Page 3

Dada’s Homemade Mac ‘n Cheese

Ingredients:

4 Tablespoons of butter

4 Tablespoons of flour

2½ Cups of milk

1 Box of macaroni

1 Pound of Velveeta cheese

A dash of salt and pepper

Optional: Lil’ Smokies (cut into bite-sized pieces), diced ham, broccoli

Tools:

Large pot for cooking pasta

Saucepan

Large baking dish

Measuring cups and spoons

Whisk and large spoon

Large strainer

Aluminum foil

Directions:

1. Wash hands and preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Boil water in large pot and cook pasta for 1 minute less than the box directs. I suggest the parent add the pasta and watch the water while you ask your toddler to cut the Velveeta into chunks. This is a very soft cheese and easy to cut with a butter knife. Optional: add broccoli to last minute of cooking. Drain pasta (and broccoli) into strainer (mom or dad’s job!)

3. Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the flour. Whisk for 1-2 minutes.

4. Add the milk and continue to whisk until the sauce thickens. Depending on your comfort level, you can allow your toddler to whisk or keep working on dicing the cheese.

5. Continue whisking while you ask your toddler to hand you the cheese. Add a little bit at a time while whisking.

6. Place macaroni into your favorite ceramic baking dish and mix in cheese sauce. Optional: Mix in any additions like Lil’ Smokies (Dada’s favorite).

7. Ask your little fussy eater to season with salt and pepper, then cover with aluminum foil.

8. Bake for at 350 degrees for 30 minutes covered and an additional 15 minutes uncovered.

For more tips to get your fussy eater excited about mealtime, try making mealtime a fun activity with books and games!

Brittany Ferrell has a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Education. She has worked as an elementary school teacher for twelve years and was awarded "Teacher of the Year" 2011. In February 2014, Brittany and her wonderful husband, Jerome welcomed their miracle, Madeline Olivia to the world and she has chronicled her struggle to become a parent in her published memoir, "From Dream to Dream Come True: My Journey to Motherhood". Brittany writes about her fairy tale dream come true of motherhood on her blog, A Mama Tale.