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  • 50g Broccoli
  • 50g Cauliflower
  • 100g Macaroni
  • 25g Butter
  • 25g Plain white flour
  • 1 Bay leaf
  • 275ml Skimmed milk
  • 50g Cheddar cheese
    grated, plus extra for topping
  • ½tsp Mustard powder

    Method

    • step 1

      Preheat oven to 200°C/gas mark 6. Steam the broccoli and cauliflower until tender but still firm, cut into small pieces and set aside.

    • step 2

      Put the macaroni in a saucepan of boiling water and simmer until cooked for 8 minutes, or according to packet instructions.

    • step 3

      While the pasta is cooking, make the cheese sauce. Melt the butter in a saucepan and stir in the flour, till it starts to bubble slightly. Add the bay leaf, turn up and heat and pour in a quarter of the milk, stirring all the time. As the sauce start to thicken, add more milk, stirring all the while, repeating until milk is all used up. Then stir in the grated cheddar cheese and mustard powder.

    • step 4

      Drain the pasta well, mix with the cheese sauce and steamed vegetables.

    • step 5

      Sprinkle with the remaining cheddar cheese (to cover), and put in an oven-proof dish. Place in oven for around 25 minutes, until top turns golden-brown. Chop to the right size for your baby before serving.

    Try adding different veg to macaroni cheese to give it a new, healthy twist – use steamed carrots and sliced courgettes or chopped, roasted peppers. It's a great way to help little ones get their 5-a-day.

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