep stirring till the milk boils. Then keep it on low heat and add the 1/2 cup of grated medium cheddar and 1/2 cup mozarrella (Or 4-5 cut slices of kraft + 2-3 mozarella cheese sticks cut into small pieces (if the cheese is not cut into pieces it just forms globs of cheese which requires a lot of stirring to mix).)

By now the macaroni would have cooked, drain the water and add macaroni to the above and mix properly.
Keep on low heat for 3-4 mins and remove the pot add additional butter if you want and black pepper to taste and mix till its blended. Allow it to cool slightly till its edible for kids, pack for lunch OR serve and enjoy.

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