Mack and Cheese

This post goes out to my friends, the Mackeys.  When I asked for feedback, they answered back looking for a version of mac and cheese.  Now, mac and cheese is one of my most favorite comfort foods, but to be totally honest, I often turn to it in a time crunch, and it usually comes in a box...  

Uhg, I know, right?!  But when someone mentioned it again, it triggered a memory of an old recipe I had from my former MIL.  She made some really tasty casseroles, and I decided to take an old standby and spice it up a little bit.  Literally.  So, I will just go ahead and say, I think this is going to have a kick to it, so if you are making it for the kids, or you just can't take the heat, I'll make some suggestions for substitutions ;) I also tried to make some healthy choices, but again, feel free to use whatever version of these ingredients you have on hand.

Ingredients:

2 c. whole wheat macaroni (or regular)

4 Tbsp. butter

4Tbsp. wheat flour (I will use white next time, I didn't love the texture of wheat)

1/2 an onion diced

1 tsp. dry mustard

pepper to taste

2 c. milk (I had 1%)

1 c. frozen peas

1 c. cubed chicken with jalapeno sausage (2 links) or substitute cubed, cooked ham

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1 c. shredded havarti with horseradish and chives (or whatever cheese you like)

parmesan cheese for the top

Start by preheating the oven to 400 degrees and get a large pot of salted water boiling.  Once it's boiling, add the pasta and cook about 2 minutes less than recommended on the box.  While that is cooking, heat a medium saute pan over medium heat and add the butter and your onions.  Once they are soft, whisk in the flour.  

Then stir in the mustard, pepper, milk, and 

cheese. Stir this all together and let it thicken up.  

 

While the sauce is thickening, chop up your sausage, and I like to brown it a little before adding it all together.  

Just saute it over med/high heat in a tiny bit of butter.  

Drain your pasta, toss in the peas, and then pour the sausage, pasta, and peas into your cheese sauce.  (This makes clean up much easier, because the saucey pan is the messiest already :)

Pour everything into a casserole dish and shave parmesan cheese over the top and bake with the lid on for 15 minutes.  Then remove the lid and cook for an additional 15 minutes and enjoy!

Side notes.  This meal is really tasty, but using the whole wheat pasta and flour definitely makes it taste a little healthier.  If you don't usually like the taste/texture of the whole wheat, don't use it!  This won't hide it like a heavy tomato sauce might.  I will probably stick to white flour next time.  Oh, and after eating it, it's not nearly as spicy as I imagined...  Maybe next time I'll add a little more heat :) I also might double the sausage next time, I found myself searching for it a little too much.

 

Feedback

Hi all!  So, this week and next are really busy for me, as I spend a great many hours at the theater polishing up our community theater's production of Alice in Wonderland.  I've been taking this opportunity to eat sushi and breakfast for dinner, both of which are delicious, but don't lead to great blog posts!  Which leads to my next few questions:

What do you make when time is short?

What are your favorite go to recipes?

and my biggest question:

What kinds of recipes/post would you like to see me post next?!

Looking forward to seeing all of your great ideas and the challenge of trying to meet your culinary needs :)

 

Sweet Potato and Chorizo Sausage Soup

I went out to dinner with my parents last week and had some delicious Sweet Potato and Sausage soup, and my dad and I ate it so quickly that my mom didn't even get to taste it.  So I decided I am going to try and figure out how to make it myself!

I started by roasting three good sized sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs) in the oven on a baking sheet for an hour on 400 degrees.  I meant to drizzle a little olive oil on them first, but I forgot, but I would do that next time!  Take them out, let them cool and then scoop all the good stuff out of the peel and set it aside. I actually found that once I cut them open, the peel basically just fell off and I slid them into a bowl. 

Next heat a good sized pot over medium heat (note, my pot was way bigger than it needed to be!)  Add about a tbsp of olive oil and then crumble 4 Chorizo Sausage links (out of the casings) into the hot pan and let them brown.

