BROCCOLI AND CAULIFLOWER GRATIN MAC 'N CHEESE

Serves 6

Ingredients

• Salt
• 1 small head or bundle broccoli, trimmed into florets
• 1 small head cauliflower or half a large head, trimmed and cut into florets
• 1 pound whole wheat macaroni or penne or other short-cut pasta
• 2 cups sour cream or reduced fat sour cream
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1/3 cup chives, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and grated or crushed into paste
• A few drops of hot sauce
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 1/2 cups grated extra-sharp cheddar cheese, divided

Preparation

Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Salt the water and add the broccoli and cauliflower florets. Boil the vegetables for 5 minutes, then remove them with a spider or a strainer and drain. Add the pasta to the water and under cook by about 2 minutes, then drain.

Meanwhile, combine the sour cream in a large bowl along with the mustard, chives, garlic, hot sauce and salt and pepper, to taste. Add the pasta and cauliflower and two-thirds of the cheese. Stir to combine, then transfer to a casserole or baking dish and cover with the remaining cheese. Cool and chill for a make-ahead meal.

To heat and eat, place the casserole on baking sheet and bake it in the middle of a pre-heated 375°F oven until deeply golden and bubbly, about 40-45 minutes.

With this recipe I steamed the vegetables for five ninutes.  I under cooked the pasta.  I cooked the caserole for 25 minutes instead of 40 to 45.  You will kill the vegetables if you cook it that long.