Daisy > wrote in
:

> I watched a US-based program called Behind the Bash the other
> night and the TV hostess (Gina something) was touring the
> kitchen at this celebrity function and one of the items to be
> served was Macaroni Cheese.
>
> This dish was also among those at a very smart dinner party I
> went to at a physician's home recently in San Francisco, and
> seemed to be enjoyed by many of the local guests.
>
> I have only ever known macaroni cheese as a nursery food, or a
> dish served to small children. It is frequently served for
> lunch at one of my grandchildren's daycare centres, and I have
> made it often for the smaller grandchildren when they visit.
>
> Is this commonly eaten by adults in the USA? I don't think I
> ever saw it on a dinner menu at restaurants there.
>
> Just curious.
>
>
> Daisy

We used it as a substitute for potatoes when we had some baked ham.
Maybe about 2-4 times a year. It was not a popular main food in
our household and still isn't. Yes, I'm in the USA and I haven't
had mac and cheese in Many years!!! Just thoughts but... maybe
it's for the lazy or tired or hurried cooks? Many people love the
stuff. I can do without it for another 10 to 20 years. Nobody in
my neighborhood (kids included) eat much mac & cheese.

sandie wrote:
> Daisy > wrote in
> :
>
>> I watched a US-based program called Behind the Bash the other
>> night and the TV hostess (Gina something) was touring the
>> kitchen at this celebrity function and one of the items to be
>> served was Macaroni Cheese.
>>
>> This dish was also among those at a very smart dinner party I
>> went to at a physician's home recently in San Francisco, and
>> seemed to be enjoyed by many of the local guests.
>>
>> I have only ever known macaroni cheese as a nursery food, or a
>> dish served to small children. It is frequently served for
>> lunch at one of my grandchildren's daycare centres, and I have
>> made it often for the smaller grandchildren when they visit.
>>
>> Is this commonly eaten by adults in the USA? I don't think I
>> ever saw it on a dinner menu at restaurants there.
>>
>> Just curious.
>>
>>
>> Daisy
>
> We used it as a substitute for potatoes when we had some baked ham.
> Maybe about 2-4 times a year. It was not a popular main food in
> our household and still isn't. Yes, I'm in the USA and I haven't
> had mac and cheese in Many years!!! Just thoughts but... maybe
> it's for the lazy or tired or hurried cooks? Many people love the
> stuff. I can do without it for another 10 to 20 years. Nobody in
> my neighborhood (kids included) eat much mac & cheese.

Mom used it as a main dish. She hated to cook but (bless her) she never
used the Blue Box! She'd stir diced ham into her mac & cheese and toss a
small salad and that was dinner for my brothers and me and Dad. He didn't
seem to care. She did the same thing with scalloped potatoes and au gratin
potatoes.

Jill

"sandie" > wrote in message
enews.net...
snip
Just thoughts but... maybe
> it's for the lazy or tired or hurried cooks? Many people love the
> stuff. I can do without it for another 10 to 20 years. Nobody in
> my neighborhood (kids included) eat much mac & cheese.

I can't see it for lazy/tired cooks -- I mean you need one pot to boil the
macaroni, a collander to drain the macaroni, another pot to make the white
sauce (measure the milk, flour and butter), you gotta shred the cheese, heat
the oven, find another dish to put the combined mixture into and then bake
the stuff. There's got to be an easier meal if one is lazy. ;o} Unless you
were thinking the making the boxed stuff?
Janet

"Janet B." > wrote

> I can't see it for lazy/tired cooks -- I mean you need one pot to boil the
> macaroni, a collander to drain the macaroni, another pot to make the
> white sauce (measure the milk, flour and butter), you gotta shred the
> cheese, heat the oven, find another dish to put the combined mixture into
> and then bake the stuff. There's got to be an easier meal if one is lazy.
> ;o}

So funny, and so right. Takes what seems like every pot and pan
and bowl in the place to make mac n cheese. And you forgot the
pan and blender to make the buttered bread crumbs.