Once they are brown, use a slotted spoon to scoop out the sausage and set it aside on a paper towel on a plate so it can drain a bit.  To the oil, I added one medium onion and a garlic clove, both grated.  I grated them because I hate chomping down on a chunk of onion or garlic in a soup like this.  I used the large sized grater for the onion, and the small side for the garlic.  The moisture from these will help release all the good flavor crystals that are stuck to the bottom of the pan, which is awesome!  Once they have cooked down and are soft, add salt, pepper, and a small pinch of Cayenne pepper. (I did a little more like 2 pinches and it was pretty spicy!) Once that is combined, add in about 2 cups of chicken stock and then your sweet potato.  Mush it all up, stir, and add a pinch each of nutmeg and cinnamon.  

Now, here is where I wish I had an immersion blender, but I don't, so I scooped everything into my blender and pureed it all together.

Before

After

You can then add it back into your pot and stir in the cooked sausage.  Taste for seasoning, and then enjoy!  I didn't think of it when I was at the store today, but I think that my raisin bread croutons would be awesome with this!  I will make some tomorrow and add photos.  They are so awesome.

To make the croutons, take about 4-6 slices of good raisin bread (I found some apple cider golden raisin bread at Wegmans that was so very fall, I couldn't resist!), and cut them into cubes the size of croutons.  Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add about 1 tbsp of oil and 1-2 tbsp of butter. 

 Once that is all melted together, toss the bread in with the butter and oil until it is coated evenly.  Add a little salt and cinnamon and keep cooking and tossing until all sides are nice and golden brown.  
They will be crisp on the outside and soft and chewy on the inside.  They are so good in fall soups like this sweet potato one, or any butternut squash soup (another one of my favorites!)  Top your soup with a few and enjoy!

YUM

Apple Bread Pudding and Salted Caramel Sauce

Bread Pudding is one of my favorite dessert treats, and since the make it on Chopped all the time, I figured it can't be that hard.  If they can throw one together in 30 minutes, why couldn't I?  I've made a few different variations of Bread Pudding, but I went with apples and caramel for fall because they are such classic Fall flavors.

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.  I started by letting a loaf of tasty bread get a little stale, and then I cubed it up.  I forget what kind it was, something I picked up at Wegmans last week.  Throw it in a large bowl, and mix all of your wet ingredients together.  I used two eggs, 2 cups of heavy cream (you could do milk, I think, but come on, this is dessert, people!) a tsp. of vanilla, a pinch of salt, and a shake or two of cinnamon.  Then pour it over the bread, mix it together, and set it aside and let it meld for like 10-15 minutes.    

While you are waiting, peel, core, and chop up an apple.  Then mix it into your bread mixture, and pour it into either a baking dish, or I like to use my cast iron pot.  (Thanks, Beth!)  Bake it in the oven with a lid or covered for about 30 minutes, and then another 10-20 without the lid to crisp up the top.  

As it's baking, you can make your caramel.  Now, I will totally admit that the only reason I attempted to make my own caramel was because I just think it is so darn delicious that it was worth a go.  So craving beat intimidation, and I now know it's really not that difficult.  It's a little like Risotto (a big time favorite of mine) in that, you just can't walk away.  

Add the sugar

Start with a medium sauce pan over medium high heat.  Add 3/4 cup of sugar, a good pinch of sea or kosher salt, and about 2 tbs. of water. 

Stir until it is dissolved

 Stir them together until the sugar dissolves and then leave it alone, but stay close by!  Watch the sugar boil for about 3-4 minutes until it turns a tan/caramelly color.  Be patient.   

When it looks like the picture to the right, you are going to add a 1/2 cup of heavy cream slowly to your sugar.  It is going to bubble up, but just stir it in, and then turn off the heat. 





 

bubbling cream

removed from the heat

 You can then pour it into a small pitcher or measuring cup and cool it down in the fridge, which will thicken it up, as well.  Then when your bread pudding is ready, pull it out and pour it over your dessert!

Ok, now take your dish out of the oven, spoon some bread pudding into a bowl with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and drizzle the caramel sauce over top.  This dessert is SO yummy!  Enjoy!

