Veggie Mac n' Cheese (Mac n' Trees)

There are many comfort foods that are delicious but when eaten in large quantities or frequently can become dangerous... I guess I'll say it is dangerous for our health. The funny thing about comfort foods is most people eat them in oversized portions or frequently. Mac n' Cheese is one of those foods. There are several ways folks have attempted to make it lighter. Here is a quick, healthier spin on Mac n' Cheese that I made with the Hyphenates at BronxWorks.

Made 15 reasonably small servings for: hungry youth


Ingredients:
1 quart of boiling water
1 package of Macaroni Elbows
A dash of salt


1 small squash
1 Bunch of Broccoli
1 Bunch of Cauliflower
1 cup of milk
15 oz can of sweet potato puree
1 egg
4 Cups of Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Directions:
Prepare Macaroni Al dente (Cook for 7 minutes. Scoop out macaroni and place to the side. Keep boiling water). Blanch broccoli and cauliflower in the same salted water.  You could also blanch the vegetables durning the last 3 minutes of the macaroni cooking.

Next in a separate pot warm a cup of milk and combine one 15 oz can of Sweet Potato puree. Keep your fire low and beat in one egg lightly and then add the cheese. Stir in the macaroni into the cheese sauce.Pour into baking dish and top with broccoli and or cauliflower alternately. (The kids insisted that the veggies be on top for one pan but at the end everyone ate every bit.)

Bake for 20 minutes and enjoy with a salad. Bon appetit!!