It's about the cheese

When we talk of our youth in this house, we speak of food. Being old enough to eat an entire Bistro burger, making chocolate pudding pie, etc. That being said, we want our daughter to have a full childhood, with better memories then just having grape nuts for dinner when mom and dad are too tired to cook.

So this is the first of what we hope to be an ongoing series of happy childhood recipes.

Low Fat, homemade Mac 'N Cheese. (the 'N makes it sound fun), from Moosewood.

1.5 cups low fat cottage cheese
1.5 cups skim milk
1 Tbs Dijon mustard
pinch Cayenne
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup minced onions
1 cup extra sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 lb whole wheat macaroni
2 Tbs Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup bread crumbs

(I've been raised to believe the baby jesus would cry if we ever used either pre-ground pepper, pre-grated parm, or store bought bread crumbs)

Preheat oven to 375. Coat 9" baking pan with olive oil.

In a blender, combine the cottage cheese, milk, mustard, cayenne, nutmeg, salt & pepper. Puree until smooth. In a large bowl combine the pureed mixture with the onions, cheddar cheese and uncooked macaroni. Stir well and pour into the baking dish. Combine the Parmesan and bread crumbs and sprinkle over the top.

Bake for 45 minutes.

(we like to add whatever we have as an extra kick. Frozen peas. Chicken sausages. Tuna fish perhaps.)

Whether she loves it or hates it, she'll be sure to have flash backs of a happy childhood when she smells it as an adult.