Chicken and Spinach Flautas

Full disclosure.  This is not a Lindsay original recipe.  I've adapted it from this website.  I did not change a lot, but there were a few things, so I'll walk you through what I discovered.  However you decide to make this recipe, please make this recipe!  It is simple, quick, and so tasty.

You will need:

• 1 pound boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts
• 16 ounces Beer (or chicken broth)
• 2 cups Water
• 1 teaspoon Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 1 teaspoon ground Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
• 1 Jalapeno Pepper, minced
• 6 cups Baby Spinach, chopped
• 5 burrito-size Whole Wheat Tortillas (9 inches)
• 6 ounces Shredded Cheese (I used a combo of Cheddar, Colby Jack, and Havarti with jalapeno)
• Cooking spray 
• Salsa and sour cream, for serving 

I did not make this full recipe.  I made about half because that's how much chicken I had left over from Chicken Tortilla Soup and I only have 3 tortillas.  Oh, and I'm only cooking for myself and still working my way through soup, chili, and corn casserole!  So, if you followed my post about Chicken Tortilla Soup, you know how to make the chicken.  If not, here we go!

Preheat your oven to 450 degrees.  Simmer a beer and 2 cups of water in a sauce pan and then add your chicken.  Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. 

 Pour off all but 1/4 cup of the poaching liquid and shred your chicken.  I use the paddle attachment on my mixer on medium speed for 45 seconds.  Presto!  Shredded chicken!  Toss in the seasoning, mix for another few seconds and then set it aside.  

Shred

Poach

Mix

Heat the poaching liquid over medium heat while you chop up a LOT of baby spinach.  I used three cups just for my half batch, so definitely make a lot!  I also added a hot pepper from my garden, I think it was a Cayenne.  Add the spinach and pepper to the pan and saute for a few minutes while you set up for assembly. 

 You will need your chicken, cheese, and tortillas that are cut in half.  You should also spray a baking tray with cooking spray.  Once the spinach cooks and the liquid is pretty much gone, you can start putting them together.  Spoon some chicken, spinach and a little cheese on the cut side of the tortilla.  Then roll it up as tightly as you can and put it seam side down on the tray. 

Spray them lightly with cooking spray and pop them in the oven for 10 minutes.  Serve them with salsa and sour cream (and corn casserole, if you have some!)  

 

Chicken Tortilla Soup-Work in Progress

I have gone back and forth about whether to post this meal...  And finally I landed on, yes, but as a work in progress.  I made this soup yesterday and wasn't happy with the way it turned out from the recipe I used as my kick-off.  So I set to work fixing it, and after having it tonight for dinner, I feel like it's decent, but still not amazing.  I'm calling for help or suggestions.  

Here is what I started with:

I actually cooked the chicken according to a recipe for chicken and spinach flautas that I will make later this week.  I even cooked enough of it for that recipe to save some time.  Go me, planning ahead!  

So I took almost 2 lbs of chicken (1 lb for this recipe and the rest reserved for the flautas) and poached them for 10 minutes in a bottle of beer (I used Pale Ale) and 2 cups of water.  I then reserved 1/4 cup of the liquid for the Flautas, poured off most of it and kept maybe a half a cup for the stock.  Take the chicken and shred it.  Now pay attention because this is an awesome trick.  

Remove the chicken breasts, put them in your stand mixer, and mix for 45 seconds on medium speed with your paddle attachment.  Instant shredded chicken!  I felt like I should add this recipe mostly to pass along this trick.  I love it!
 
 




What I did then was pour 2 containers of chicken stock into the large pot I was poaching in, and then add the chicken back in.  What I would do next time is season the chicken before adding it back in.  I eventually added salt, black pepper, cumin, chili powder, paprika, and red pepper flakes.  Just a quarter sized amount on your palm of each of the spices, and s and p to taste.  

Then chop your veggies.  I used 3 Roma tomatoes, half a red onion diced (it was pretty big), 3 hot peppers from my garden with ribs and seeds, a cup of frozen corn, and 3 ribs of celery.  I think it could have used some bell pepper, too, but didn't add that.  Throw your veggies in the pot, too.

