Sunday, January 30, 2011

American Tastebuds

Mac + Cheese alla Martha + Amanda


*I found this recipe about two years ago on the Martha Stewart website.  It is THE BEST mac and cheese I have EVER had!! It is complicated, but well worth it.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.  In the past I've made some delicious substitutions.  I have omitted the cayenne pepper before, and I've used smoked swiss cheese instead of the Gruyere.  Below is the original.


Ingredients:
*plain bread crumbs
*7 tbs butter
*5 1/2 cups milk
*1/2 cup all-purpose flour
*1/4 tsp nutmeg
*1/4 tsp black pepper
*1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
*4 1/2 cups (8oz) grated sharp white cheddar cheese
*2 cups (8oz) grated Gruyere cheese
*1 pound elbow macaroni 


Directions:
*heat oven to 375 degrees.  
*ALWAYS shred the cheese before beginning anything else!! That was my very first mistake the initial time with this recipe.  You don't want that kind of workout--trust me.
*Melt 1 tbs butter, and fork in breadcrumbs...set aside.
*In a medium saucepan over medium heat milk (or you can do this in the microwave which I have done)
*In a high-sided skillet over medium heat melt 6 tbs butter.  When butter bubbles, add flour.  Cook, stirring.  1 minute
*Slowly pour hot milk into flour-butter mixture while whisking.  Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.  
*Remove pan from heat.  Stir in, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 cups of the cheddar cheese and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere.  Set cheese sauce aside.
*Cook macaroni as per direction on the box but under cook 2-3 minutes.
*Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce
*Pour the mixture into a casserole dish.  Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar and 1/2 cup Gruyere.  Scatter breadcrumbs over the top.  
*Bake until brown on top, about 30 minutes.  Cook for 5 before serving!
*ENJOY!!!! =)


LET'S GO GREEN BAY PACKERS, where cheese is made possible!!! 

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Lick Your Fingertips Frosting

Buttercream Frosting


Ingredients:
 *1 lb package of dominos powdered sugar
*1/2 cup butter/margarine
*4 tbs milk
*1 tsp vanilla


Directions: 
*Combine in large bowl with mixer at low speed 
*Beat until creamy 
*Add milk as needed for frosting consistency 


(pictures from Cassandra's cupcakes for our girl's night)


Saturday, January 15, 2011

Anna's Buffalo Wing Dip

Green Bay Packers Game + A Girl's Night


*The perfect dip for a football game and a night with the girls!


Ingredients:
*2 cans chicken
*1/2 cup hot sauce
*1/2 cup blue cheese dressing
*1 block cream cheese


Directions:
*Mix together in a sauce pan, and heat until creamy
*ENJOY!!! =)


Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Comfort + Joy

Chicken Soup for the Northeastern Soul








On a blustery, wintery day in January my favorite thing to warm me inside and out is a nice bowl of  soup.  We got about two feet of snow last night in New York, perfect day for a warm bowl.  =)


Ingredients:
*Organic Carrots
*Celery
*Sweet Onion
*Organic Free Range Chicken Broth 
*Water
Directions:
*Food process (easiest) or slice veggies 
*In a large pot add entire container of chicken broth and water (to taste)
*Add veggies
*Cook on medium heat until vegetables are soft
*Add salt + pepper
*ENJOY!!!


Monday, January 10, 2011

Salad Creation

Salad My Way!!



I promise that this will be the BEST salad you will ever feast upon!


*Organic Spring Salad Mix
*Organic Spinach
*Cucumber
*Shaved Carrots
*Celery
*Avocado
*Sugar-Snap Peas
*Mushrooms
*Hard-Boiled Egg
*Chick Peas
*Black Beans
*Multi-Grain Tortilla Chips
*Good Season Italian Salad Dressing Mix

ENJOY!!!! =) 

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Pear Muffins

A tweak of Nonno's Banana Muffins:


*This summer, when my grandfather was over he taught me his famous banana muffin recipe.  I have since tweaked it for pears and it tastes fabulous!!
Ingredients:
*1/3 cup whole wheat flour
*1/3 cup white flour
*1 cup instant oats
*4 tsps baking powder
*1 tsp cinnamon
*3/4 cup brown sugar
*1/2 cup walnuts
*2 eggs
*1 cup milk (I use almond milk)
*1/3 cup canola oil
*6 pears (or less depending on your taste)

Directions:  

*pre-heat oven to 350 
*make pear sauce (same as applesauce, but pears are more difficult to cook down.  Slice the pears fairly small, pour some water into the sauce pan, and add cinnamon to taste)
*mix dry ingredients in a bowl
*add wet ingredients
*MIX
*place in muffin pan
*cook for 20 minutes
*ENJOY =)

*Green Bay Packers apron is a must have for cooking in my kitchen!