Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Mac and cheesy!

Because I promised :) I made two 9x13 pans the other night for a family at our church and I must say, it was awesome. Not because I made it but because I googled "real mac and cheese recipe" and picked the one with the most stars and reviews (heart google).  

A few changes I made:
-I altered it a little and used colby and cheddar cheese and of course some fresh parmesan.  
(You can also add mustard or tobasco for a slight different kick) :)
-I used shells instead of macaroni noodles



Fannie Farmer's Mac and Cheese


Ingredients:

Prep Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
  1. 1 Preheat oven to 400°F.
  2. 2 Cook and drain macaroni according to package directions; set aside.
  3. 3 In a large saucepan melt butter.
  4. 4 Add flour mixed with salt and pepper, using a whisk to stir until well blended.
  5. 5 Pour milk and cream in gradually; stirring constantly.
  6. 6 Bring to boiling point and boil 2 minutes (stirring constantly).
  7. 7 Reduce heat and cook (stirring constantly) 10 minutes.
  8. 8 Add shredded cheddar little by little and simmer an additional 5 minutes, or until cheese melts.
  9. 9 Turn off flame.
  10. 10 Add macaroni to the saucepan and toss to coat with the cheese sauce.
  11. 11 Transfer macaroni to a buttered baking dish.
  12. 12 Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
  13. 13 Bake 20 minutes until the top is golden brown.
  14. 14 You can also freeze this recipe in zip-lock bags for later use - once you have mixed the macaroni along with the cheese sauce allow to cool to room temperature before adding to your freezer - I generally pull it out the night before and allow macaroni and cheese to reach room temperature; I then add the macaroni and cheese to a buttered baking dish, sprinkle with bread crumbs and then bake for 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown on top and bubbling.

Monday, June 20, 2011

French bread.

So my sis and I ALL throughout college would go to Safeway each night and get a loaf of French bread (we definitely weren't the college gals concerned with no carbs).  The other night, while feeling defeated that our dinner salad had no carbs with it, I thought I would google (verb) and see how hard it would be.  It was soooo amazing!  Please each go make it :) It even looks "French."





ingredients

How to make it

  • Oil a sheet pan, sprinkle with cornmeal. Mix 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, salt and yeast. Add butter. Gradually add warm water to dry ingredients and beat 2 minutes. Stir in enough additional flour to make a stiff dough. Turn on floured surface and knead until smooth, 8-10 minutes. Place back in bowl and cover with plastic wrap or towel. Rest dough for 20 minutes.Divide dough in half, roll out on lightly floured surface to 10x15 inch rectangle. Roll up and taper ends. Place bread on prepared pan, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. When ready to bake, let stand at room temp. for 10 minutes. Slash across tops. Bake 20 to 25 minutes. Combine egg white and water. Brush on bread and bake additional 5 to 10 minutes longer.
Enjoy! (Mac and Cheese Recipe to come)

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Blessed.

Just a few (relative to how many I took) previews of part of the last week. I didn't get any pictures from my amazing trip to Cali for my beautiful friend's baby shower but I will post when I get them!

Here are a few from an amazing four days with some of the greatest people I know...a little place so dear to our hearts (we were graciously allowed to honeymoon here) that we like to call- The Ranch.


Ephesians 3:21 Now unto Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we think or ask...

-got quite muddy on a rhino ride
-great conversation with some of the best moms I know (and their great husbands, too)
-time with the greatest man I know
-blue skies, fluffy clouds, fresh air, guns, a vita-mix, fishing, great food...abundance.
-getting to know our Maker more in His creation
-teepee time!
-gold mines
-old homes and model-t's
-fishing derbies

Thank you, Jesus for ALL you give. I am humbled.










Really? Yes.  Psalm 65:8 "You make the dawn and sunset shout for joy."






Men being men.


Apparently it is possible to love someone more and more each day.

We borrowed a baby for this picture (he actually wouldn't get down so he joined us)!

Crazy?!?! Sooo old.

Yes, we mine.

Oops.  The parents left us in charge of them while they went riding and we encountered some mud...


PS: Pretty sure when all things are made right and we really see all of God's beauty (with everything back to Eden), that the world will look and feel something like this place.