Cauliflower-Cheddar Soup

        1 head cauliflower, cut into small pieces

32 ounces chicken broth

1 medium onion, chopped

1⁄4 cup butter

1⁄4 cup flour

1⁄4 teaspoon pepper

1/2  teaspoon cumin

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1-2 teaspoons lemon juice

2 cups milk

1 chicken bouillon

2 cups shredded sharp-cheddar cheese (8 ounces)

Directions

1. In a Dutch oven, simmer cauliflower in chicken broth until slightly softened, and set aside, leaving in broth.

2. Sauté onions in melted butter until soft.

3. Season with pepper, onion powder, cumin and cayenne.

4.  Add flour, and continue to cook over medium heat for about 5 minutes, stirring constantly to make a roux.

5. Add flour mixture to cauliflower and chicken broth.

6. Add milk.

7. Increase heat, and cook until thickened and starting to boil.

8. Reduce heat, and add cheese, stirring until melted and combined.

9. Turn off heat so as to not allow to boil after adding cheese.

10. Finish off with the lemon juice.

Enjoy! Élvez! Piacere! Gustirati! Radosť! 

Macaroni and Cheese

2 Cups elbow macaroni
1/4 C margarine or butter
1 small onion chopped-- ---if making for children that don’t like the texture of onion, (like a few of mine),  
    add 1 1/2 tsp of onion powder
3/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 Tbsp flour
2 Cups milk
1 tsp hot sauce (optional)
8 oz cheese (I use an 8 ounce of Velveeta ---you can use American,
    cheddar, a mixture of cheddar, brick, mozzarella or whatever you have available).

Cook macaroni, according to package directions, using the least amount of cooking time.
Drain macaroni, saving 1/3 cup of the cooking water to add to cheese mixture.
Melt margarine in a large saucepan, add onion salt and pepper.
Cook over medium heat until onion is slightly tender.
Blend in flour and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly. (About 4 minutes).
Remove from heat.
Stir in milk. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Add cheese and reserved pasta water,  and stir until melted. Stir in the macaroni. Put all into a slightly greased 9”x9” baking dish. Bake uncovered in 375° oven for 25 minutes.

This dish is a favorite of our 2 boys, and on their birthday it would be a request for their special birthday meal. As an added treat, I cut up cooked chicken and add it to this cheesy dish. The kids love it. (Just add the chicken to the cheese sauce mixture). I know that the convenience of store bought, boxed macaroni and cheese is easily available, but you can’t match the taste of homemade. Nick and Sam will vouch for that.

Enjoy! Élvez! Piacere! Gustirati! Radosť!