nancy

"Nancy Young" > wrote in message
. ..
>
> "Janet B." > wrote
>
>> I can't see it for lazy/tired cooks -- I mean you need one pot to boil
>> the macaroni, a collander to drain the macaroni, another pot to make the
>> white sauce (measure the milk, flour and butter), you gotta shred the
>> cheese, heat the oven, find another dish to put the combined mixture into
>> and then bake the stuff. There's got to be an easier meal if one is
>> lazy. ;o}
>
> So funny, and so right. Takes what seems like every pot and pan
> and bowl in the place to make mac n cheese. And you forgot the
> pan and blender to make the buttered bread crumbs.
>
> nancy
I thought about the pan and blender and figured that if I were a lazy cook I
wouldn't add that refinement. I've got one of those mini blenders (3 cups?)
that does the bread crumbs -- just used it last night for the crumbs on the
cauliflower. I love that little blender as it is easier to get out and use
that most anything else in my kitchen.
Janet

Janet B. wrote:
> "sandie" > wrote in message
> enews.net...
> snip
> Just thoughts but... maybe
>> it's for the lazy or tired or hurried cooks? Many people love the
>> stuff. I can do without it for another 10 to 20 years. Nobody in
>> my neighborhood (kids included) eat much mac & cheese.
>
> I can't see it for lazy/tired cooks -- I mean you need one pot to
> boil the macaroni, a collander to drain the macaroni, another pot to
> make the white sauce (measure the milk, flour and butter), you gotta
> shred the cheese, heat the oven, find another dish to put the
> combined mixture into and then bake the stuff. There's got to be an
> easier meal if one is lazy. ;o} Unless you were thinking the making
> the boxed stuff?
> Janet

The funny thing is the boxed stuff takes about the same time and equipment,
which is why I never understood the boxed stuff. You still have to boil the
pasta; you still have to strain it. You still need a pan to mix the milk
and butter in with the powdered "cheese". And then stir it into the cooked
macaroni. If you're like me, you'll want to bake it, not eat it from the
stove-top mixture. So yes, that means you'll add some buttered crumbs on
top. Maybe even add some diced ham or bacon or (gasp!) ground beef! But
even if you don't opt to bake it, the steps are the same as when using the
boxed mix, so why not just make it from scratch rather than use powdered
cheese? The only reason I can think of is it's less expensive, which these
days means a lot to me. But I'm still going to make my own macaroni &
cheese, thanks. (Sorry, Michael!)

Jill

"jmcquown" > wrote in message
...
> Janet B. wrote:
>> "sandie" > wrote in message
>> enews.net...
>> snip
>> Just thoughts but... maybe
>>> it's for the lazy or tired or hurried cooks? Many people love the
>>> stuff. I can do without it for another 10 to 20 years. Nobody in
>>> my neighborhood (kids included) eat much mac & cheese.
>>
>> I can't see it for lazy/tired cooks -- I mean you need one pot to
>> boil the macaroni, a collander to drain the macaroni, another pot to
>> make the white sauce (measure the milk, flour and butter), you gotta
>> shred the cheese, heat the oven, find another dish to put the
>> combined mixture into and then bake the stuff. There's got to be an
>> easier meal if one is lazy. ;o} Unless you were thinking the making
>> the boxed stuff?
>> Janet
>
> The funny thing is the boxed stuff takes about the same time and
> equipment,
> which is why I never understood the boxed stuff. You still have to boil
> the
> pasta; you still have to strain it. You still need a pan to mix the milk
> and butter in with the powdered "cheese". And then stir it into the
> cooked
> macaroni. If you're like me, you'll want to bake it, not eat it from the
> stove-top mixture. So yes, that means you'll add some buttered crumbs on
> top. Maybe even add some diced ham or bacon or (gasp!) ground beef! But
> even if you don't opt to bake it, the steps are the same as when using the
> boxed mix, so why not just make it from scratch rather than use powdered
> cheese? The only reason I can think of is it's less expensive, which
> these
> days means a lot to me. But I'm still going to make my own macaroni &
> cheese, thanks. (Sorry, Michael!)
>
> Jill
>
>
Oh, oh. You need the help of an 'experienced cook' ;o} You need a pot with
a lid. You boil the mac in the pot, hold the lid over the pot (slightly
askew) and drain the pot over the sink. You put the pot and contents back
on the stove and toss in the milk, butter and powdered cheese and stir.
Serve from pot. Now that is easy and lazy camp cooking. Enjoy!!!
Janet

