Comfort Food...Why do we love it?

There is something to be said about a warm, comforting meal that not only warms our body but also warms the soul. Why do we gravitate towards these foods in the winter months? Why do these meals commonly unveil the depths of our soul as we gather with family and savor the insanely good aspects of each bite. I would be remiss if I did not share with you tonight my recipe for the mother of all comfort meals...macaroni and cheese!

Insanely good Mac and Cheese

In a sauce pan bring 2 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add 1 box of penne pasta and cook 7-8 minutes or until al dente. drain. Prepare a casserole dish by coating it with butter.

In a bigger sauce pan over medium heat melt 1/2 cup of butter and add 1/2 cup of onion, a pinch of salt and a pinch of pepper...stir until tender. Stir in 1/2 cup flour and stir constantly until mixture is a brown nutty color. Slowly add in 2 cups of milk. Add
16 ou of havarti cheese
8 ou of french swiss cheese
8 ou of white cheddar cheese
16 ou of sharp cheddar cheese

Stir until all is melted and it forms into a thick creamy sauce. Add in penne and stir until all is coated. Pour into prepared casserole dish.

In a separate bowl take a small can of mushrooms and drain them. Add in 1/2 cup of sour cream and with an immersion blender cream together. With a wooden spoon, take the creamed mixture and slice through parts of the casserole. (Semi-distributing it throughout the casserole). Coat the top of the mac and cheese with a layer of Italian bread crumbs. Bake in the oven at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes.

 Enjoy!

** Did you know that mac and cheese as been around since the 14th century! It was made with fresh, hand-cut pasta which was sandwiched between a mixture of melted butter and cheese. The recipe given was "Take and make a thynne foyle of dowh. and kerve it on peces, and cast hem on boillyng water & seeþ it wele. take chese and grate it and butter cast bynethen and above as losyns. and serue forth".

~Wikipedia