If there’s one thing I love, it’s a fast and easy dinner. 2nd thing? Mac n’ cheese. 20-something-th thing? Eating healthy. And this meal…
HITS ALL THREE, BABY!
I came up with this recipe today when I walked into my pantry and saw a tumbleweed pass by. (Humble brag about my big pantry ;)). Went to the fridge and also found nothing because…
This is what I like to call, a PANECDOTE:
I arrived home from work the other day to find I had to power. Hm. That’s weird because I can see that the lights in the communal hallway that leads to my door are on. Strange.
Ask the neighbors, and while they did say some flattering things about my appearance (perks of living in the ghetto), they said they had no issues. Double strange.
I call National Grid, whom I mention by name because I HATE THEM AND THEY DESERVE TO BE YELLED AT VIA FOOD BLOG.
Suuuuper Funny Side Story: Back in November I lost my checkbook and some joker tried to cash a check for $8,000 (HA, you are smoking crack if you think I have that – try $8 first). So, I had to close that account and open a new one. That also meant I had to change EVERY ACCOUNT my old one was connected to. Credit cards, cable, store cards, gas, mortgage, student loans, gym memberships (yea right). Welp. Guess I forgot electricity because National Grid SHUT OFF MY ELECTRICITY for lack of payment.
It was 6 months! 6 MONTHS! And you didn’t think to try harder to get my attention?!
NG: “We called you last on April 16th”
ME: “That’s over a month ago…did you leave a voicemail?!”
NG: “No we don’t leave voicemails for your security”
ME: “OK well can I pay it now?”
NG: “You want to pay the last 6 months off completely?!”
ME: (In my head: “Oh dear god”) “How much is it?”
NG: “$200.57”
Now I’m not rolling in dough by any means…well besides while I’m cooking ;)…but YOU SHUT OFF MY ELECTRICITY OVER $200?!?!
That’s the end of my rant – moral of the story: make sure your auto-withdrawals are set up folks!
Sooooo since I had no electricity, I had to throw out everything in my fridge and have not done the big shop I need to fully restock. So, I had to get creative…
I had a head of broccoli and cauliflower, a box of orzo, and a bag of Mexican blend shredded cheese.
OK, I can work with that…
LOW AND BEHOLD – ROASTED BROCCOLI & CAULIFLOWER MAC N’ CHEESE
Preheat the oven to 425°. Set a small pot with water on the stove to begin boiling.
Take two banking sheets, line them with tin foil (see my ode to tin foil here), then drizzle some olive oil on the foil. Place the broccoli and cauliflower florets on the trays, cover with minced garlic, season with salt, pepper, adobo, and cayenne.
Place in the oven and cook for about 10 minutes or until you see the florets starting to crisp a bit.
Once, the water begins boiling, add the orzo and cook until tender. Then add a tablespoon of butter, a tablespoon of milk, and about 1/2 to 3/4 of a cup of shredded Mexican blend cheese. Stir until melted.
Remove the broccoli and cauliflower from the oven, add to the mac n’ cheese mix, then serve and enjoy!
So easy and SO TASTY!
Happy Eating!
