My Mom's Super Easy Dutch Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

What every caregiver needs--quick, easy, and yummy recipes. I'll get right to the recipe but will include the story behind this deliciousness at the end for anyone interested. 

Ingredients

1 large pkg. of elbow macaroni (I used Barilla Gluten Free 12 oz box)

8 oz can of DAK ham

4 Tbsp. of butter (try Kerrygold Naturally Salted Pure Irish Butter)

1 cup milk (I used Lactaid 100 percent lactose free)

2 cubes chicken bouillon

1 cup (I used way more) Gouda Cheese and/or Old Amsterdam, grated (I added Sharp Cheddar) ... The amount of cheese is your preference. Just keep tasting I say.


4 eggs, beaten

Nutmeg to taste

And a pinch of pepper



Directions

Cook macaroni in boiling water. Remove from heat and drain. Return to pot. Chop ham into bite-size pieces and add. Stir in butter, milk, bouillon, then cheese, beaten eggs, and nutmeg.

Place macaroni mixture in glass baking dish. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top if you like. Bake for half an hour at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Smaakelek eeten!

ps: My cousin from Holland says I need to add creme fraiche. Sounds expensive, maybe its just sour cream.

*****

I've never been a great cook or ever wanted to be. However, life changed when I became a caregiver. Preparing 3 meals plus healthy snacks per day requires creativity, endurance, patience, and a love for cooking. Yuck. This routine can really get you into a downer, as most caregivers know. 

So I began a hunt for quick and easy recipes and learned that some of mom's creations are way simpler than I thought especially her mac & cheese. She's been deceiving me all these years. Just kidding. She's forever told me cooking can be fun and simple, and I'm afraid I'm turning into Susie Homemaker. It's wonderfully disturbing. File it under "How to Enjoy the Caregiver's Journey." 

pps: My potatoes are growing. And I harvested two pumpkins from our backyard. I'm making apple jam with apples from our tree, and planning to pick clean both our pomegranate trees to attempt a gourmet jam recipe. I wish I lived on a farm.

So a little advice for caregivers: Bloom where God plants you. Find the joy, His joy, in the everyday things. Blessings my friends. 

Noodle Mansion

"Oh no!" said the cook

"We've got nothing to eat

Spaghetti again

with basil too sweet

There's noodles with salmon

And sausages baked

In sauces too spicy

with  red chili flakes

Alfredo with garlic

Did not sit well

Linguine with pesto

Was a hard sell

But today in the mansion

It's Macaroni and Cheese

With Amsterdam, Gouda

And ham if you please."

  

Get the best Cheese here at Neuske's. 
Also, feast your eyes on yummy hams and desserts.
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Apple, Asparagus, and Smoked Chicken Salad !

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