No Longer Got the Blues

"Put the blue box down and walk away slowly. Keep your hands where we can see them."

If I had known just how easy homemade mac and cheese could be I would have tried it a long time ago. Then again, it's made a LOT easier with Thor. You can use up leftover odd bits of cheese, play around with whatever veggies you have on hand, even omit the pasta altogether convert it into a gratin.

Better-Than-Box Mac & Cheese

Serves 4

5 ounces uncooked macaroni

2 cups frozen or fresh broccoli

5 ounces extra sharp Cheddar

2 ounces Gorgonzola dulce (or other mild blue cheese)

1 cup hot milk

2 tablespoons flour

1/4 small onion

1 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 small garlic clove

2 tablespoons toasted wheat germ

3-4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add macaroni and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente, Drain well and pour into prepared casserole dish. Distribute broccoli over pasta.

Meanwhile, place the cheese, hot milk, flour, onion, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, salt and garlic in the container of the Vita-Mix. Start on #1 variable, increase speed to #10. Blend until cheese is melted and onion is incorporated.

Pour cheese mixture over macaroni. Sprinkle top with wheat germ and Parmesan cheese. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes.