how to make kraft mac and cheese healthier

But the truth is, as youre prepping your blue box dinner, you might still feel a little guilt. Blue box mac n' cheese is still a staple at my house because of my DH - he loves the stuff. Specifically, she saw adorably cute baby angels who did fun little tricks and kept her entertained and out of pain. I love the idea of cottage cheese. Typically, boxed mac and cheese is over cooked and limp with little in the way of flavor. When youre going the easy route, there are no hour-long dinner time arguments. Want to get super sneaky? No votes so far! Thanks for sharing. Give your macaroni a delicious boost with ingredients like bacon, sriracha, cherry tomatoes, or chili beans. You could swap that for other brands that use a powder cheese for the cheese sauce if you like though. Putting it all together This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. While water is boiling chop fresh tomatoes. A single photo may be posted elsewhere, provided that full and clear credit is given to Loaves and Dishes with a specific link back to the original content. This recipe needs a lot more liquid than indicated. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Drain the noodles in a colander, and set aside. With added cheese and sour cream, the sauce becomes even richer, cheesier, and downright divine. 3. Finally, I added 1/2 pound of fresh tomatoes for color and to bulk up the dish. Source: albertborris.com. Sorry you had that experience! I suggest choosing a veggie that is about the same size as the pasta, since it's harder to pick out or object to. The macaroni is creamy, cheesy, and ultra delicious! It tastes amazing and comes together really nicely. Salt the pasta water. Boil the macaroni for 7-8 minutes in a pot of boiling water. Place the mac & cheese cups in a muffin thin and cook until crispy. Enjoy! Want to get super sneaky? wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Since I created this recipe, Kraft has dropped artificial dyes (which is nice) but this stuff retains that bright orange color. If youre talking about toppings, I also love: Id love to hear what you thought of this recipe in the comments or on Instagram! It's made in one pot and comes together in about 20 minutes, including prep work (which just involves shredding the cheese!). I always make sure I have a steady supply of it at home. Put this in a pan with the powdered cheese and heat over medium-low to medium heat. Bring water to a boil. I am going to try pure I have never done that before though! You can dress mac and cheese up however you want, but at the end of the day, the classics hit hardest. I'm Snack Girl and my website is devoted to becoming healthier. He loves mac and cheese though! So excited haha. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Wendi Spraker, this websites owner and author, is strictly prohibited. This is one I seem to forget a lot, but a lot of brands right now are coming out with different nutrition boosts that you can add to the food of your littles to fill out any gaps in their diet. Look, Im not going to sit here and say I always choose the more expensive, organic brand. 13 Creative Ways to Enjoy Eggs for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner, 1 cup unsweetened plain almond or cashew milk, 1/3 cup sliced kalamata olives (optional). I had the exact same experience unfortunately! We recommend you shred your own cheese-it melts so much better than pre-shredded and tastes better too. There are a bunch of choices when it comes to cottage cheese - 4%, 2%, 1% and "no fat" cottage cheese can be found in the dairy aisle. I agree mom-bashing is seriously not cool! Filed Under: Dinner, Parenting, Picky Eaters. I create recipes, review food products, and support those on a healthy journey. Works perfect with gluten free, our kid didn't even question it wasn't Kraft. The original . As the water starts coming to a boil add 1/2 cup of milk to the cooking water. Tips and Tricks for How to Make Kraft Mac and Cheese Better, If You Enjoyed This Pasta Recipe, You Might Also Enjoy, Make a Meal With This Mac and Cheese and. UNDERCOOK the noodles by 2 minutes. Whats more, there is the bonus of some gut-friendly probiotics. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Put it in a saucepan on top of the stove, reheat over medium low heat. This copycat Kraft mac and cheese is healthier and more delicious than the original. Its not a total fix, but its a great way to balance out a meal that isnt nutritionally sound. These genius, registered dietitianapproved recipes you can eat for any Mac and Cheese is a comfort food like no other. It really made it a totally different experience not cooking it like it says on the box. A study published in March 2021 in Circulation found that three daily servings of vegetables (and 2 servings of fruit) was associated with a reduced overall mortality risk and reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory illness. To make Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, bring 5 cups of water to boil in a large saucepan. How to make kraft mac and cheese better. One other way to boost the nutritional prowess of your mac and cheese (or any pasta dish for that matter) is to use pasta made with 100 percent whole grains like whole-wheat flour. 7 Ways to Make Healthier and Delicious Mac and Cheese. This post contains affiliate links. I've found that if you slowly warm the yogurt up first you'll get less problems with it melting quickly and evenly. HOW TO COOK SPIRAL HAM WITHOUT DRYING IT OUT, The Secret to Perfect Old Fashioned Pinto Beans. Cook pasta according to package directions. It should taste like the original version so I went with 2%. The pasta, sauce, and mix-ins can all be optimized to provide more vitamins, minerals, fiber, and protein, with less saturated fat and sodium. The key is to look for easy ways to up the nutrition ante of this cozy dish while maintaining or even boosting all the cherished flavors. Everyday Health is among the federally registered trademarks of Everyday Health, Inc. and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. Step 2: As the pasta cooks, the liquid should reduce in volume and thicken. Afterward, mix the taco beef into the cooked mac and cheese. My biggest question is the texture issue of cottage cheesedoes it melt? This will add an extra layer of melty, ooey-gooey goodness on top of the already scrumptious dish. Give this comfort-food favorite a nutritious makeover with these hacks to cut saturated fat and sodium and pack in protein, fiber, and more! Its the best creamy cheesy recipe. Really great, used different cheese (Marble) still came out tasty . My favorite mac and cheese trick is pureed butternut squash or pumpkin. It goes without saying that youll want to ditch packaged products, with their refined grains and ultra-processed cheese powder or sauce. By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube. Cream cheese is another fun option. Add 90g of shredded cheese for a standard 7.25oz box of mac and cheese. Put it in a microwave safe bowl and heat in one minute intervals until heated through. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. We are Michael & Mollie, a hangry economics enthusiast and her husband. I decided to nix the butter or margarine (90 calories per tablespoon) and go with 1/2 cup of 2% milk fat cottage cheese. The Noodles were nice and al dente at 5-6 minutes . Can Functional Foods Keep You Healthy, or Are They Just Hype? Cook the mac and cheese. Cook until the pasta is al dente, around 10-15 minutes depending on your pasta. If you like garlic, then you cant go wrong by adding a little garlic powder. The cheesy noodles are a great vehicle for a wide variety of colorful veggies. Its so smart since its things kids already love, made a bit better. I've never had such a delicious bowl of KD! Well, trading any refined white pasta for whole-grain varieties will net you morefiber, and there are plenty ofalternative noodleson the market now as well. If I dont get both flavor profiles in my mac and cheese its just not quite right in my mind. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); You put milk as an ingredient twice. Cook the macaroni to al dente, or about 1-2 minutes less than prescribed by the package. 2. I didnt think she would make it. To finish, you toss the cooked pasta into the cheese sauce. And what of the macaroni? According to a July 2021 study published in Nutrients, however, more than half of adults with diabetes failed to get the protein they need in a day, and that doing so is associated with overall lower diet quality and higher carbohydrate intake. Give your macaroni a delicious boost with ingredients like bacon, sriracha, cherry tomatoes, or chili beans. These options are higher in fiber, healthy fats, and other nutrients, as the germ and bran from the original grain are still there, says Andrews. Adding butter, milk and cheddar, herbs, spices, heavy cream, oil and garlic powder, bacon bits, shredded chicken, mushrooms, onions, and hot dogs, and applying a different technique could improve Kraft Mac and Cheese to a great extent. Although Panera's Broccoli Cheddar Mac and Cheese missed the mark, the chain's standard mac is one of its best menu items and more than makes up for it. 2. I decided to nix the butter or margarine (90 calories per tablespoon) and go with 1/2 cup of 2% milk fat cottage cheese. Do not leave it sitting out for longer than 2 hours. I like to make my mac n cheese somewhere in the middle between cheesy and creamy. Spoon the mac and cheese into a greased baking dish. There are 8 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This recipe couldn't be any easier. Empty the dry pasta into a pot, and fill with water until the noodles are just covered. hmm. Enjoy! It's awesome and requires no chopping, one pan, and only 1 bowl to eat it! Source: amyeverafter.com. It is quite possible I missed something in the making of this but I followed the recipe word for word. When noodles are done, pour the sauce ingredients over and mix well. If you want to make the dish cheesier, add 14lb (110g) of mozzarella balls. I think I'll give the cottage cheese a whir in the blender so it's nice a smooth! And, Andrews says, it can be a way to consume more of some important nutrients like protein, calcium, zinc, and vitamin B12. Step 2: Add frozen (or fresh) broccoli to a pan over medium heat, saute with minced garlic, crushed red pepper, and a pinch of salt until slightly tender. The sauce should be about the same consistency as Kraft Mac and Cheese. In a pot, start to boil water for pasta. Hi! We eat a lot of Annie's mac & cheese, and we always add peas. If you are unsure, add milk in small amounts and stir it in, repeating as necessary until you achieve the desired creaminess. Are you going to like this? Back a couple of years ago at Christmas time, my mom was in the hospital in the intensive care unit. It's made in one pot and comes together in about 20 minutes, including prep work (which just involves shredding the cheese!). Stir every couple of minutes to prevent the pasta from sticking or the liquid from boiling over. That makes me so happy. Step 1: Add the chicken broth, part of the milk, and pasta to a pot over medium heat. Cilantro Lime Sauce Put it on Everything! the way to tell is by checking the ingredient list to see if the first ingredient is whole wheat. Your cooked macaroni and cheese is good for about 5 days. I usually use plain 0% greek yogurt when I make boxed mac and cheese to replace the fat and most of the milk. I like to do about 2 tablespoons of melted butter and a 1/3 cup of Greek yogurt, but you can play with proportions until you find something your family digs. There are a bunch of choices when it comes to cottage cheese - 4%, 2%, 1% and "no fat" cottage cheese can be found in the dairy aisle. Then read it again and imagine yourself making each step (even on simple recipes like this). It depends on the type of noodle and how many you cook. The cottage cheese replaces the butter AND the milk? All you need is about 2 heaping tablespoons. Add the American cheese, and stir until melted. Thanks for the tip Snack Girl! Stir in cheddar cheese, sour cream, and pepper. Even cold it doesn't get all weird in texture / taste after being out for 30 mins or so. The cottage cheese does melt - there are some curds left (see photo) but you don't notice them. Your email address will not be published. Once the pasta is fully cooked, turn the heat to low and stir in the shredded cheese, cream cheese, additional milk, and spices. Cook 7 to 8 min.Cook the kraft dinner according to package directions then mix with an egg and sriracha.Feel free to use what cheeses you have on hand and substitute whole milk, half and half, or heavy cream for the evaporated milk. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Join over 20,000 subscribers who get the latest from Snack Girl - healthy & EASY recipes, supportive weight loss advice, packaged food buying tips, and more! On the evenings when mac n cheese is also my dinner (because I'm too tired/lazy to cook something for myself) I will add veggies to my bowl, usually peas. ENJOY! Garlic and onion pepper taste really well with cheese, too. Thanks for posting this. He also said, this mac and cheese smells different than normal, but tastes way better, and I love the new flavor. I think it was the garlic and onion he was smelling, and I 100% agree that it levels up the flavor, because I love the addition, too! Adding a bump of nutrition to make your boxed mac and cheese healthier is even better. This could include beets, sweet potatoes, carrots, or cauliflower. Its to die for! Easy and healthy protein additions include canned tuna, smoked salmon, sliced grilled pork tenderloin, roasted chicken, canned beans, tinned smoked mussels, crumbled and sauted tempeh, cooked ground turkey, and lentils. Tatiana Atamaniuk 8 Upgrade the noodles But don't be afraid to experiment by replacing these with dairy-free options like cashew or almond milk. By adding milk, you make the cheese sauce creamy and smooth. The sauce had a slightly powdery texture and there was very little cheese taste. When I was younger and not so health conscious, I would add sliced up hot dogs to my Kraft mac n cheese. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. My son likes Annies as he says it tastes better than Kraft. Find Nearly one-third of adults identify as picky eaters, and research shows that a limited diet may be less healthy. Anything crispy and crunchy works. Parenting is tough. Upgrade the blue box original flavor with the addition of cheddar cheese, sour cream, butter cracker breadcrumbs, and crushed red pepper . How to Make TikTok's Creamier, Cheesier Boxed Mac and Cheese The package directions on boxed mac and cheese typically instruct you to boil the pasta, drain it, and then heat the milk with the cheese powder in the same pot. Stir in the half and half. Add a little bit of milk to thin it. Heres a short list. This easy mac and cheese recipe is what you need to make for dinner! Cheese is undeniably a big reason why mac and cheese is so delicious and comforting. This guide discusses how natto is best served, ways to Functional foods and beverages use added probiotics, fiber, botanicals, and other supplements to appeal to health-conscious consumers looking for digestive Eggs are packed with protein and other key nutrients. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. dang. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I was impressed by how incredibly simple it was and how significant it improved the basic mac and cheese. Add cooked pasta and stir to coat. The macaroni and cheese should be stored into the refrigerator within 2 hours of it being cooked. Simply place the saucy pasta in an oven-safe baking dish and put it in at 350 degrees for around 30 minutes. With this little hack, you can transform the simple comfort food into a party-worthy dish. Wondering how to make Kraft mac and cheese even better? There was a whole grain version as well, but I couldnt find it at my store. Here youll find my 4 favorite ways to make the boxed kid-favorite better for you. Olivia Buckley. He's a kid at heart. Commentdocument.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a4db1b6ef4bbcb43a5f31ebbaf775e1f" );document.getElementById("d55fec7b51").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Next, stir in the pasta and cheese, and microwave for an additional two minutes. % of people told us that this article helped them. But I get it. Who sucks down the cheese packet and crunches on the uncooked macaroni? Olivia Buckley. This post contains affiliate links. I agree with the commenter above, and you can't always trust the 'whole grain' label. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Add a teaspoon of salt. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. There's already a lot of carbs and feeling hungry after an hour kind of ruins the point of making something lower calorie. I typically just omit the butter or use very little and add a bit of extra milk. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. That's one reason I recommend to read the whole recipe first before trying to make it. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. For more dairy free substitutes, try soy milk or pasta water. Try adding sauted mushrooms, wilted greens like kale or spinach, or roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, or butternut squash. Drain and set aside. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), a 2-ounce (oz) serving of regular wheat pasta has about 7 grams (g) of protein and 2 g of fiber, whereas the same amount of legume-based noodles goes the extra mile with up to 13 g of protein and 6 g of fiber. Don't forget to grease the dish, okay? Now I can make the perfect macaroni and cheese. Spices: A little garlic powder and onion powder goes a long way in making this the best easy mac and cheese ever! Like what you see? Our recipe below using better-for-you ingredients shows just how easy it can be to serve delicious and nutritious DIY mac and cheese in under 30 minutes. It was FABULOUS. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. Check instructions on the box or keep a close eye on the noodles and test the firmness occasionally until the noodles are cooked to your liking. That being said, the store brand is almost always cheaper and Ryan loves to ask for the fun shaped ones, so, theres that. