Blue Box Blues

I am sure that there are websites devoted to the delicious, creamy goodness that is Kraft Macaroni and Cheese. I even saw a random Food Network-esque show about people who collect the boxes from generation to generation, (I was folding laundry at the time, cut me some slack.) My kids love it. My husband loves it. I am known to "taste test" from their bowls several times to make sure it's "warm enough". So, it is not without much consideration that I attempted to "expand their lunchtime palates" to include something other than this lovely staple (made with real butter and half and half, by the way). So, I thought I would try Sesame Soba Noodles.


Could we go from this:

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To this:

Um, yup! 

Little Bitefuls scarfed it down and licked the bowl (good manners will be on our list of lessons NEXT week). Big sisters gave it two thumbs up. Man Mountain ate copious amounts for a light snack. By the way, it took me less time to make these than it does to make the Blue Box Blues. Soba are gluten-free buckwheat noodles that cook in about three minutes. In Japan it can take chefs over a year to learn how to make them appropriately. Thanks to my new favorite store, (shout out to the New Asia Market in Groton), I was able to buy some made by these (Lord have mercy, could you think of nothing more tedious to do for a year) Japanese artisans, already dried. By the way, Stop and Shop also carries pretty respectable ones (albeit, they are made in Canada, by probably less notably skilled chefs, but the upside is they probably have a bit more of a personal life.) I couldn't tell the difference. 

Sprinkle on some scallions, some toasted sesame seeds and you've got a quick, delicious meal.