 At this point, add a can of black beans, stir it all together, and vala!  Only, I still don't feel like it's quite right...  I heated some up today, added a touch of cream, garnished with avocado, cheddar cheese, chopped cilantro, and some crumbled corn chips.  It was good, but not exactly what I expected.  I don't have a final product picture because I didn't think I was going to add this one, but if I have it again this week, I'll snap a picture and add it.  

So, I need your help!  What would you add or change to make this better?  

Scrumptious Saturday-Rainbow Chili and Corn Casserole

Today has been a really productive day, and this evening has been even more productive in the kitchen!  I am currently waiting (impatiently) for the corn casserole to cook and for the chili to continue cooking, so I figured I would get writing while I wait.  Maybe it will keep my drooling to a minimum!  Doubtful, but worth a go, anyway...

Chili is one of my most favorite foods, and I look forward to Fall every year because it means it's finally cool enough to really enjoy it. I make chili a little bit different every time, so the name rainbow chili came to me as I was making it, and when you see my fresh ingredient photo below, you will see why!  

Corn Casserole is another big time favorite, but all the credit for this recipe goes to my friend, Jenn, who passed it along via another of my besties.  It is killer and a huge crowd pleaser.  I am always looking for an excuse to make it, and discovered last winter that it was delicious with chili!  

Alright, let's get cooking!  Chili takes longer to cook, so start it first.  You will need:

2 lbs of ground beef (I also use turkey often, but I had beef in the fridge, so I went with that.  Both are delicious.)

1 box of chili mix (I prefer 2 Alarm Chili, but really all you need if you don't want a box is chili powder, paprika, cumin, cayanne, salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder)

1 medium onion diced

1 clove garlic minced

I also added hot and spicy oregano, which I had growing in my garden

1 each zucchini and summer squash chopped

2 bell peppers, I have 4 in the picture, but only ended up using the orange and yellow ones-chopped

2 handfuls of frozen corn

1 serano or other hot pepper (this was in my garden, too) minced

1 can each diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, black beans, and kidney beans

1 packet of mesa (it your chili needs thickening

Ok, so get a big pot:

This is my new chili pot that I found on clearance today.  We'll see how she does on her maiden voyage!  Start with a little oil in the pan and soften up your onions and garlic before you add the ground meat. Salt and pepper each time you add something to the pot. Break it all up until your beef is browned nicely.  I use really low fat content, so I didn't need to drain, but if you have a lot of fat, drain it off.

 While the meat is browning, take this time to chop all of your veggies.  I love veggies in chili.  I think they add color, flavor, and texture.  Here is why I called it Rainbow Chili...  Isn't that pretty?!  Once everything is chopped, go ahead and throw everybody in the pot.  Stir it all up, salt and pepper, and then let them cook for a few minutes.  Last, throw in the corn, tomatoes, sauce, and a can of water.  Stir, and add all of your spices.  Leave the cayenne out if you don't like heat.  



Drain and rinse the beans.  I do this because you really don't need all of that starchy liquid, but also because I got a super cute new colander and wanted to try it out :)  Stir them into the pot, too, and then wait.  Chili is the kind of thing that gets better the longer it cooks, so use this time to make the corn casserole.  Put it over low heat, pop a lid on and let it simmer away!

Corn Casserole

Corn Casserole really needs its own page, so I'll hyperlink everything here from Scrumptious Saturday!  Like I said on the Chili post, this recipe is from my friend, Jenn, so I can't claim credit for it, but I also can't help but share it!  It is truly yummy.

Everything you need, plus cheddar cheese, which I forgot to grab because it doesn't get added till later.

 Here is what you need:

1 box of corn muffin mix (I like Jiffy)

1 16 oz. can corn kernels (drained)

1 16 oz. can creamed corn

1 stick of melted butter

1 egg

1 c. sour cream

1 c. cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven for 375.  Mix the corn, creamed corn, corn muffin mix, butter, egg and sour cream in a bowl.  Butter a casserole dish (or a square baking dish.) Pour the mixture in the buttered dish and bake for 45 minutes.  

