Discovering Culinary Delights: Angie McGowan’s Greek Style Mac and Cheese on Steamy Kitchen
Welcome to a special feature on Steamy Kitchen, where we celebrate the incredible talent and passion of fellow food bloggers! Today, we are absolutely thrilled to host Angie McGowan, the creative force behind the popular blog Eclectic Recipes. Angie, a fellow Floridian, brings a refreshing perspective to home cooking, making everyday meals simple, vibrant, and utterly delicious. Her blog is a treasure trove of recipes, and I must confess, her dedicated category for “Spanglish” recipes immediately captured my heart, showcasing a beautiful blend of cultural influences in her cooking. And let’s not forget her adorable son, Julien, who often makes charming appearances!
Angie’s approach to food is genuinely inspiring. Her recipes are known for their accessibility and joyful presentation. For anyone seeking delightful treats, her Springtime Flower Treats are perfect for kids and adults alike, bursting with color and creativity. And for those moments when only chocolate will do, her Nutella Mug Cake is an absolute must-try – a quick, comforting indulgence. It’s this blend of practicality and imaginative flair that makes Eclectic Recipes a standout in the food blogging community.
This week, we are privileged to feature Angie’s innovative Greek Style Mac ‘n Cheese recipe. This isn’t your average macaroni and cheese; it’s a culinary journey infused with the rich, savory flavors of the Mediterranean. Imagine a creamy, comforting base elevated by the briny notes of Kalamata olives, the wholesome goodness of fresh spinach, the concentrated sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes, and the tangy crumbly texture of feta cheese. It’s a dish that promises to transform your perception of classic comfort food, offering a gourmet twist that’s surprisingly easy to achieve. I wholeheartedly invite you to join us in savoring this unique creation. Enjoy!
Warmly,
Jaden
An Introduction to Angie McGowan: The Heart Behind Eclectic Recipes
As Jaden mentioned, I’m Angie McGowan, and I couldn’t be more excited and genuinely tickled to be a guest contributor here on Steamy Kitchen. Since the very beginning of my blogging journey, Steamy Kitchen has been a constant source of inspiration and learning. Jaden’s expertise goes far beyond just food and cooking; I’ve gleaned countless tips on photography, the intricacies of blogging, and navigating the ever-evolving world of social media. In this sometimes overwhelmingly complicated realm of food blogging, Jaden has always been an invaluable mentor, offering advice and guidance whenever I’ve needed it most.
For those unfamiliar with my corner of the internet, my blog, Eclectic Recipes, has been my passion project for the past couple of years. In addition to sharing recipes there, I’m also a daily contributor to Babble’s Family Kitchen, further expanding my reach and sharing my love for home cooking with a broader audience. My culinary roots run deep, shaped by a childhood spent in rural North Florida. This region, far removed from the bustling coastal vibe of South Florida, feels much more akin to the Southern charm of rural Alabama or Georgia, especially in its culinary traditions.
Growing up, my diet was a true reflection of Southern hospitality and bounty. Our family embraced a self-sufficient lifestyle, raising catfish, chickens, goats, pigs, and cattle—though thankfully not all at once! Our property boasted an abundance of nature’s gifts, from venerable pecan trees to a variety of fruit trees, and even a highly prized persimmon tree. We cultivated a massive garden, yielding nearly every vegetable imaginable. And for anything we didn’t grow ourselves, we relied on the wonderful local u-pick farms, ensuring our table was always laden with fresh, seasonal produce.
Today, my life looks a little different. I reside in Orlando, Florida, with my wonderful husband and our energetic three-year-old son, Julien. While our current home doesn’t yet afford the space for the sprawling garden of my childhood dreams, I make the most of what I have, nurturing as many herbs as possible in various containers. I eagerly anticipate the day we’ll have a larger yard, where I can finally establish at least a small but productive garden, reconnecting with those foundational memories of growing my own food. When I manage to step away from the kitchen, I indulge in a variety of hobbies, including crafts, cherished movie nights with my family, and invigorating outdoor activities such such as hiking, boating, and skiing, all of which keep us active and connected as a family.
The Inspiration: Elevating Macaroni and Cheese
Macaroni and cheese holds a special place in my family’s hearts – they adore it in every form imaginable. However, as a cook, I often find myself yearning for new variations beyond the tried-and-true classic. The beauty of mac and cheese lies in its incredible versatility, making it a perfect canvas for culinary experimentation. I love to explore different cheese combinations, incorporating a diverse array of fresh vegetables, or even adding savory bits of ham, chicken, or sometimes, even tuna, to inject new life and flavor into this beloved comfort food.
