Food for Thought...

As all of my blog followers know, I don't update this blog on a consistent, regular basis.  It's more like this:  I add a bunch of posts and then you don't hear from me for a while. Then in a couple of months I add some more posts and then I go silent.  I'm sure most of you have figured out it's not because I've stopped cooking, but because when I finally have a minute to sit down and post, I get as many in as possible to leave you with as much "food for thought" as I can.  So, hang in there with me.  Someday I hope to get more consistent again!  Enjoy for now - see you in a while!  :)

Mac-n-Cheese for Family Movie Night

We have started a new little tradition of Family Movie Night with the girls and they absolutely love it.  We find a family movie and eat dinner and other fun snacks while watching it.  The girls live for this day once per week.  This particular night I made mac-n-cheese with peas and ham.

This recipe originated with my Aunt Laura when my sister and I were kids.  It's a hit every time! 

Aunt Laura's Mac-n-Cheese with Peas & Ham:
(My stove top version)


White Sauce - 
2 tbsp. butter
2 tbsp. flour
1 cup milk
Salt & Pepper to Taste
Melt the butter and stir in the flour until smooth and bubbly.  Then add the milk, constantly stirring until thickened.  Add salt & pepper to taste.

8 oz. macaroni
8 oz. extra sharp cheddar cheese
1 small ham steak, cubed
1 cup frozen peas
Toasted breadcrumbs (see instructions below)

Cook the macaroni according to the package directions.  In a large skillet or pan, combine cooked macaroni, white sauce, cheese, ham, and peas.  Mix together over medium heat until cheese is melted. 
For the toasted breadcrumbs, pour 1/2 cup of seasoned breadcrumbs into a small saute pan and swirl the pan over high heat until they start to brown.  Sprinkle over each serving or over entire casserole as the topping.  Voila!  It tastes almost as good as putting it in the oven!

I have these adorable enamel crocks that made for a more contained, personal meal and added little more fun. 

Sunday Dinner

Several weeks ago my parents came over for Sunday dinner and I just wanted to have a nice meal since I had to stay home from church with all of my sick kiddos.  Well, this menu surely didn't disappoint!  We had stuffed mini sweet peppers for appetizers.

Then we had steak with blue cheese sauce, mashed potatoes, and green beans.  It was a simple, hearty meal and oh, so good!

I found my recipe for the steak on Pioneer Woman's blog and the stuffed Pero sweet peppers on the back of the bag.  Angelina helped me by holding the peppers upright while I piped the stuffing into them. 

I also used a london broil (my personal favorite cut) because it was 3 times less expensive than the ribeye that the original recipe called for.

The Best Pecan Pie

I have a very deep respect for the elderly and the things they can teach us.  I also usually assume they are good cooks because they've been at it so long.  So, when I was told that my pecan pie might even be better than my uncle's southern mother's pecan pie, I felt very honored because she was an incredible cook.  However, all I can say is that I just followed the recipe from Betty Crocker's cookbook.  It's a no fail recipe and it's just in time for Thanksgiving!

P.S.  Always make your own crust.  Store bought is just plain old nasty!

Kale Chips

I've heard of kale chips, but I've never actually had them.  So, when our good friends gave me their food dehydrator due to moving, I thought I'd try them out.  I coated the chopped kale with olive oil and sprinkled kosher salt on them.

Then I cut pieces of parchment paper to fit the trays in the dehydrator and let them dry for several hours while rotating the trays from bottom to top.

The end result was really good and actually kind of addicting!  The only thing I learned is that you can't keep them in an airtight container because in a couple of days they become rancid.  I think it is due to the oil I coated them with. 

Recipes from Martha

Martha Stewart's Living magazine had a baked sweet potato topped with sauteed brussel sprouts, blue cheese, pecans, and dried cranberries.  It looked amazing and it really was!  It was really filling too. 

Then sometimes I like to have cooked chicken on hand for sandwiches, salad or chicken salad. I always use Martha's poached chicken recipe and then I use the liquid it's cooked in as chicken broth.  It works great every time.  Store the chicken in an airtight container for the next couple of days for instant meals!

Chocolate Shortbread Bars with Reeses Pieces

I found this recipe for Chocolate Shortbread on one of my new favorite blogs, Picky Palate. She used Candy Corn M&Ms but according to her story it is quite the hunt for these things, so I just saved myself the trouble and used Reeses Pieces.  They're my favorite anyway!   These didn't last long and were very good!  If you can eat just one, you won't completely destroy your diet!