The rains have finally come to the Bay Area. In the business of Real Estate we can sometimes forget that the whole point of buying a home goes way beyond investments, loans and the conditions of the market. In the end it is about finding a place to settle in and to find comfort in. It is warm, safe place in which you can gather the people you love best. Rainy days can bring back the true meaning of "home" as you cozy down against the weather.
Here is an easy recipe for Mac and Cheese. It is truly the homiest of dishes, and this recipe is easier than the box version. You don't even have to boil the noodles. A green salad and a glass of wine makes this a meal.
Easy, Great Mac and Cheese
2 Tablespoons Butter
1 cup Cottage Cheese
2 cups whole milk
1 teaspoon dry mustard
Pinch cayenne
Pinch fresh nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt
½ freshly ground black pepper
1 pound extra sharp cheddar cheese grated
½ pound elbow macaroni
Preheat oven to 375F and position rack to upper third of oven.
Use 1T of butter to grease your pan.
In a blender, puree cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg, salt and pepper.
Pour puree into a large bowl, and fold in the grated cheese and uncooked macaroni. Reserve ¼ cup of cheese for the topping
Pour into pan, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
Remove foil and gently stir macaroni. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and put back in oven, uncovered. Bake for 30 minutes.
Allow to rest for 15 minutes before serving.
You can add ham and frozen peas to make it more interesting, or some julienned sun-dried tomatoes to give it some punch.
