Monday, March 22, 2010

Florentine Dream Burgers

Add 2T of EVOO and rosemary to skillet. Add burgers to hot pan and sear until golden brown and cooked through, 4-5 min per side. While burgers are cooking, simmer cheese sauce until thickened and warm, about 2 min. Serve burgers on ciabatta buns topped with a ladelful of cheese sauce and a sprinkle of shredded spinach.

Full recipe under October 2009.

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Marinated Chicken

Thaw the chicken completely. Grill over med. high heat for 15 - 20 minutes. (The chicken breasts are pretty huge. We fed four adults and 3 kids with just four of the chicken breasts tonight.)
For the couscous, we like to make it with half-water, half apple juice, and we throw in a handful or two of craisins when it is done.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

White Cheddar, Bacon and Thyme Mac 'n Cheese

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese, or as needed
  • 1 pound mezze (short) penne pasta
  • 1 pound thick sliced bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
  • 1/4 cup butter
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 4 cups milk
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
  • sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3 1/2 cups shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese, divided

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish, and sprinkle 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese around the inside of the dish.
  2. Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil. Once the water is boiling, stir in the penne, and return to a boil. Cook the penne uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
  3. Place the bacon pieces into a large, deep skillet, and cook over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until evenly browned, about 10 minutes. Drain the bacon slices on a paper towel-lined plate. Retain 1/4 cup of bacon drippings. Set the bacon pieces aside.
  4. Melt butter and bacon drippings together in a large saucepan over medium heat, and cook and stir the onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Whisk in the flour, stirring frequently until the mixture forms a smooth paste. Whisk in the milk, a little at a time, and bring the mixture to a simmer, whisking constantly until thickened. Stir in the thyme, salt, and pepper, and then whisk in 1/4 cup Parmesan and 3 cups Cheddar cheese, stirring constantly until the Cheddar cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and thick.
  5. Stir the cooked penne pasta into the cheese sauce, then lightly mix in the cooked bacon. Spread the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese over the top. Cover the dish with foil.
  6. Bake in the preheated oven until the pasta is hot and bubbling, about 25 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven, and turn on the broiler. Remove the foil, and broil the dish until the cheese topping is browned and crisp, about 5 minutes.

Monday, March 8, 2010

March Exchange
7:45, Wednesday March 17, Chelsey's House

Chelsey - Salisbury Meatballs
Emily - White Cheddar, Bacon and Thyme Mac 'n Cheese
Jessica - Marinated Chicken with couscous
Brittani - Florentine Burgers
Nikki -Roasted Red Pepper and Sausage soup

5 in total