Dry out your trusty pot and place it back on the stove over medium-low heat. Now it’s time to make the roux, the secret weapon of all good mac n’ cheese recipes. Puree until smooth and set aside in a large bowl. Remove the cauliflower and place half of it in a blender with 1/2 cup of warm water. Cover the pot with a lid and steam the cauliflower over medium heat until soft, 6 to 8 minutes. Place a metal steamer in the pot and place your cauliflower florets on top. Pour out the water in the pot until you have just a few inches left. Dunk the peas in the pot for 1 to 3 minutes and immediately remove them, running them under cold water until they are cool to the touch. Next, bring the same pot of water to a boil again. Then, run the noodles under cold water to stop the cooking process and put the noodles aside in a separate large bowl.
And using a slotted spoon, remove the noodles from the pot, reserving the water. Add the pasta and cook until slightly al dente, about 6 minutes or according to the package directions. Sprinkle of smoked paprika and/or chili powder (optional)įill a medium pot with water and bring to a boil.3 cups 0% FAGE Greek Yogurt mixed with 1/2 cup water (or milk or coconut milk depending on health needs).1 medium head cauliflower, stem removed and broken into florets.3 cups wheat pasta shells or macaroni noodles.And now, when I think of runny noses, hectic afternoons, and cravings for hearty and heartwarming food, I think less of my old friend (Stouffer’s) and more of my new discovery (Mac N’ Peas).Īdjusted from the Sodium Girl’s Low-Sodium Cookbook t o be diabetic-friendly That’s how my favorite comfort food got a sexy new makeover. Forget the whole kit and kanoodle.Īn equally orange, “milky” concoction with a secret sauce and the surprise addition of bright green peas. Because I finally realized that the only way I was going to win this low sodium challenge was to ditch the obvious and take a new tactic. You’re thinking, what? Give in? You never give in! Tell me it isn’t true.īut I gave in and I said, Stouffer’s, take your Mac n’ Cheese. But even to this day, I still crave the taste of silky cream sauce with a toothy bite of noodles.Īs with my other food longings, though, I tried to recreate the memories using pureed butternut squash,a masterful roux or two, and even low sodium “cheddar” that I ordered online. And the taste I lovingly remember was probably a good dose of salt mixed with BPA.
Craving the taste of melted plastic with your elbow pasta? Stouffer’s. In my younger days of watching Saved by the Bell after school and wearing boxer shorts as shorts (nice trend, America), a fluorescent orange bowl of Stouffer’s sunshine was the cure all for anything gloomy. It is right up there with Bagel Bites and Choco Taco’s in my little black book of favorite foods. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – this cheddary, oozy, black box of noodles was my comfort food. Ah, the wonders of Stouffer’s Microwavable Macaroni and Cheese.