Never worse for a walk
Microwave Macaroni Cheese
Even when you don’t feel like it. Especially when you don’t feel like it. I never feel worse for doing it. It’s getting going that’s the hard part.
A couple of weeks ago I read this post on LinkedIn. The post author Rowan talks about the “Doorstep Mile”. In its name, it’s not something I was familiar with, yet it was something that I already knew.
As someone who walks regularly and runs reluctantly, I’d say things like getting your kit on is the hardest part, or I never return from a walk wishing I hadn’t, or I feel like I’m getting into it now (just as I was reaching the end of my slow few miles of running).
It’s even harder as the days get shorter, the temperature gets colder and the weather relentlessly draws in. Many, many excuses to contend with. Reassess routines to make room. A necessary seasonal shift.
This winter, we made a pact (my husband and me), to walk every day come rain or shine, because we know how important daylight, fresh air and movement are as an antidote to hours in the same room staring at the same computer working from home.
The weather weathers, and we look out the window at the grey mizzle. Get your coat! And of course there are days when the sun still shines. Those rare winter days when the air is crisp cold and the sun reaches out her arms trying to cover as much land as she can in so little time.
We’ve been rewarded with connection, joy, awe and amusement on lunchtime walks this week alone.
Deep conversation. Damp pine cones gathered for a Christmas centrepiece. Doughnuts were purchased and brought home to enjoy with a cup of tea. Bleak skies, blue skies or heavenly clouds, the view out to the North Downs is always worth walking for and stopping for.
And the amusing one? Well, I’m not sure that should be mentioned in polite company.
Microwave Macaroni Cheese
After last week’s anti-meal-prep post, I’m here with another make-ahead meal: homemade microwave macaroni cheese.
You’ve been hunched over your desk all morning. It’s cold. You can’t be bothered to cook but cannot face a cold, sad sandwich.
A few minutes reheat in the microwave and it’s done.
What could be better than a plate of hot comfort food on a winter’s day? Perfect pre- or post-walk food!
Ingredients
(makes enough for approx 6-7portions)
1l milk
100g butter
8 tbsp plain flour
200g mature cheddar
Ground nutmeg
English mustard
Salt & pepper
500g pack of macaroni
To make
In a saucepan, make a roux by melting the butter and adding the flour, cooking it out until it smells biscuity.
Add the milk slowly, whisking continuously until the milk starts to simmer.
Keep whisking until the sauce thickens, then remove from the heat.
Add the mustard, nutmeg, salt and pepper to taste, and stir in the grated cheese until it melts. That’s the cheese sauce done.
Leave the sauce to cool. You could transfer it from the saucepan to a glass dish so it cools more quickly.
Cook the pasta according to the pack instructions. This is usually about 6 minutes for macaroni, but it does vary.
Cool the cooked pasta in cold running water and drain. The secret to a saucy not-too-stodgy mac, if you’re making it ahead, is to cool the pasta and sauce separately before combining.
Once both the pasta and sauce are cold, combine and portion them into containers suitable for storing and reheating.
Pop them into the fridge or freezer until you want them.
Reheat thoroughly before serving.
These work so well when working from home or going out to work. Of course, this is also a great one to have for dinner one night and make enough for a couple of lunches too.