Rice Cooker Mac and Cheese - Best Ever Recipe

Going through a recent kitchen renovation I discovered that I had two choices, order out or learn to cook healthy and tasty meals without the luxury of a stove. Considering both time and budget were a concern, I chose the second option. My first purchase was an electric skillet, followed by a table top electric grill. Good choices until I realized that some of the simpler task I took for granted could not be accomplished. Enter the rice cooker. What a life saver! Originally purchased for simply boiling water (can't do that in an electric skillet!), I came to learn that the rice cooker can do much more than rice. With my kitchen now complete, it is still one of my favorite appliances. A decent quality rice cooker can be purchased at any hardware or kitchen appliance store for less than 40 dollars. Trust me; it will pay for itself in no time. I've used it for everything from oatmeal to the tastiest spare ribs I've ever had. For now I'll share a recipe for the creamiest and most simple mac and cheese anyone would ever desire. I'll never make it any other way. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 2 cups macaroni
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cups shredded mixed cheeses (mild cheddar, Vermont cheddar, mozzarella, and fontina)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper
• 1 dash hot sauce (optional)
• 1 pinch dry mustard (optional)
• A quick grate of fresh nutmeg (from the whole nut), this is optional

• Place pasta and liquids into rice cooker. Close lid and press cook.
• When pasta goes to keep warm, add the other ingredients, stir with paddle. Close lid and keep on warm till ready to serve. It will no dry out and will keep smooth and creamy on warm for over an hour.

If a larger serving is desired, go ahead and double or triple recipe...however, when adding the cheese, you may need to add an additional 1/2 cup of liquid if the pasta is not cooked enough, then press cook again.

Once you've mastered the basics, you can get creative and play with the recipe. I like to add about a ½ cup or more of frozen peas. Generally I add this once the pasta and liquid comes to a boil.

For the meat lover, you can add precooked ham, kielbasa etc.