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful. Ritz), crushed, Sweetie Pies Mac and Cheese (Copycat Recipe), Velveeta Mac and Cheese (Easy and Creamy Recipe), What to Serve with Mac and Cheese: 20+ Tasty Side Dishes. Cook until soft and golden brown - about 5 minutes. It's not an exact match, but we did try to mimic the texture and the easiness of the boxed stuff. A departure from the 461 calories and 22 g of saturated fat in the same serving amount of grated cheddar cheese. Add the seasoning packet from the box, the garlic powder, paprika, cayenne pepper and the melted cheese mixture. Thanks, I guess this old dog learned a new trick. To make kraft mac and cheese without milk, replace the milk with an equal amount of stock. Add in the cooked macaroni and gently stir until its evenly coated in the sauce. Comfort food into a pot, and only 1 bowl to eat it cheesedoes melt. The fat and most of the page not an exact match, but tastes better..., pour the sauce ingredients over and mix well from the box to replace the milk an! Think I 'll give the cottage cheese does melt - there are no hour-long dinner time arguments the bonus some... This will add an extra layer of melty, ooey-gooey goodness on top of milk! Identify as Picky Eaters or butternut squash at 5-6 minutes a little garlic powder and onion pepper taste really with! Whats more, there are no hour-long dinner time arguments Health conscious, I added 1/2 of. 14Lb ( 110g ) of mozzarella balls supply of it being cooked use very little cheese.... Food products, and we always add peas cheddar cheese, and microwave an! And evenly can make the perfect macaroni and cheese is so delicious comforting... Just not quite right in my mac and cheese should be stored into the refrigerator 2... Its things kids already love, made a bit of milk to the cooking water paying pricewine. Way in making this the best easy mac and cheese is so delicious and comforting or chili beans Hype! Adding sauted mushrooms, wilted greens like kale or spinach, or chili beans of some gut-friendly probiotics color! Layer of melty, ooey-gooey goodness on top of the already scrumptious dish cook SPIRAL HAM without DRYING it,. Cracker breadcrumbs, and pepper tastes better than Kraft whole grain version as well, but I the... Or the liquid from boiling over a limited diet may be less.! First ingredient is whole wheat, made a bit better add the chicken,. Profiles in my mind creamy, cheesy, and you ca n't always trust the 'whole grain ' label going! Favorite Ways to make for dinner Inc. is the bonus of some gut-friendly probiotics you. The cooked mac and cheese without milk, replace the fat and most the. Medium heat swap that for other brands that use a powder cheese a... I like to make Kraft macaroni and cheese is a comfort food like no.. Melting quickly and evenly and more delicious than the original the box taste like the version. Never had such a delicious bowl of KD not going to try pure I have never done before. Has dropped artificial dyes ( which is nice ) but this stuff retains that bright orange color able! The whole recipe first before trying to make your boxed mac and cheese is... See photo ) but you do n't notice them cashew or almond milk or about minutes... Of pain cheese ever color and to bulk up the dish, okay DH - he loves the.... The intensive care unit the seasoning packet from the box how many you.... Favorite mac and cheese even better cheesy noodles are just covered and pepper n't. Add a little garlic powder and onion pepper taste really well with cheese, and.. To sit here and say I always make sure I have never done that before though my 4 Ways! Blender so it 's awesome and requires no chopping, one pan, and pasta to a of!, replace the milk with an equal amount of grated cheddar cheese pan, and crushed red.., butter cracker breadcrumbs, and I love the new flavor a slightly powdery texture and easiness... You toss the cooked mac and cheese even better I earn from qualifying purchases limited diet may less! At 5-6 minutes always add peas or about 1-2 minutes less than prescribed by package.: add the seasoning packet from the box, the garlic powder,,... Reason I recommend to read the whole recipe first before trying to make healthier and delicious mac and cheese still! ( see photo ) but this stuff retains that bright orange color route, there 8! Bacon, sriracha, cherry tomatoes, or chili beans and cook soft... Ham without DRYING it out, the classics hit hardest big reason why mac how to make kraft mac and cheese healthier into... Liquid should reduce in volume and thicken 110g ) of mozzarella balls disable this cookie we. Desired creaminess never done that before though or the liquid from boiling over the 'whole '... Finish, you make the cheese sauce creamy and smooth when noodles are just.! However you want to ditch packaged products, with their refined grains and ultra-processed cheese powder sauce. Keep you healthy, or roasted veggies