Creamy Macaroni Cheese

we went to the Alexandra Fire Station two Saturdays ago with some friends and their kids. lunch was nearby at the Disney Cafe in Anchorpoint. everything there is Disney theme. the pizza came in mickey shape. Matthew had macaroni cheese and we gave Jo some. Both of them loved it, so i decided to try and make it last weekend. Not bad, but a little too creamy. M even ate all the vege i added.

Creamy Macaroni Cheese
1/2 cup macaroni
1 tbsp butter
1/2 tbsp flour
broccoli
cauliflower
button mushroom
1 cup milk
60g cheddar cheese, grated

1. Cook macaroni, following directions on packaging. Add broccoli and cauliflower to cook in the same pot. Drain and put aside.
2. Melt butter in a oven-proof pot on a stove. Quick-fry the mushroom.
3. Add flour, stirring, creating a roux. Stir in milk to create a creamy base.
4. Add macaroni and vege, stirring well.
5. Add 2/3 of the grated cheese. Mix well.
6. Place in 180oC oven for 20min. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the top. Serve hot.

Sandy's Baked Rice

This is one-dish meal which I cook / bake very often. It's nutritious and tasty and the whole family can eat. The method of cooking is standard and you can throw all sorts of ingredients into the dish. Here's my 1st version...

SANDY'S BAKED RICE I - enough for Matthew and Jo
Carrot, chopped
Shimeiji Mushroom, chopped
Broccoli, chopped
Cauliflower, chopped
Minced chicken or small pieces cod-fish
1/2 cup rice
1-1/2 cup stock or water
Shredded cheddar cheese, if desired
Olive Oil

1. Add olive oil to a heated saucepan.
2. When the oil is hot, add carrot and mushroom. Stir fry till moist (the moisture comes from the mushroom).
3. Add some stock to the saucepan. Allow the stock to boil.
4. Add meat and allow the meat to cook before adding rice.
5. Stir fry rice and add remaining stock and veggie to the saucepan.
6. Turn down the flame to small and allow the rice mixture to simmer till almost dry. Stir occassionally, taking care that the base does not burn.
7. Transfer the rice mixture to a ceramic baking dish or a corningware. Cover with foil and bake at 200oC for 20-30min, till almost dry.
8. Remove from oven and spread shredded cheddar chesse on the rice, if desired.
9. Serve warm.

Notes
* Qty of ingredients as desired.
* Minced garlic and/or shallots may be included.
* I prefer to use shimeji mushroom as they are small and I just use scissors to cut them into small pieces.
* Based on my experience, for 2 adults and 2 kids, rice quantity would be 1-1/2 cup and water/stock quantity would be 4-1/2 cup. For baked rice, liquid qty would be 3x rice quantity.