Homemade Macaroni and Cheese

As you might be able to tell from the photo, this was not really our favorite dinner. It wasn't terrible, in fact, is was actually pretty good, just not great. For anyone who likes to customize recipes, this might be just your thing. I'm sure with a few adjustments it wouldn't be hard to get some awesome Mac-n-cheese. I'll even suggest a few things I had in mind as we ate it: add some broccoli or spinach, or even diced ham if you don't mind adding some meat. Definitely use a good, firm cheddar. And if you're going to put breadcrumbs on the top, I'm afraid the only way to keep them from looking like sand on top of your pasta (and tasting a bit that way too) is to combine them with some butter so they can get golden and toasty.

I'll write the recipe pretty much as I made it, and you can make your adjustments from there. Happy cooking!

Homemade Macaroni and Cheese
1/2 box bowties or other pasta
1-2 T olive oil
1-2 T flour
1 1/2 cups milk
1 cup mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 cups Mexican blend cheese
1/3 cups seasoned bread crumbs
cooking spray

Bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil and add pasta. Cook until just short of al dente.

Meanwhile, in a medium-sized pot, heat olive oil and add flour. Cook for a few minutes to create roux, being careful not to let it burn. Whisk in milk, then add cheeses. Stir until no lumps remain in cheese sauce.

Stir cheese sauce into slightly undercooked pasta, then pour pasta into greased baking dish. Sprinkle bread crumbs over top of pasta and coat with cooking spray. (Yeah, that was the fatal flaw. Got to have butter in those bread crumbs, I'm afraid.)

Bake in oven preheated to 350 F for 10-15 minutes, until bread crumbs are toasty. Makes 4-6 servings.

Bean and Cheese Taco Bake

Before I start on my listed menus, I thought I'd get some practice in blogging and food photography by showcasing a few things I've made lately. I know my photography leaves a lot to be desired, especially in comparison to the professional looking photos I've seen in so many blogs. I hope you will not be deterred from trying some of these recipes due to their lackluster photos. There's an old saying about not judging a book by its cover, and I think that is applicable here. Hopefully along the way my skillz will improve and I will eventually get some photos that do justice to the deliciousness of the food!

One more thing: I have been trying the last couple of months to incorporate more vegetarian (or maybe meatless would be a more appropriate term) meals into our family's diet. This recipe was great as written, but I'm sure it would also be great with some seasoned taco meat or chicken, if you should feel moved to do so.

Bean and Cheese Taco Bake
1 Tbs. olive oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 can (10 oz.) red enchilada sauce
1/2 cup mild or medium salsa (or go for hot if you prefer)
1 can (15 oz.) black beans
1/2 bag tortilla chips (or maybe a whole bag)
1 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese

Lightly grease 6 x 10* baking pan and heat oven to 375 F.

In a medium-sized skillet, heat oil and add onion. Cook approximately five minutes, until onion is tender and slightly browned. Stir in enchilada sauce, salsa, and beans and heat through.

Lightly crush a few handfuls of chips and place at bottom of greased baking pan. Pour about half of bean mixture over chips, then cover with about half of the cheese. Layer with more chips and remaining bean mixture and cheese. Bake approximately 10 minutes, until cheese is melted and lightly golden.

*Note: I am guessing on the pan size. It is a small pan, definitely smaller than 9 x 13, that fits perfectly inside our toaster oven, which we keep outside on the porch so we don't have to heat up the kitchen in the already insane summer heat.

This made about four large servings. I had mine on top of a bed of salad, which tasted great.

One more note: the original recipe called for the entire can of enchilada sauce and two cups of salsa. It seemed to me like that would be way too pungeant, not to mention overly liquescient, but if it suits you, go for it!