Mac and Cheese

Hmmmm.......  What else can you say about homemade mac and cheese?  It's comfort food x a million.

I made this for Adam's 1st birthday party and it was a hit.  So simple to make, creamy and tasty.  It's done in under 30 minutes.  If you want, throw the completed mac and cheese in a casserole dish, cover with breadcrumbs and shredded cheddar and bake on 375 until melted and golden brown.

I got this recipe from Food Network.com.

Stove Top Macaroni and Cheese
Serves 6


1/2 pound elbow macaron
4 tablespoons butter
2 eggs
6 ounces evaporated milk
1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh black pepper
3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
10 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded

1. In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente and drain. Return to the pot and melt in the butter. Toss to coat. 

2. Whisk together the eggs, milk, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and mustard. Stir into the pasta and add the cheese. Over low heat continue to stir for 3 minutes or until creamy.

Foolproof Brown Rice

I know, I know....." A recipe for brown rice?" you're thinking.  But, if you are like most people, brown rice scares the b'jeebers out of you.  It's so much more healthy for you, but tends to be crunchy and just not like white rice. 

I tried feeding more brown rice to the family, but it always went over like a lead balloon.  Abe would even grimace when I said I was making it.  So, after all of that rejection ::sniff::::, I went against my better judgment and just went back to making white rice.

Until I found this recipe.  Now I LOVE brown rice.  Even Abe and Jimi.... yes, Jimi.... will eat it.  I won't fool you.  It's no white rice.  But it is a pretty attractive cousin.  And as the song says, if you can't be with the one you love, love the one you're with. 

So, embrace the brown rice.  Your heart and waistline will thank you.

I got this recipe from a Cook's Illustrated Light Recipes magazine.

Foolproof Brown Rice
Serves 6

1 1/2 cups brown rice
2 1/3 cup water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Adjust oven rack to middle position; heat oven to 375 degrees.  Spread rice in 8-inch square glass baking dish.

2.  Bring water and oil to boil, covered in medium saucepan over high heat; once boiling, immediately stir in salt and pour water over rice.  Over baking dish tightly with double layer of foil.  Bake rice 1 hour, until tender.

3.  Remove baking dish from oven and uncover.  Fluff rice with fork, then cover dish with a clean kitchen towel; let rice stand 5 minutes.  Uncover and let rice stand 5 minutes longer; serve immediately.