Carrot And Cauliflower Mac And Cheese Food

CARROT AND CAULIFLOWER MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F. In medium bowl, place carrots and cauliflower. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste; gently mix. Place in single layer on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Roast about 20 minutes, stirring once or twice, until vegetables are soft and browned. Remove from oven. Set oven control to broil.
• In food processor, place roasted vegetables. Cover; process with on-and-off pulses until pureed. (Mixture will not be completely smooth, but no large pieces should remain.) Add water; puree until almost smooth. Set aside.
• In 4-quart Dutch oven or stockpot, cook fusilli in boiling salted water as directed on box. Drain; return to fusilli Dutch oven.
• Meanwhile, in 12-inch skillet, melt butter. Add onions; cook and stir 4 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook 1 minute. Sprinkle flour over onion and garlic; stir with whisk to combine. Cook about 1 minute. Slowly beat in milk. Cook until thickened and bubbly. Stir in 2 1/2 cups of the cheese; cook and stir until melted. Stir in vegetable puree.
• Pour cheese mixture over cooked fusilli; stir to combine. Divide mixture evenly among 4 to 6 individual ovenproof ceramic baking dishes or into shallow 3-quart ceramic baking dish. Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese evenly over tops.
• Broil about 6 inches from heat 2 to 3 minutes or just until cheese is melted.

CAULIFLOWER AND CARROT GRATIN

Steps:

• Divide cauliflower into florets.
• Cut carrots diagonally into 1/4 inch slices.
• In saucepan of boiling salted water, cook cauliflower until tender crisp, about 8 minutes; remove with slotted spoon and drain in colander.
• Cook carrots in same water until tender crisp, about 8 minutes; remove with slotted spoon and add to cauliflower.
• Measure and remove 1/2 cup cooking liquid.
• For the sauce, in a heavy pan melt butter, stir in flour and cook, stirring constantly, for 3-4 minutes without browning.
• Whisk in reserved cooking liquid and milk; cook, again stirring constantly, until sauce is smooth and thick.
• Stir in salt, pepper and nutmeg.
• Blend in cheese.
• Place vegetables in a greased 8 cup gratin dish, keeping all vegetables at about the same level and spoon sauce over top.
• Recipe can be prepared ahead to this point; bring to room temp before baking.
• For the gratin, combine cheese, breadcrumbs and butter and sprinkle over casserole.
• Bake in 375 oven for 15 minutes if ingredients are warm, 20-25 minutes if at room temperature.
• Broil for 2-3 minutes to crisp and brown topping and serve immediately.
• You can substitute any combination of vegetables such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, parsnips, celery, onions, potatoes or rutabaga as long as the total is about 2 1/2 lbs.

CARROT AND CAULIFLOWER CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook the carrot in a small amount of boiling water for 8 to 10 minutes or until tender. Drain, and place in a lightly greased 1 quart casserole.
• Cook the cauliflower in a small amount of boiling water for 6 to 8 minutes or until tender. Drain. Add the cauliflower to the carrots, and set aside.
• Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add the broth and cream; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture is thickened and bubbly. (Do not get it too thick). Add 1/2 cup shredded cheese, green onions, and mustard, stirring until the cheese melts.
• Pour the sauce over the carrots and cauliflower, stirring gently to coat well. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until the mixture is thoroughly heated. Remove the cover and sprinkle with the remaining shredded cheese. Bake an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese melts.

MACARONI AND CHEESE (WITH BUTTERNUT SQUASH OR CAULIFLOWER)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the macaroni and cook according to package directions until al dente. Drain in a colander.
• While the macaroni is cooking, coat a large saucepan with cooking spray and heat over medium heat.
• Add the oil, then the flour, and cook, stirring constantly, until the mixture resembles a thick paste but has not browned (1-2 minutes).
• Add the milk and cook, stirring every now and then, until the mixture begins to thicken (3 to 4 minutes).
• Add the vegetable puree, cheddar, cream cheese and seasonings and stir until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Stir in the macaroni and serve warm.