Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese

It's about time for another update on our kitchen remodel and it's all about ROCKS.  More specifically - granite.  It's pretty much been the topic of all conversations in our house for the last two weeks.  😅 Before you start emailing me, I already know that quartz is the go-to kitchen countertop material right now but I just wasn't convinced that it was the right thing for me.  🤷🏻‍♀️

My search for the perfect rock for our countertops began relatively innocently.  I wandered around some local flooring stores perusing squares of smooth granite but when I couldn't find "the one", I decided to expand my search.  I realized that the problem could have been that I stink at visualization. 😅I don't think that my brain actually possesses the ability to look at a 24" square and imagine it as a countertop in my house.  🤷🏻‍♀️ So, I headed to granite suppliers where I could wander in and out rows and rows of giant slabs of granite.  Turns out it's much easier to envision a rock in my kitchen when I'm standing in front of a slab that's larger than life. 

When I found this giant piece of granite - it was love at first sight. I'm a happily married woman, but I've got a new love in my life. 😂 I think my heart actually skipped a beat when I turned the corner and saw this perfect slab of granite that was without a doubt - MEANT to be in my kitchen.  When you know - you know.  💁🏻‍♀️ I'm just happy that my first love was beside me when I found my new love.  ❤️

​Petrology is the study of rocks.  And after two solid weeks of "studying" slabs of granite - I've basically decided that I am a pertologist.  (I'm pretty sure that I just made up that word.)  😅😅  I learned a lot about different kinds of granite and rocks over the last couple of weeks but I'm not an expert - by any means.  I'm just a girl who fell in love with a beige rock.  😅

Beige is the key word lately.  It perfectly describes my new kitchen palette.  I chose beige cabinets, I have beige walls, beige trim and now - a beautiful beige countertop. 🤷🏻‍♀️ I've never looked at so much beige in my life.  

Since beige seems to be the theme - I'm sharing my recipe for a very beige colored Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese.  The color may be neutral but the flavors in this macaroni and cheese are anything but bland.  The smoky cheese really adds a beautifully bold gusto to this classic dish.  Don't let the beige color fool you - this macaroni and cheese packs a punch.  👊🏻

Smoked Gouda Macaroni and Cheese
1 pound elbow macaroni noodles
½ cup butter
4 Tablespoons flour
1 Tablespoon mustard powder
2 cups half and half
4 oz cream cheese
3 cups smoked Gouda cheese
1 ½ cups cheddar cheese

Cook noodles according to package directions.  

Melt butter in skillet.

Whisk in flour until a paste forms. Whisk in mustard powder. 

Whisk in the 1/2 & 1/2 and bring mixture to a boil. 

Reduce heat and whisk in cream cheese until smooth. 

Stir in cheeses until melted and smooth.

Stir in the noodles until coated evenly.  

Spoon macaroni into a baking dish.

Top with additional cheese and place under the broiler until browned.  

Now that my countertop search has come to an end, I can focus on making meals again.😅 Countertop shopping is consuming - What can I say?  I logged a lot of  hours traversing the state to find granite suppliers this month.  🤷🏻‍♀️  It was all worth it in the end though.  Now that that's done - I can get back to cooking.  

​Ciao!

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