Appenzeller Mac and Cheese

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 16 ounces shell pasta
• 3 cups chopped cauliflower florets (chopped into 1-1 ½ inch pieces) 
• 2 cups whole milk 
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 1 tsp salt 
• ½ tsp black pepper 
• ½ cup unsalted butter 
• ½ cup all purpose flour 
• 2 ½ cups grated Appenzeller cheese

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. 
2. Lightly grease a 2-quart baking dish. Set aside. 
3. In a large pot, add water and heat until boiling. Add macaroni and cauliflower and cook for 6 minutes, or until macaroni is tender. Drain and set aside. 
4. In a medium mixing bowl, stir together milk, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Set aside. 
5. In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, melt butter. Add flour and whisk to combine.  Slowly add milk and whisk until smooth.  
6. Continue to whisk frequently until mixture thickens and begin to boil. 
7. Remove saucepan from heat and add Appenzeller cheese. Stir until cheese is melted. 
8. In a large mixing bowl, stir together cheese mixture with pasta and cauliflower mixture. Transfer to greased baking dish. 
9. Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until edges begin to bubble. 

The Creative Kitchen™, LLC, teaches children about food and how to cook in a fun, safe, and educational manner. Targeting families with children ages two to teen, the company focuses on teaching, writing creative content and curriculum, special events, recipe development, spokesperson work, webisode production and consulting to present educational and entertaining content through food-related activities. The founder, Cricket Azima, is an expert in cooking for and with children. She inspires kids to express themselves creatively through food and cooking, while complementing lessons with traditional educational material such as social studies, math, arts, science, and more. Visit www.thecreativekitchen.com for more information.