"Janet B." > wrote in
:

>
> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Janet B. wrote:
>>> "sandie" > wrote in message
>>> enews.net..
>>> . snip
>>> Just thoughts but... maybe
>>>> it's for the lazy or tired or hurried cooks? Many people
>>>> love the stuff. I can do without it for another 10 to 20
>>>> years. Nobody in my neighborhood (kids included) eat much
>>>> mac & cheese.
>>>
>>> I can't see it for lazy/tired cooks -- I mean you need one
>>> pot to boil the macaroni, a collander to drain the macaroni,
>>> another pot to make the white sauce (measure the milk,
>>> flour and butter), you gotta shred the cheese, heat the
>>> oven, find another dish to put the combined mixture into and
>>> then bake the stuff. There's got to be an easier meal if
>>> one is lazy. ;o} Unless you were thinking the making the
>>> boxed stuff? Janet
>>
>> The funny thing is the boxed stuff takes about the same time
>> and equipment,
>> which is why I never understood the boxed stuff. You still
>> have to boil the
>> pasta; you still have to strain it. You still need a pan to
>> mix the milk and butter in with the powdered "cheese". And
>> then stir it into the cooked
>> macaroni. If you're like me, you'll want to bake it, not eat
>> it from the stove-top mixture. So yes, that means you'll add
>> some buttered crumbs on top. Maybe even add some diced ham
>> or bacon or (gasp!) ground beef! But even if you don't opt
>> to bake it, the steps are the same as when using the boxed
>> mix, so why not just make it from scratch rather than use
>> powdered cheese? The only reason I can think of is it's less
>> expensive, which these
>> days means a lot to me. But I'm still going to make my own
>> macaroni & cheese, thanks. (Sorry, Michael!)
>>
>> Jill
>>
>>
> Oh, oh. You need the help of an 'experienced cook' ;o} You
> need a pot with a lid. You boil the mac in the pot, hold the
> lid over the pot (slightly askew) and drain the pot over the
> sink. You put the pot and contents back on the stove and toss
> in the milk, butter and powdered cheese and stir. Serve from
> pot. Now that is easy and lazy camp cooking. Enjoy!!! Janet

<GRIN> Yup. That's what I was talkin' 'bout.

sandi wrote on 21 Sep 2006 in rec.food.cooking

> "Janet B." > wrote in
> :
>
> >
> > "jmcquown" > wrote in message
> > ...
> >> Janet B. wrote:
> >>> "sandie" > wrote in message
> >>> enews.net..
> >>> . snip
> >>> Just thoughts but... maybe
> >>>> it's for the lazy or tired or hurried cooks? Many people
> >>>> love the stuff. I can do without it for another 10 to 20
> >>>> years. Nobody in my neighborhood (kids included) eat much
> >>>> mac & cheese.
> >>>
> >>> I can't see it for lazy/tired cooks -- I mean you need one
> >>> pot to boil the macaroni, a collander to drain the macaroni,
> >>> another pot to make the white sauce (measure the milk,
> >>> flour and butter), you gotta shred the cheese, heat the
> >>> oven, find another dish to put the combined mixture into and
> >>> then bake the stuff. There's got to be an easier meal if
> >>> one is lazy. ;o} Unless you were thinking the making the
> >>> boxed stuff? Janet
> >>
> >> The funny thing is the boxed stuff takes about the same time
> >> and equipment,
> >> which is why I never understood the boxed stuff. You still
> >> have to boil the
> >> pasta; you still have to strain it. You still need a pan to
> >> mix the milk and butter in with the powdered "cheese". And
> >> then stir it into the cooked
> >> macaroni. If you're like me, you'll want to bake it, not eat
> >> it from the stove-top mixture. So yes, that means you'll add
> >> some buttered crumbs on top. Maybe even add some diced ham
> >> or bacon or (gasp!) ground beef! But even if you don't opt
> >> to bake it, the steps are the same as when using the boxed
> >> mix, so why not just make it from scratch rather than use
> >> powdered cheese? The only reason I can think of is it's less
> >> expensive, which these
> >> days means a lot to me. But I'm still going to make my own
> >> macaroni & cheese, thanks. (Sorry, Michael!)
> >>
> >> Jill
> >>
> >>
> > Oh, oh. You need the help of an 'experienced cook' ;o} You
> > need a pot with a lid. You boil the mac in the pot, hold the
> > lid over the pot (slightly askew) and drain the pot over the
> > sink. You put the pot and contents back on the stove and toss
> > in the milk, butter and powdered cheese and stir. Serve from
> > pot. Now that is easy and lazy camp cooking. Enjoy!!! Janet
>
> <GRIN> Yup. That's what I was talkin' 'bout.
>