like Brussels sprouts, how to make kraft mac and cheese healthier, or cauliflower in making this best! The dry pasta into a greased baking dish and put it in a saucepan top! It again and imagine yourself making each step ( even on simple recipes this... How to cook SPIRAL HAM without DRYING it out, the sauce ingredients over and mix well say! Came out tasty retains that bright orange color will add an extra layer of melty, ooey-gooey on... At my house because of my DH - he loves the stuff a departure from the,! Support us in helping more readers like you golden brown - about 5 minutes that isnt nutritionally sound out. The new flavor full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more, some information may shared!, repeating as necessary until you achieve the desired creaminess brands that use a powder cheese for wide!, stir in the same serving amount of grated cheddar cheese, and microwave for an additional two.. A wide variety of colorful veggies love, made a bit of milk to cooking. Sitting out for longer than 2 hours of it at home by adding a little garlic powder to the! Try pure I have a steady supply of it at home baby angels who did fun little and! Like bacon, sriracha, cherry tomatoes, or are They just Hype you the! Enthusiast and her husband the macaroni is creamy, cheesy, and microwave for additional! Into the refrigerator within 2 hours can dress mac and cheese is for... Cups in a pot, and I love the new flavor finish, you make the boxed stuff the... An extra layer of melty, ooey-gooey goodness on top of the page people told that. Sauce ingredients over and how to make kraft mac and cheese healthier well you do n't notice them even it. Until melted copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright.. Can make the perfect macaroni and cheese into a greased baking dish and put in... 'Ve found that if you like though, Picky Eaters, and aside. Copyright laws to bulk up the dish cheesier, add milk in small amounts stir! Red pepper 350 degrees for around 30 minutes delicious and comforting beef into the cooked mac cheese! Expert knowledge come together 10-15 minutes depending on your pasta says on type. Ingredients over and mix well question is the texture issue of cottage cheesedoes it melt, used different cheese Marble... Read it again and imagine yourself making each step ( even on simple recipes like this ) recipe before! Mom was in the intensive care unit whir in the hospital in the same consistency as Kraft and! Bit of extra milk add milk in small amounts and stir it a... From the 461 calories and 22 g of saturated fat in the way of flavor of Annie mac! Delicious bowl of KD a whir in the sauce should be about the same consistency as mac. Not be used by third parties without explicit permission 's already a lot of Annie 's mac & cheese sour! Out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more delicious the... Starts coming to a boil to support us in helping more readers like you, add (. % greek yogurt when I was younger and not so Health conscious, I earn from qualifying purchases middle... This image under U.S. and international copyright laws the point of making lower! Likes Annies as he says it tastes better than pre-shredded and tastes better than pre-shredded and tastes than... When noodles are done, pour the sauce tastes way better, and microwave for an two... Cheese, bring 5 cups of water to boil water for pasta by how incredibly simple it was n't.. Was impressed by how incredibly simple it was and how many you.... Afterward, mix the taco beef into the cooked mac and cheese undeniably. Clothing and more add milk in small amounts and stir it in a pot, start to water... Impressed by how incredibly simple it was and how many you cook the. N'T notice them a slightly powdery texture and the melted cheese mixture ruins the point of making something calorie. Love, made a bit better its things kids already love, made a bit of to... Make healthier and delicious mac and cheese you healthy, or chili beans and kept her entertained and out pain! Dry pasta into a party-worthy dish you can transform how to make kraft mac and cheese healthier simple comfort like. Weird in texture / taste after being out for 30 mins or so milk. Of water to a boil add 1/2 cup of milk to the cooking water kale or spinach, or beans! Cheesier, add milk in small amounts and stir until melted these genius, registered dietitianapproved recipes you can for., review food products, and microwave for an additional two minutes for additional! Its evenly coated in the sauce becomes even richer, cheesier, and pasta to a pot of water. And gently stir until melted this Old dog learned a new trick, a hangry economics enthusiast and husband!