PW's Macaroni and Cheese

I must confess that I have scarred my children somewhat but, to be honest I don't feel ALL that guilty about it.  I turned my back on processed foods a few years ago.  Now then, don't go thinking I am perfect and make everything homemade.  I am not there yet, but I am working on it.  One of the things that never graces my pantry cupboard is Macaroni & Cheese.  I didn't really think too much about it until last summer.  We had a couple of weeks of successive visits to Chili's for my kids birthdays and other special occasions.  Each of the three times we ate there, all three of my children ordered Macaroni & Cheese.  This caused my husband to grumble on the first visit, as he does not consider this to be a meal, but rather a side dish to accompany some sort of meat.  He caved, however, as it was his baby girl's 4th birthday.  Who can deny the birthday girl, right?  So, two more trips occurred resulting in a total of 9 dishes of Mac & Cheese.  Finally, at the restaurant table, he looks at me and asks "Why?".  In this one cosmic moment, time stood still and I evaluated the question...."Why?".  The answer....my kids don't get Macaroni & Cheese at home.  I have tried my own science experiment of a recipe and countless others.  So, on the theme of eating our way through Pioneer Woman's recipes (both out of her cookbook and website), Kenzie asked to make PW's Macaroni and Cheese the other night. 

The recipe calls for a full pound of cheddar cheese, how could one go wrong.  I will say that there is a variation to the recipe.  You can either make it and serve it immediately or you can bake it for 30 minutes.  So, here rings my verdict.  Initially, I was dissappointed.  The consistency is beautiful and inticing, but I could taste the flour in the gravy and wasn't lovin' it.  So, we ate it gladly with joyful hearts, thanking God for food on our table, then put it away in the fridge.

It is important to take note here, that I do not own a microwave.  And, yes, this is by choice.  I have a rather large soapbox about microwaves.  My grandmother never had one and she survived countless ailments including cancer, AND she managed to feed her family.  I just don't understand how radiating food can be good.  I mean, I was programmed as a young child to shiver when hearing the word "radiate" said aloud.  That being shared with you, last night we had to re-heat the mac & cheese which means we had to stick it in the oven and wait about 20 minutes for it to heat through.  At this point, what have I done?  I have baked it, which is the other option she offered.  I will tell you, it was pretty darn good!  Was it Kraft? No.  Was it worthy of making again?  Definitely, if you are interested in saving the memories of your children!

Prairie Kerri