Hooray for funky foods that make your gut happy as a clam.

Or just simply happy.

Because since when are clams thought of as happy?

Not so sure about the origin of that phrase.

Anywho.

I first tried this dish at a book launch partay several months back.

And damn was I pleasantly surprised.

A kinda healthy mac and cheese that actually tastes freakin’ good?

Needless to say, I went back for thirds seconds.

(I would have cleaned up the entire pan in a heartbeat by myself, but there would have been 67 too many witnesses.)

Kimchi you’re my hero!

In case you’re wondering what the heck “kimchi” is, let me break it down.

Kimchi is a fermented Korean dish that usually consists of cabbage with some other veggies along with seasonings and spices.

It’s super stinky, but kimchi has probiotics, which happen to be uber beneficial for your tummy.

So embrace the stink and eat up!

Who doesn’t want a happy belly filled with good bacteria?

Nerding out over here.

Since I’m on a roll…

I healthified this recipe a bit more by ousting the oil and breadcrumbs and using whole wheat pasta, plus nonfat milk. I also cut back on the onion, because those fellows often like to demand more attention than they deserve.

The flavorful cheesy sauce is packed with sharp cheddar and Swiss cheese. Before you drink the sauce in one go, quickly mix in your whole wheat pasta, chopped cauliflower and kimchi. Pour the cheesy mixture into a baking dish, sprinkle with more cheese then pop that sucker into the oven and bake until golden brown and bubbly.

Spoon a mammoth portion into your favorite bowl then savor every last bite.

P.S. Cookbook launches are the best type of launches because usually there is some tasty (and free) grub involved. Tasty. Free.

P.P.S. The particular cookbook that inspired me is Fresh & Fermented: 85 Delicious Ways to Make Fermented Carrots, Kraut, and Kimchi Part of Every Meal by Julie O’Brien and Richard J. Climenhage.

P.P.P.S. No, I was not told, paid, or blackmailed into writing about this book. I just happen to have a crush on Cauliflower Kimchi Mac & Cheese.

P.P.P.P.S. Kimchi isn’t always vegetarian, so read your labels people. I likey Firefly Kimchi.

P.P.P.P.P.S. If you’re craving a slightly less healthy (aka normal but better than regular) mac and cheese, here yuh go.