Cheesy Macaroni and Cheese

I've never done homemade mac and cheese before...so i thought why not?

http://mommyimhungry.blogspot.com/2011/08/cheesy-macaroni-and-cheese.html

16 oz macaroni pasta (any shape shape you like)
1/2 C butter
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 C flour
3 1/2 C milk, warmed
1/4 C white wine (or sub w/chicken broth)
1/2 lb Velveeta cheese, cubed
1/2 lb cheddar, cubed
1/2 C panko bread crumbs
1 Tbl parsley
2 Tbl butter, melted

Heat 350' oven. Grease 9x13 glass dish ( 8x8 or round casserole, if making half the recipe).
Cook pasta for about 2-3 minutes less than called for, drain, set aside.
In a saucepan, melt 1/2 C butter, salt pepper, once melted add flour, stir until smooth. Let cook for 1 minute. Add milk, wine, bring to a boil, whisking. Add cheeses and stir until melted. Pour over cooked pasta and add to greased dish. Combine the panko, parsley and melted butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle macaroni with panko topping, bake uncovered 30 minutes.

It was yummy :) the only thing i would add would be spice! Jason put a pepper in his.
This is going on the keeper list :)

Garlic Parmesan Edamame

So this is the last one i have for now, ill try to do some more soon!! If you have one you'd like me to try (please no super crazy hard ones...or ones with weird ingredients) let me know. post it here, tag me on your pin, or put it on my facebook.....let me note im attempting to be kinda healthy...but i can still make some stuff that isn't as healthy...

I have been on a sushi kick since being pregnant....really i just like the cucumber avocado roll :) heaven!!! since going to sushi so often...we have what we call sushi tuesday at work (can wait for that to start up again) and i decided to try edamame during this time ha. i quite like it so i was happy to see this recipe

http://28cooks.blogspot.com/2008/10/garlic-parmesan-edamame-so-other-night.html

1 (16 oz) pkg frozen edamame in shell
1/2 c extra-virgin olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c Italian-seasoned bread crumbs
1/2 c freshly grated Parmesan cheese
salt to taste

Steam edamame in microwave until slightly warm and not frozen. (You can do this one of 2 ways - I have a microwave steamer that I use, or even easier is throwing the edamame in a ziploc bag with about a tbsp of water, sealing it, leaving a small opening for steam, and heating it on high for 2 minutes) Drain and set aside.

In a small food processor, combine olive oil and garlic. Process until well-combined. Heat a wok over medium high heat. Add edamame and toss for a few seconds. Add garlic oil and saute for a minute or two, stirring constantly. Add breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and salt and toss until well coated. Serve immediately.

So my first mistake...i used a 10 oz bag....glad i can read eh? i didn't rea;ize this until i was done and had so much extra stuff. Other than that i really enjoyed this! so did my husband and sister :) Keeper list!

Raspberry lemonade smoothie

I looove flavored lemonade so there was no questio of this one getting made!!! http://www.delightfully-tacky.com/2012/03/raspberry-lemonade-smoothies.html What you'll need: 1 can of lemonade concentrate 1 1/2 cups of frozen raspberries 1 tray of ice 1 can of water Just add the can of lemonade concentrate to your blender along with about a can or 3/4 can of water. I like raspberries, so I think I might have added more than 1.5 cups, so if you want less raspberries, you might need to add more ice to make up for less frozen raspberries. I used a whole tray of ice for mine, but if you play around with the quantities and it's not smoothie-y enough, you can always add a bit more ice to thicken it up.

It was a little tart for me at first so i added a couple handfuls of sugar. After that i loved it! jason still though it was too tart...i didn't mind! more for me!

Jalapeno Poppers

We were in need of something quick and easy to take to a family party...so i fiund this, worked great because we had jalapenos in our garden :) http://www.hellohue.com/2011/01/pop-em-like-theyre-hot.html You will need:: a can of Pillsbury Crescent dough about 2 tablespoons of cream cheese (give or take, depending on how much you want to use) 1-2 fresh jalapeños and about 3 strips of bacon (if you want... I always want bacon.) These amounts make 16 poppers. Oven pre-heated to 350 degrees F. Chop the jalapeños into small pieces. Clean out the seeds. Don't stick your fingers in your eyes or mouth for the rest of the day. Cut the bacon into pieces and then cook it up. I usually cut it up first cuz then you have nice, neat pieces and it doesn't get too crumbly. Just watch it so it doesn't burn. Unless you like burnt bacon. But that's weird. Roll out your dough. It's perforated into triangles, but I cut each triangle in half with a pizza cutter and do one popper on each half. Does that make sense? Sorry I didn't take pictures of that part. You can do it without cutting the crescents in half, and they'll just be a little bigger than bite size (and then the recipe will yield 8 larger poppers). Layer a small dollop of cream cheese, a piece or two of jalapeño, and bacon. Bring the corners of the dough together and twist them together at the top. Press the edges of the dough together so the insides don't gush out. Bake 10-15 minutes at 350 and munch away!

We loved these!!! we didn't quite have enough jalapenos so we used anahiems as well. We also did two cans of six, and a pount of bacon :) the more the better!. you can see in the picture how i cut them. there were a hit at the party!! Jason's cousin told us he was taking ay leftovers home. We have already made these again! we used some mystery pepper from our garden...a super spicy red tomato-ish looking one. This is on the keeper list for sure!!