Add a dolop or two of cheese whiz as well, when you add the powdered
cheese.

--


Curiosity killed the cat, but for a while I was a suspect

-Alan

"jmcquown" > wrote in

> The funny thing is the boxed stuff takes about the same time
> and equipment, which is why I never understood the boxed
> stuff. You still have to boil the pasta; you still have to
> strain it. You still need a pan to mix the milk and butter in
> with the powdered "cheese". And then stir it into the cooked
> macaroni.

I've seen 'kids' do the 'blue box' all in one pan. REALLLY!
That's what I meant by lazy. :-)


> If you're like me, you'll want to bake it, not eat
> it from the stove-top mixture. So yes, that means you'll add
> some buttered crumbs on top. Maybe even add some diced ham or
> bacon or (gasp!) ground beef! But even if you don't opt to
> bake it, the steps are the same as when using the boxed mix,
> so why not just make it from scratch rather than use powdered
> cheese? The only reason I can think of is it's less
> expensive, which these days means a lot to me. But I'm still
> going to make my own macaroni & cheese, thanks. (Sorry,
> Michael!)
>
> Jill
>
>
>

jmcquown wrote:

>
> The funny thing is the boxed stuff takes about the same time and equipment,
> which is why I never understood the boxed stuff. You still have to boil the
> pasta; you still have to strain it. You still need a pan to mix the milk
> and butter in with the powdered "cheese". And then stir it into the cooked
> macaroni. If you're like me, you'll want to bake it, not eat it from the
> stove-top mixture. So yes, that means you'll add some buttered crumbs on
> top. Maybe even add some diced ham or bacon or (gasp!) ground beef! But
> even if you don't opt to bake it, the steps are the same as when using the
> boxed mix, so why not just make it from scratch rather than use powdered
> cheese? The only reason I can think of is it's less expensive, which these
> days means a lot to me. But I'm still going to make my own macaroni &
> cheese, thanks. (Sorry, Michael!)
>
> Jill
>
>

When I make blue box it's just one pan, half a stick of butter or less and the
bowl to eat it from, a wooden spoon and a fork.
When I make homemade I need the pan for the noodles and the pan for the cheese
sauce and the casserole dish to bake it in. Blue box takes me 15 minutes from
start to finish to make, scratch takes 30 minutes or more just to assemble and
then 40 minutes in the oven. I also end up dirtying multiple bowls, the food
processor, wooden spoons and whisks. I need to have cheese, milk, eggs, flour,
butter and noodles on hand for scratch and just butter for blue box.

I'm not saying blue box is better, but it truly is more convenient, has fewer
steps, fewer ingredients needed and less clean up. I love homemade but it's
definitely a production.

--
..:Heather:.
www.velvet-c.com
I thought I was driving by Gettysburg once but it ends up I was just driving
by your mom's house.

In article >,
"Janet B." > wrote:

> I can't see it for lazy/tired cooks -- I mean you need one pot to boil the
> macaroni, a collander to drain the macaroni, another pot to make the white
> sauce (measure the milk, flour and butter), you gotta shred the cheese, heat
> the oven, find another dish to put the combined mixture into and then bake
> the stuff. There's got to be an easier meal if one is lazy. ;o} Unless you
> were thinking the making the boxed stuff?

Amen on the homemade stuff. I don't judge by what I have to cook or
prep. Only on what I have to clean.
I clean as I go if at all possible.

leo

--
<http://web0.greatbasin.net/~leo/>