This desire for innovation led me to create my Greek style mac and cheese – a dish that marries the familiar comfort of macaroni and cheese with the vibrant, bold flavors of Mediterranean cuisine. The key to its distinctive taste lies in the careful selection of cheeses for the rich, creamy sauce. I opted for a delightful combination of tangy feta and the wonderfully creamy Havarti with dill. The Havarti, with its mild, buttery flavor and subtle hint of dill, provides a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth base, while the feta adds that characteristic salty, crumbly bite that is so essential to Greek-inspired dishes. This blend ensures a complex yet harmonious cheese experience that truly sets this recipe apart.
For this recipe, I sourced my Havarti with dill directly from the deli section of my local supermarket, requesting a half-pound slice to ensure I could shred it fresh for optimal creaminess. Beyond the cheeses, I incorporated a symphony of Greek-inspired additions: a generous amount of good quality pitted Kalamata olives, their briny flavor adding depth; a few capers for a burst of salty, pungent zest; and a handful of sweet, chewy sun-dried tomatoes to contribute a concentrated umami note. To balance these robust flavors and add a healthy component, I folded in plenty of fresh spinach, which wilts down beautifully into the sauce, infusing the dish with vibrant color and nutrients.
What I particularly love about this Greek Mac and Cheese is its versatility and wide appeal. It serves as a perfect quick-fix vegetarian meal, substantial and satisfying on its own. Moreover, because it retains the comforting essence of classic mac and cheese, it’s often a hit even with the pickiest eaters, making it a fantastic family dinner option. While I typically serve this as a hearty main dish, it’s incredibly adaptable. For those who desire an extra layer of protein, a side of grilled chicken would be a fantastic addition. Or, to complete the Mediterranean experience, pairing it with a light, crisp Greek salad would create a perfectly balanced and delightful meal. This dish truly offers a delicious escape to the sunny shores of Greece, right from your kitchen.
Greek Style Mac and Cheese
by Angie McGowan, Eclectic Recipes
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 1 pound elbow macaroni
- 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, chopped fine
- 1 (10 oz) bag fresh bagged spinach, roughly chopped
- Generous pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 3 cups milk
- Freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 2 cups grated Havarti cheese with dill (or regular Havarti plus 1 tablespoon fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill)
- 1 (8 oz) package feta cheese, crumbled
- 1 (12 oz) jar Kalamata olives, chopped
- 1 tablespoon capers
- 2 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup bread crumbs or panko crumbs
Instructions
- Preheat your oven broiler to a low setting. In a large pot, bring a generous amount of salted water to a rolling boil. Add the elbow macaroni pasta and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the macaroni thoroughly and set it aside.
- While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Swirl in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chopped onions to the skillet and sauté them until they have softened and become translucent, which should take approximately 3 minutes. Stir in the finely chopped garlic and continue to sauté for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until fragrant. Add the fresh spinach and a generous pinch of salt to the skillet. Continue to sauté the mixture until the spinach has completely wilted down. Remove the spinach mixture from the pan and set it aside.
- Wipe the skillet dry with a paper towel and return it to the stove over medium heat. Swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Once the oil is hot, whisk in the flour. Continue to whisk constantly over medium heat until the flour develops a nutty aroma and turns a light golden color, indicating it’s cooked. Gradually whisk in the milk, ensuring no lumps form. Bring the mixture to a boil, stirring frequently, until it begins to thicken. Reduce the heat and simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken further. Remove the skillet from the burner and stir in the grated Havarti cheese until it is completely melted and smooth. Add the crumbled feta cheese and whisk gently; the feta will melt partially, but will retain some of its characteristic chunky texture, adding wonderful pockets of flavor.
- Return the sautéed spinach mixture to the cheese sauce, along with the chopped Kalamata olives, capers, and sun-dried tomatoes. In a large casserole dish, combine all of these ingredients with the cooked macaroni. Mix everything thoroughly to ensure an even distribution of ingredients and sauce. Top the macaroni mixture evenly with bread crumbs or panko crumbs. Place the casserole dish under the preheated broiler for about 5 minutes, or until the bread crumbs are golden brown and crispy. Keep a close eye on it to prevent burning. Serve hot and enjoy this delicious Greek-inspired comfort food!
Share Your Culinary Experience!
We love hearing from our readers! If you’ve tried this delightful Greek Style Mac and Cheese recipe, please don’t hesitate to let us know how it turned out. Your feedback and comments are invaluable to us and to other home cooks looking for new inspiration. Happy cooking!