Boston Market Cornbread

SORRY its been a bit...life happened :) i saw this and it sounded....interesting, so i had to try it! it said this is how disneyland does it....not sure if thats true or not.
http://thesistersdish.blogspot.com/2009/04/boston-market-cornbread.html
Ingredients:
1 box Jiffy Mix Cornbread Mix
1 box Jiffy Mix Yellow Cake Mix OR 2 boxes Jiffy Mix Cornbread Mix
1 box regular yellow cake mix
Directions: Mix both boxes according to directions, and combine the batter. You can use a large mixing bowl and combine both boxes of mix together and add the other ingredients all at once. If you have only boxes of Jiffy Mix, use a brownie sized baking pan, 8x8", if you are using a box of regular cake mix, use a 9x13" pan. Spray pan with cooking spray. Bake at 350 degrees until done, approx. 30 minutes. Test for doneness: insert a toothpick, it should come out clean.

I just used a marie calendars corn bread mix and a regular betty crocker yellow cake mix. I thought it was pretty good...kinda different. Not something i would have with chili or put honey on. Jason thought it was too sweet...but being the who he is...not letting food go to waste he still ate quite a bit of it.

Pizza crescent rolls

Okay so...this one wasn't on pinterest..i just thought it sounded good. :) I put 5 pepperoni's and a little handful of shredded cheese in one and wrapped the roll around it. Then I put pizza sauce on on top.

We liked them :) another easy lunch!

Fudgy Brownie Cookies

My mouth was watering when i found this pin! I was so excited to make this. http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/desserts/fudgy-brownie-cookies/ Ingredients 1 package (18 To 21 Oz. Box) Fudge Brownie Mix 1-¼ cup All-purpose Flour ¼ cups Packed Brown Sugar 2 whole Eggs ½ cups Butter, Melted And Cooled 2 Tablespoons Water, Or More As Needed 1 cup Dark Chocolate Chunks Preparation Instructions 1. Whisk together brownie mix, flour, and sugar. 2.Using a heavy spoon, stir in the eggs one at a time, followed by butter and 2 tablespoons water. If the batter appears like there is too much flour, add 1 more tablespoon of water. Batter will be very thick. 3. Fold in chocolate chunks 4. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours. 5. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 6. Grease a cookie sheet. 7. Drop heaping tablespoons of dough on the cookie sheet. You want pretty thick cookies here to get the brownie feel, about 3 inches apart. Press down slightly. Don’t flatten completely. Bake for 8-10 minutes. 8. Remove from oven, allow to cool 2 minutes on cookie sheet. Transfer to a cooling rack to cool completely.

So i couldn't wait...and i didn't refrigerate for the 2 hours. They still turned out just fine. They are yummy!!! I will be making these again soon!!

Clean Eating Roasted Summer Squash

I love zucchini and yellow squash! So i was excited to make this ones. http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-roasted-summer-squash/ Ingredients 4 large zucchini 2 large yellow squash 2 tsp. Garlic powder 1/2 tsp. Pepper Olive oil – In an oil sprayer 1/8 cup parmesan cheese Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Step 1 – Chop your squash into large, chunky slices about 1/2 to 3/4 inch thickness. Step 2 – Spray a cookie sheet with a light coat of olive oil. Step 3 – Line up your squash slices like little soldiers. Don’t worry about leaving any space between them. They’ll cook just fine scrunched together. Step 5 – Spray a very light coat of olive oil over the top of your squash. Step 6 – Sprinkle your spices, including the parmesan over your squash. Step 7 – Bake for approximately 30-45 minutes, or until they have a very light golden hue to them, and you can easily push a fork through them. Step 8 – Allow to cool slightly and serve!

I think i cooked mine a little too long, it was a bit dry. The flavor was really good though. Next time i will not go over 30 minutes. :)

Dad's Meat Loaf

I love meat loaf, but its even better with sausage in it :) http://www.mrfood.com/Beef/Dads-Meat-Loaf/ml/1 Ingredients 1 pound ground beef 1 pound ground pork 1/2 cup chopped onion 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs 2 eggs 1/2 cup ketchup, divided 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1 tablespoon light brown sugar Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9- x 5-inch loaf pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine beef, pork, onion, bread crumbs, eggs, 1/4 cup ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper; mix well. Press mixture into prepared pan. In a small bowl, combine remaining ketchup and brown sugar; brush over meat loaf. Bake 1 to 1-1/4 hours, or until juices run clear. Allow to sit 5 minutes, then slice and serve.

We used spicy sausage and i didn't have an onion so i used minced onion. Also, I used two 8x4 bread pans instead. It turned out great!! My husband and i both enjoyed it! I will be saving this recipe for sure!

Pizza Grilled Cheese

So i used to have these all the time when i was little. my mom would make them in the grilled cheese maker. http://forkfulofcomfort.blogspot.com/2011/11/pizza-grilled-cheese.html Pizza Grilled Cheese Ingredients 4 sliced bread butter 4 mozzarella, sliced pepperoni (cut in half or mini) italian seasoning or basil parmesan cheese (opt) pizza sauce (for dipping) Cooking Directions *Warm a medium/large skillet over medium heat. Butter each piece of bread on one side. When skillet is hot place a piece of bread butter side down on the skillet then add one slice of cheese and small shake of Italian seasoning or basil (add a small shake of parmesan cheese here too if desired). Top with a desired amount of pepperonis (I used about 8 -10 whole regular pepperonis per sandwich) If any other toppings are desired, add now. Add another slice of mozzarella and top with slice bread butter side up. Repeat with second sandwich. When bottom slice is golden brown then flip over carefully. Once both sides are brown remove from pan cut and serve with pizza sauce if desired.

They were yummy and we will be making them again! Nice easy lunch!