Something you may not know about me is I actually really enjoy cooking and trying new recipes. I just lack the motivation, and time, to do it often. One of my favourite times to cook is after a long day at work/school or a long day of studying. Which is exactly what this weekend was to me, one giant weekend full of studying.
I find that cooking is really relaxing, it’s kind of like running to me, you’re mind is focused on one thing and you’re doing it and it’s that focus, that mindless work – chopping, cutting, measuring, tasting – that I enjoy. It doesn’t involve a lot of brainpower, which is a nice break after a long day.
So when this post popped up in my google reader yesterday, I knew what I was making for supper last night. Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese, compliments of Runner’s Kitchen.
After hearing all of the food bloggers rave about it for weeks, I finally picked up some pumpkin filling when I went grocery shopping this weekend and I was excited to try a new recipe with it.
I modified her recipe slightly, here are my ingredients:
Pumpkin Mac n’ Cheese
- 4 cups (dry) whole-wheat pasta
- 1 cup canned pumpkin
- 1.5 cups 1% milk
- 1/4 cup 2% cottage cheese
- 2 laughing cow cheese wedges
- 6 oz reduced-fat cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp bread crumbs
- 0.5 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 0.5 tsp mustard
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp pepper
I followed her directions exactly, the only thing I changed is since I didn’t have any parmesan cheese I mixed in two laughing cow cheese wedges with the pumpkin/milk mixture and sprinkled half the cheddar cheese on top.
I cut mine into six servings and according to Spark People it comes in at 403.6 calories and 9.5 g of fat per serving. Not too bad for Mac n’ Cheese!
I enjoyed it with a salad while I watched Desperate Housewives. Perfect dinner!
Other things I did this weekend included studying, studying and more studying. And I went for a 10K run in the rain on Saturday morning. I put off my run until 10 and when the rain didn’t let up I decided just to run in it – it was actually really fun!
What did you do this weekend? Do you enjoy cooking and/or running in the rain?
PS: If anyone makes this yummy Mac n’ Cheese let me know what you think!
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Mmm, that pumpkin mac ‘n cheese looks really good! This weekend was very food focused for me which is unusual. I attended a dinner party Saturday night, had a TV marathon with a friend Saturday, and then Sunday had a late lunch that ended up lasting all afternoon with some other friends. Delightful!
Oh, and props to you for running in the rain!
DAMN THAT LOOKS GREAT!
I wonder if my husband would “taste” the pumpkin?
I love that you found the time to run in the midst of studying!
That mac ‘n cheese looks good!
I’m incredibly hungry now. I love cooking and don’t do enough of it lately.
I LOVE running in the rain. I find it so freeing and so long as I don’t ruin my MP3 player, I’m good with it.
I’m curious to try that recipe…..its actually something we can cook in the house right now!
Sunday Steve and I went and checked out the new mall and weren’t impressed, just another mall. OHHHH and Friday night i decided to cut my own bangs!!!! LOL I didn’t do too bad a job, nice cheap new look LOL
My weekend started Friday, I had Charlize all day Friday and Saturday which was AWESOME! Love having her over. Friday I woke up with Steve and drove him to work, on the way to work we had breakfast at subway (it was a first) and it wasn’t had! Friday Charlize and I went to the park and built a huge snowman then went shopping. Saturday we just played at the house, took her to swimming lessons and then watched movies after a lonnnnng nap
I LOVE running in the rain!!! And I love cooking
I think I’m going to have to give it a try, it looks (and sounds) so good! I think I’m about to go into pumpkin overload though… it seems like I’m having pumpkin something almost every day… lol!
That looks amazing, I’m definately going to try this recipe. And that run in the rain sounds surprisingly fun.
How is the reduced-fat cheese? I’ve tried cooking with low-fat cheese before and haven’t had much luck. Any tips??
I LOVE to cook. I cook when I’m stressed. I cook when I’m happy. Hmmm….kind of explains the weight problem, since I live alone, someone (me) must EAT the cooking!
The pumpkin mac and cheese looks good…might have to try that.
Running in a warm rain is great. Cold, freezing rain, not so much fun!
H =)
That Mac & Cheese looks amazing! I happen to have a freezer full of last year’s pumpkin, too. Hmm…
Cooking is such great stress relief
@Miz — I could not taste the pumpkin AT ALL. Swear! Your husband would never know, the pumpkin just gives it a creamier consistency without having to use extra cheese of milk!
