STORIES AROUND THE TABLE

This year's Lenten Devotional features stories from parishioners about times they spiritually connected around the table with a loved one. We hope these stories invite you to reflect on times you experienced meaningful connection or the presence of The Spirit through the sharing of food and around the table.

Christmas Mac & Cheese

by Aliesha Hart

March 9, 2023

The Christmas holiday season is a special time for our family, even more so now that my children are adults and live elsewhere. For our family, Christmas is when all of us come together to spend quality time with each other and It’s the holiday that everyone looks forward to seeing one another. As I reflect on the 2019 holiday season it brings back bittersweet memories; my sons were home, my mother, and my mother-in-law were with us, which was an added bonus. It’s much harder these days to get everyone home at the same time. There is something extraordinary about three generations coming together to celebrate the holidays, I feel so blessed to have had that opportunity on multiple occasions. 

We prepared some of the Christmas meal a day ahead and spent the good part of Christmas morning preparing the remainder. The time we spent in the kitchen and around the table that year was very special because it would, unfortunately, be the last Christmas spent with my mother-in-law who lost her battle with cancer eleven months later. The spiritual connection that we shared during that time was something I will always remember. I treasured the time around the dinner table where there were prayers, laughter, storytelling, and plenty of food to enjoy.  

Our family’s favorite side dish to enjoy during the holidays is macaroni and cheese. My sons request it every time they come home to visit. 

Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients: 

• 16 ounces dry macaroni
• 1/3 cup butter
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 2 & 3/4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup light cream
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard powder
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt or to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
• 14 ounces sharp cheddar shredded, approximately 3 ½ cups lightly packed
• 1 ½ ounces fresh Parmesan cheese shredded, approximately ½ cup

Topping:

• 1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoons melted butter
• 2 ounces sharp cheddar shredded, approximately ½ cup lightly packed
• 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese shredded

Instructions: 

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
2. Combine topping ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
3. Cook the macaroni al dente according to the package directions. Drain well, run under cold water, set aside.
4. Meanwhile, melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in flour and onion powder and cook for 2 minutes.
5. Whisk in milk, cream, and seasonings over medium heat. Continue to stir until the mixture thickens. Let boil for 1 minute while stirring.
6. Remove the sauce from the heat and add cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese. Whisk until melted.
7. Stir in macaroni and pour into a 9×13 casserole dish.
8. Top with crumb mixture and bake 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and topping is browned. Do not overcook.