Bride vs. Groom Mac and Cheese Challenge

Two shall enter, one shall leave. Last week my fiancee and I went head to head in a challenge to determine who was the Mac and Cheese champ. We both had to use quinoa elbow macaroni and our dishes had to include cheese. Other than that, in the end only one would come out victorious. Let's announce our two contendddddeeeerrrrssss ...

In the left corner, with quinoa macaroni, gruyere and parmesan cheese mix, fresh spinach and whole wheat bread crumb topping we have My Fiancee's Spinach Baked Mac and Cheese. 

Ingredients (serves 4):

1/2 lb. quinoa elbow macaroni

1/2 cup grated gruyere cheese

1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese

3 cups spinach

1 tbsp. unsalted butter

2 cups milk

1/4 cup green onions

1 clove garlic

2 tbsp. flour

1/2 cup whole wheat bread crumbs

1. Boil the quinoa macaroni in boiling salted water.

2. In a pan over a medium-low heat, add butter, chopped garlic, diced green onions, salt and black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until ingredients begin to brown.

3. Add the flour and milk into the mixture, whisking for 30 seconds. Let the pan come to a rolling boil.

4. When boiling, add the cheese and mix, cooking for 3 minutes.

5. Drain the macaroni and add to a mixing bowl with the fresh spinach and cheese mixture. Toss for 1 to 2 minutes until macaroni is coated and spinach begins to wilt.

6. Add to a an 8 inch square pan and top with the bread crumbs. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes.

7. Serve and, according to my fiancee, deliver a knockout blow to the competition!

And in the right corner, also with quinoa pasta, cheddar and parmesan cheese mix, peas, shallots, and cured proscuitto we have My Cheese Macs with Proscuitto and Peas.

Ingredients (serves 4):

1/2 lb. quinoa elbow macaroni

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/3 cup parmesan cheese

2 tbsp. butter

6 slices American prosciutto

1/4 bag frozen peas

1 shallot

1. Boil the quinoa macaroni and peas in boiling salted water.

2. In a pan over a medium-low heat, add butter, diced shallots, and salt. Cook for 3 minutes until ingredients begin to brown. 

3. Add the flour and milk into the mixture, whisking for 30 seconds. Let the pan come to a rolling boil.

4. When boiling, add the cheese and mix, cooking for 3 minutes.

5. Drain the macaroni and peas and add to a mixing bowl with the cheese mixture. Toss for 1  minute until macaroni is coated and add the prosciutto.

6. Serve and hit the competition with a counter blow!

And the winner is, by TKO after 12 rounds ... My Fiancee's Spinach Baked Mac and Cheese. The crunchy crust added another dimension to the mac and cheese although I think a little sausage or chicken added to the mix could have put this competition out of reach after 8 rounds.  Try it for yourselves and find your own champion. Enjoy!