@Cari — I’ve never had a problem cooking with reduced-fat cheese, before. In fact, I can’t even really taste the difference between the reduced-fat and the full-fat! Do you grate your cheese when you cook with it? That might help! Good luck!
That’s looks AMAZING! My husband made some of his famous mac and cheese this weekend, but it would probably blow Spark People up. I’m totally trying that recipe.
Running in the rain makes me giggle like a dork every time I do it. Don’t know why. I just love it.
I made a pumpkin mac & cheese recently as well! They do seem to go perfectly together don’t they?
that does look yummy! Glad you had a fun weekend Amber.
I’m so trying that recipe this week! It looks amazing!
Yay, glad you liked the recipe! My family was totally stumped when I told them that I had included a secret ingredient (pumpkin!). Congrats on your rainy run – the toughest part is getting started
Pumkin mac & cheese?? Could be awful… could be pure brilliance. You say its good so maybe I should give it a go…
Wow. That looks so yummy! I might have to try it.
I attempted a run which didn’t go too well. But I haven’t ran in over 3 months so…yeah.
I am SO printing off that recipe, looks and sound delish!
I enjoy running in the mist but not sure I could get my butt off the couch in a down pour. You rock!
That mac & cheese does look really interesting. Except I’m not a fan of mac & cheese, so I probably won’t be trying it. I could see a being great as a Thanksgiving side dish for some people though.
I totally got caught in the rain at the end of my 10 ‘er, but luckily it was only the last 5 min. But the sky sure opened up! I was drenched like that.
Pumpkin Mac and Cheese? Consider my mind blown. That sounds delicious. When its rainy and cold I do tend to want to bake more — breads, baked goods, soups and chillis.
That looks absolutely heavenly!!!
Cause I’m so busy between uni and work at the mo (although BF does most of the cooking, yay!) I like short and sweet recipes that cook fast. Seriously, I get home ravenous and do NOT want to wait for dinner!
But last night we made moussaka, which took over an hour, and it was sooo worth the wait.
Holy yum. I should try this. I wonder how GF pasta would hold up. Guess there is no way to find out but to give it a try. Maybe this will be my carb loading meal next Friday??
I like to cook as well. It’s relaxing for me too. especially the chopping part.
But I do NOT like to run in the rain. I hate when it gets in my eyes becuase then my contacts get all whacky and I am a paranoid that one is goign to fall out and then I would have no way to get home because I am like blind w/out them! But my sister LOVES running in the rain!
what the f is that green stuff in your beer mug.
Oooh, I am definitely trying that pumpkin mac and cheese! I’ll let you know how it turns out!
That run in the rain sounds like fun!
I am cracking up at the comment above me! LOL!
I like to run in the rain, and I like to cook always! I agree that cooking is very relaxing
I always go all out when I have people over for dinner, and they always say that I went to too much fuss – what they don’t know is that I enjoy it, and it makes me happy!
Pumpkin mac and cheese sounds yummy! I’ll have to try it sometime
if I liked cheese, I think I would love that pumpkin mac and cheese! looks good in the photo at least! I do enjoy cooking, though sometimes it stresses me out, particularly if I am trying a new recipe or juggling a bunch of this at once. I am not so good at timing things… but I did cook a nice, yummy dinner tonight. Dijon mustard rubbed pork chops with biscuits, cinnamon applesauce and steamed broccoli, cauliflower and carrots (the kind that comes in a bag, maybe not the best, but fast and easy!). Considering that I kind of just winged it on the pork chops and just mixed up my own honey mustard dipping sauce, it came out really tasty! the boys (my boy and the roommate) loved it too, which is always good.
as for running in the rain, can’t say I have. unless you count running out of the rain and inside! haha. glad you had fun though. great pic, too.
I wish I was good at cooking! I don’t like cheese, but I looove pumpkin
Seriously! Pumpkin Mac and Cheese … OMG … I want this, it is all I am going to think about this afternoon!
Sounds good, Amber! Will definitely try it out!!!
xoxo,
Karina
Love your blog!
If you don’t mind me asking, where did you purchase your planner? Looks like the perfect size.
I am fairly organized, but would like to start a planner. You have given me inspiration! Thanks for sharing.
Jenn