Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

I have been on a cauliflower kick recently. Can you blame me? An organic cauliflower is less than $3 here, and that is a lot of vegetable! So I am always searching for new ways to make it, and here is the most recent incarnation. While this requires several pots/containers, it's fast. And it was good. And less heavy than regular macaroni and cheese.

Cast of characters:
-1/3 block cream cheese
-1 cup milk (we only ever have 1%)
-1/2 head cauliflower, steamed
-Broccoli or other veggies
-1 box pasta (I used farfalle), cooked most of the way through
-Cheese
-Salt, pepper, and any other spices

1. Steam the cauliflower (and maybe the broccoli a bit, if you don't like extra crunchy broccoli), and boil the pasta.  
2. Blend together cream cheese and milk, then blend in 2/3 of the steamed cauliflower. Add pasta, the. Stir to coat.
3. Add remaining cauliflower, broccoli, and a bit of cheese (I put in a very small amount, maybe 1/4 cup, but if you are concerned about cheesy add more). Add spices (at least salt and pepper, then garlic powder and whatever else you like).
4. Pour into casserole dish, top with cheese, and bake at 350 for 30 minutes or until hot.

If I were doing this over again, I would start with caramelized onions. Because you can never go wrong with caramelized onions, and it needed a bit more zip. But it was pretty good, and I am very excited about some homemade macaroni (or farfalle) and cheese that tastes good and doesn't make me feel sick from cheese overload afterward.

In other news, yesterday was a big day: inauguration AND the birth of baby AJH (our niece!). Here's hoping you have a wonderful week!

Mango-Pomegranate Salsa

Sorry I have been slow on updating the blog, but tomorrow is back to reality (classes), and so I will hopefully be back in my updating groove before too long!
 
I know I am a bit late on the festive train, but I had this in Minnesota courtesy of Robin's aunt Nettie.  I cannot state where the recipe is originally from (sorry to whoever it belongs to), but I can state it is delicious. And easy. And pretty good for you!

Cast of characters:
-2 mangoes, peeled and diced
-1/2 c pomegranate seeds
-2 green onions, chopped
-2T dried currants
-4T minced cilantro
-2T fresh lime juice
-2 tsp. jalapeno, minced
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-salt and pepper

-Tortilla chips or some other crispy thing to eat it with 

The best part about it is the lack of need for any directions. Mix it all together, and eat it with something crispy. 

Hope you are all having a lovely start to the new year!