Macaroni and cheese

 Our family went to Wauconda Farms on a beautiful fall day.  You both had fun climbing on this huge pile of pumpkins.  This year we have been enjoying a beautiful fall as well.  But today it is a cool and rainy fall day in Chicagoland.  I've just gotten home from a nice walk with Kim.  We walked to Starbucks, which is a very pleasant routine we got into over the summer.   Since I don't have to be to work until 11:00 we are able to start walking at 7:00, enjoy a nice long chat over coffee, walk home and still have time to do a few things at home before work.  This has become our guilty pleasure 3 days a week, if we are lucky!

Today we had walked about halfway to the Bucks when we noticed the sky seemed kinda dark.  And then we heard thunder.  We walked faster.  Luckily, we were seated at our cozy table with our steaming cups in our hands when the rain came pouring down!  By the time we finished our chat and our lovely beverages, the rain was letting up, although the sky was still dark.  We walked home at a brisk pace with thunder reminding us to hurry along.

Now, I'm snuggled under a blanket watching CNN as the Chilean miners are being rescued.  It's amazing to watch and I'm wishing I could stay right here all day.  Wow!  They have been trapped since before Ty's birthday!  I can't imagine being trapped underground for 69 or 70 days, with my claustrophobia I would have driven everyone crazy.  It is wonderful to see the men reunited with their families.  Even though I don't know any of these people, I find my eyes filling with tears each time another miner climbs out of the rescue capsule.  (Okay, I'm sure it is no surprise to either of you that your mother is crying about drama on TV!)

All this to say that this is the kind of day that makes me think of "comfort food".  That phrase means different things to different people.  For me it makes me think of foods I grew up with, like mashed potatoes or meatloaf.  Or maybe pizza, my all time favorite food.  But today my taste buds are wishing for macaroni and cheese.  And not the stuff from the blue box!  I'm talking about homemade.  A few years ago I found a good recipe that is easy to make and has the cheesy goodness you expect from a classic mac-n-cheese!

Macaroni and Cheese with Buttery Crumbs

3 tablespoons butter

3 tablespoons flour

2 1/2 cups half and half or whole milk*

1 pound cheddar cheese, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1/2 pound Colby cheese, cut into 1/2 inch pieces

1 tablespoon Dijon mustard*

pinch of nutmeg

pinch of cayenne pepper

salt and pepper

1 pound macaroni

2 tablespoons butter

3/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a shallow 2 quart baking dish.  Begin cooking macaroni in a large pot, according to package directions.  Melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large saucepan.  Add the flour and cook over low heat for 2 minutes stirring constantly.  Add the milk and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly until thickened, about 3 minutes.  Add half of the cheddar and Colby cheeses and cook over low heat, stirring, until melted.  Stir in the  mustard, nutmeg and cayenne; season with the salt and pepper.  

Drain the cooked macaroni and return to the pot.  Add the cheese sauce and the remaining cheese and stir until combined.  Spread the macaroni in the prepared baking dish.

In a small glass bowl, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in a microwave.  Add the bread crumbs, season with salt and pepper and stir until evenly moistened.  Sprinkle the buttered crumbs over the macaroni and bake for 45 minutes, or until bubbling and golden on top.  Let stand for 15 minutes before serving.  Serves 6.

*I use skim milk.

*I use 1/2 tablespoon of Dijon mustard.

This is a great dish to bring to a potluck and the leftovers are great!  I wonder what the rescued miners will be choosing for their first hot meal?  I'm praying that they are enjoying good food, family and peace in their hearts tonight.