  

After 45 minutes, take it out of the oven, stir in the cheese, and bake it for another 15 minutes.  Sometimes I sprinkle a little cheese on the top too :)

Stir in the cheese...

 

This is what it should look like coming out of the oven for the first time.

 

Sprinkle some cheese on top, and back in the oven!

  After 15 more minutes, take it out of the oven, and  get ready to dig in!

Menu Planning- Did I seriously just write that?!

Alright, so don't get too used to this, but I did something extraordinary today.  I planned out how many nights I would be home this coming week or so for dinner, and actually put some thought into what I wanted to make.  Seems like a pretty common thing for people to do, right?  Well, it's not something I'm accustomed to doing.  Usually I just wander the store and buy whatever looks delicious, but now that the weather is getting cooler, I am so motivated to be in the kitchen, that I thought some planning might be in order.   So I went through some old recipes and thought about trying some new ones who's ingredients overlapped a little bit, and I went to one of my favorite places....  Wegmans.

source of this photo

 If Trader Joes is where I go for all of my favorite cheats, prepared foods, and short cuts, Wegmans is where I go to satisfy my every food whim. I actually have made a ritual out of stopping at the cafe for a coffee (pumpkin latte today) and a cookie, and I slowly meander through the isles, just taking it all in.  I just don't understand my friends who hate grocery shopping!  What better way to spend a Friday after work, than unwinding in the produce section of your local Wegmans?  Alright, I'm getting a little carried away, but in all seriousness, this is fun for me.

Anyway, I had a wonderful time shopping, unpacked my groceries and am now settling in for a lovely, quiet weekend of cleaning, gardening, lawn mowing, some Dr. Who, and LOTS of cooking!  On the menu this week will hopefully be the following:
Chili
Corn Casserole
Chicken Tortilla Soup
Chicken and Spinach Flautas
Apple Bread Pudding
Caramel Sauce

Stay tuned for some awesome new recipes, my fruit/veggie bowl is overflowing!

Chicken-Not-Pie

This may have been one of the first recipes that I created where I thought, "I should really start a food blog."  It's not beautiful to look at, or complicated to make.  It is delicious, easy, and comforting.  The first time I made this meal was for a cast party.  It was a chilly winter day and I was getting ready to host 25 hungry actors and production staff, and really all I wanted to have was a big chicken pot pie.  Now, since I was going to be at the theater up until a few minutes before everyone arrived, it dawned on me that I could call on my dear old friend, the crockpot.

We have been through a lot together, some good, some not so good, but on this particular day, she really came through for me.  Basically, what I did was think about what goes into a pot pie, throw it all together in the pot, and when I got home, I baked off some flaky biscuits and tada!!!  Deconstructed chicken pot pie, or as I've come to call it:  Chicken Not Pie.  It was a huge hit and the recipe has definitely made its way through my friend group.

Here's what you need:

1 small onion, diced

1-2 clove of garlic, minced (I left this out this time because I didn’t have any)

2-3carrots, cut up in bite sized pieces

2-3 pieces of celery (I like the ones on the inside with the leafy greens) cut to bite sized pieces

1 good sized russet potato cubed

3 boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces

salt, pepper, any fresh herbs you like-I used parsley this time, but rosemary, thyme, and sage have been yummy in the past

1 can each of cream of chicken soup and cream of celery (I used the low fat

of the chicken)

1 cup of frozen peas

Now really all you have to do is throw everything into the crockpot, except the peas, season with salt and pepper, mix it together and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 7-8.  When you pre-heat the oven for the biscuits,   toss the peas into the crockpot and stir them in.

Just before serving bake off some biscuits, I like the easy flaky ones in a can, but by all means, make homemade ones if you have the time!  Break a biscuit in half, put them in the bottom of a bowl, and pour the chicken "filling" on top, or do one half on the bottom and top it with the other half.

  Curl up with a good book, or invite a bunch of friends over and enjoy!  

I have to add that I've had a weekend of killer migraines, and it was so comforting to get this started today, crawl in bed with the kitties for a medicine induced nap, and then wake up to the delicious smell of Chicken Not Pie, bubbling away.  Perfect for a tough day with brain pain!