Homemade Mac & Cheese

I was going to take the easy way out...I had already envisioned my dinner: a box of Annie's white cheddar mac and cheese...mmmm I thought, no work for me. But then I got to thinking...mmm white cheddar mac and cheese with broccoli, I'll pick up some broccoli and throw it in too. Then I thought...it's never cheesy enough, I'll pick up some Parmesan too. Then I got to thinking...Oh, and I don't want the whole wheat noodles, I want the rice noodles. And then I thought...why are you getting a box? And so it went, I couldn't do it. Boxes sound convenient but usually they lack creativity and end up being just as much a kitchen full of dishes as any old meal.

At the house I had: brown rice penne pasta (Trader Joe's brand..awesome), white cheddar, garlic and butter. All I had to buy on the way home was some broccoli and Parmesan...and of course some red wine...really my evening was made.

So easily too..

2-3 cups dry brown rice pasta

1 medium crown of broccoli chopped to your specifications

1/2 cup grated white cheddar

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

1/3 stick butter or substitute

garlic cloves, as many as you can stand

olive oil (for sauteing)

red wine (for you)

Boil some water then throw in the pasta for about ten minutes or until edible. Saute broccoli with garlic for a minute or so. Grate cheese. Open wine. Drain pasta, put back in pot, add the broccoli and butter, stir. Slowly add cheeses, stirring the whole time. Add salt and pepper to taste. Taste. Pour yourself some wine. Heap some mac and cheese into a bowl and sit down for some home-cooked comfort food.