Fancified Mac and Cheese

1 box Trader Joe’s Aged White Cheddar Macaroni and Cheese

2 T butter

3 T milk

2 slices prosciutto, chopped

3 medium-sized tomatoes

5 stalks of asparagus, cut into one-inch pieces

3 cups spinach, destemmed and coarsely chopped

3 slices of bread, coarsely chopped

3/4 cup Asiago cheese (or whatever suits your fancy,) shredded

1 T sherry

Preheat oven to 350°.

Follow directions on the box of Macaroni and Cheese, but use a large pot and more water since you will also be cooking the vegetables in this pot.

Once the macaroni is boiling on its way, cut a small “x” in the bottom of the tomatoes and toss them into the boiling water for a couple minutes. Remove them with a slotted spoon and put them in a bowl of cold water until you are able to handle them. When they are cool, the skins should slide off when you tug at them. Then cut the tomatoes in half, squeeze out the seeds, and chop into bite-sized pieces.

The last 3 minutes of cooking, add the asparagus and spinach to the boiling water. When macaroni and vegetables are cooked to taste, drain water, put back in pot and add butter, milk, powdered cheese packet, prosciutto, tomatoes, ¼ cup of cheese and sherry. Stir.

Put in a gratin dish and sprinkle breadcrumbs and the rest of cheese on top. Place in oven and cook until breadcrumbs are toasted and cheese is melted.

Serve as a main course alongside a green salad.