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  1. Homemade Mac n' Cheese

    Thursday, August 30, 2012

    This dish was not as successful as I had thought it would be. Probably because my brothers are the pickiest eaters ever! Mom liked it. She cheated on her diet for it. Shhh.. don't tell.
    I got this recipe from, http://www.marthastewart.com/348566/john-legends-macaroni-and-cheese
    What you need:
     4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for baking dish
    Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
    3 cups elbow macaroni
    2 (12-ounce) cans evaporated milk
    1/3 cup skim milk, I used 2% milk, it doesn't make a difference.
    2 large eggs
    1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
    1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
    2 (8-ounce) packages extra-sharp cheddar cheese, grated. I would recommend using mild cheddar for kids taste buds.  
    1 (8-ounce) package Monterey Jack cheese, grated.

    This recipe has a lot of different things to be doing. I, for some reason, felt like I had to do it all at once. I started making it at 4:30 and it was done around 6. Part of that was probably because I was taking so many pictures.

    Alright, so preheat the oven to 375 degrees and butter, or spray, a 13x9 glass baking dish. This doesn't need to be done right away but don't forget! The butter is important.
    Boil the water then add the macaroni noodles. Follow the directions on the box to cook the pasta al dente. Tip: While cooking put a wooden spoon over the pot. It won't boil over. I didn't think it would actually work, but it does.
     After it is done, drain it, then add the butter. Toss it until the butter is completely melted. Then set it to the side to do some more! Like I said, do it one step at a time or you will feel overwhelmed. At least I did.
    In a bowl whisk the evaporated milk, skim milk, and eggs. After that's all mixed, add the seasoned salt, garlic powder, one teaspoon of salt, and half a teaspoon of pepper.
     While I was doing all of this, I put my lovely mom to work to grate the cheese. I would have but my hands are so little that they can't really do it very well. Tiny person problem. I suggest buying it already grated. Unless you want to grate 24 ounces of cheese, then go for it! Oh, and mix the two cheeses together!
    Mishap number one. I knew it wouldn't take long. I dropped the butter dish in the butter. I'm a clutz and I am sure it won't take long for that to really shine through.
     Once you have all your things cooked and mixed and grated, you can add them all together! Layer the macaroni and the cheese in three even layers. I only ended up with two layers because... I don't know why actually. If you use all the cheese let me know how because I don't know how you managed that. There was just so much cheese! Make sure you have buttered your dish!

     After you layer them, pour the milk mixture over evenly over it.


    Back the dish for 35 to 45 minutes or until lightly browned. I went by brownness and it only baked for 30 minutes so make sure you watch it as it bakes.
    While I waited I did my English homework! Yay for AP English!
    When its done let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. That was torture! I just wanted to eat it!
    Doesn't it look good?!
    Wy liked it. The other two complained. Next time I will use mild cheddar. And maybe add some bacon? I'll see about that one.

  2. Pasta Carbonara

    Sunday, August 26, 2012

    This recipe comes from The Skinnygirl Dish.

    It's a favorite amongst the boys. T calls it Bacon Noodles. I've made this before so the process went exceptionally smoothly with no mess.

    What you need:
    16 oz of any kind of pasta. I use fettuccine.
    3/4 cup of plain unflavored soy milk. Do not use vanilla! Any unflavored milk will do.
    2 eggs
    1/2 cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Freshly grated is not necessary.
    1 teaspoon of garlic salt. Halved
    1 teaspoon of black pepper. Also halved.
    2 tablespoons of butter
    8 slices of turkey bacon. Or any type of bacon. More is always good. No such thing as too much bacon.
    1 1/2 teaspoon of red pepper flakes. I use only 1 teaspoon.

    Cook your pasta as directed on the package. Make sure to use the entire package. I'll warn you that makes for a lot of left overs so I hope you like it.

    While the pasta is cooking, whisk together the milk, eggs, Parmesan cheese, half the garlic salt and half the black pepper. Set this aside until the pasta is done.

    While waiting for the pasta to cook I got a lot of, "Is it almost done?" and, "How much longer?" The boys sure were excited to dig in. Once they start to smell the bacon they get very impatient.
    Why does his back look so strange?
    The bacon needs to be cooked until crispy. After cooked it should be chopped into pieces. Big or small. it doesn't matter

    Drain the pasta quickly so that it stays hot. My mom thinks it funny that I stand on my tip toes when draining it cause I'm so short.

    Quickly coat the pasta with the mixture whisked together earlier. The hot pasta will cook the egg so that you don't eat raw eggs.

    Once completely coated add the butter, that I nearly forgot, the rest of the garlic salt and black pepper, red pepper flakes, and of course the bacon. Mix it all together.

    After all that it's ready to eat. My brothers love it. T loves it, that's an accomplishment. My parents don't eat it because they eat like cavemen a paleo diet.
    Wy gives it a thumbs up!