Flavorful Mac and Cheese

Flavorful Mac and Cheese

Dec 22, 2023 | Dinner, Food, Holiday Food

I’m not a Mac and Cheese Lover, but my little people are! Therefore, I had to establish a recipe packed with flavor that would fill their bellies and hearts!

Prep Time: 10 minutes (quicker if you buy veggies diced already)

Cook Time: 35 minutes

Serves: 10 people

Kitchen Tools Needed: Boiler, sauce pot, cheese grater, wooden spoon, baking dish, measuring cups

 

Ingredients

  • 16 oz Pasta (Shells or elbow noodles)
  • 6 cups Chicken Broth (I used powder and added tablespoons to water.)
  • 1 stick Garlic and Herb Butter
  • 1 stick Salted Butter 
  • Salt (to taste)
  • White and Black Pepper (to taste)
  • ½ teaspoon Onion Powder
  • ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
  • ½ Mustard powder
  • Eggs (optional)
  • 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
  • 1 cup Half and Half
  • ½ Parsley – fresh or dried
  • 4 oz Cream Cheese and 4 oz Velveeta Cheese —adds some amazing texture and moisture
  • 8 oz American & 8 oz Cheddar  Cheese—adds amazing flavor 
  • 8 oz each: Mozzarella, Colby Jack, and Mexican Blend Cheese 
  • Egg – This helps hold layers together (optional). I don’t use it unless I’m doubling the recipe.

Prep and Cooking Instructions:

Step 1

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  • Place Garlic and herb Butter, chicken broth( I use powder form) water in a large stock pot (boiler), and bring to a boil. Add in pasta and cook to desired tenderness (don’t overcook).

Step 2

  • Add marinara, salt, pepper, sugar, parsley and all other spices to taste-I usually use at least a teaspoon of all; bring to a simmer, then cover and simmer for 5 minutes.

Step 3

  • Make the cheese filling – Combine half and half, heavy whipping cream, all the cheeses, and seasonings into a sauce pot to create cheese sauce.
  • Prep – Once pasta is done draining, put it back in the pot, add a stick of salted butter, and allow it to melt. Then add the cheese sauce mixture.

Step 4

  • Assemble – Pour mac and cheese into a baking dish and top with extra cheese. Sprinkle some smoked paprika and parsley on top.

Step 5

  • Bake –35 minutes if the egg is added. If the egg is not used, bake only until the cheese is melted and the crust is bubbly.
  • Rest – Let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving

Additional Cooking Tips: Don’t forget to add an additional abundance of LOVE!

Delicious Fried Chicken

Delicious Fried Chicken

Dec 22, 2023 | Dinner, Food, Holiday Food

Prep Time: 15 minutes 

Cook Time: 15 minutes per batch

Serves: 10 people

Ingredients

  • Preferred Chicken pieces  
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • Tony’s seasoning to taste.
  • Cayenne pepper 
  • 1 teaspoon Onion Powder
  • 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
  • 2 all-purpose flour or chicken fry ( I like House -Autry or Louisiana) 
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch 
  • 2 teaspoons mustard
  • Frying oil or peanut oil
  • 1 ½ cups buttermilk
  • 2 lemon or a ½ cup of lemon juice

Prep and Cooking Instructions:

Step 1

Wash chicken in cold water and lemon juice, then pat dry with paper towels. If you prep it’s good to poke holes in chicken with a fork and soak chicken in buttermilk with a tablespoon of seasoning salt,½ teaspoon paprika, cayenne pepper, onion powder, and garlic powder,  overnight preferable. Nevertheless, 20 min is good if you’re in a rush. Cover the top tightly with plastic wrap and the juiciness that this add is incredibly good!

Step 2

Once you remove chicken from buttermilk, season lightly with Tony’s to your liking and the mustard. (PLEASE SEASON YOUR CHICKEN, PEOPLE!)

Step 3

Heat your frying oil in a deep fryer or dutch pot to 350 degrees! (I like to use enough oil to submerge the chicken so it cooks evenly.)

Step 4

If you are using all purpose flour, season it to taste with Tony’s, garlic powder, and onion powder. If you are substituting with Chicken Fry (which I love) you don’t need to season it. Add the cornstarch to whichever batter you choose.

Step 5

Coat your chicken with the flour base. Be sure  to coat well.

Step 6

Dust any excess flour and drop chicken into the frying pan once oil has reached 350 degrees.

Step 7

Cook until chicken is golden brown and internal temperature is 170. I like to say if you’re using a deep frying pan the chicken should begin to float and the chicken should be crispy!

Step 8

Remove chicken from the pan and use paper towels, sandwich bread, or a cooling rack to  soak up excess oil. Continue to repeat in batches until all your chicken has been fried!

Additional Cooking Tips: Don’t forget to add an additional abundance of LOVE!

 

 

Potato Soup Recipe

Potato Soup Recipe

Feb 10, 2023 | Dinner, Food, Lunch

Ingredients

  • 6 strips (uncooked) bacon, cut into small pieces
  • 3 tablespoons garlic and herb butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
  • 3 large garlic cloves, minced
  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 ½ lbs gold potatoes peeled and diced into pieces no larger than 1”
  • 4 cups chicken broth
  • 2 cups milk
  • ⅔ cup heavy whipping cream
  • 1 ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon of onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon cumin
  • ⅔ cup sour cream
  • Shredded cheddar cheese, chives, and additional sour cream and bacon for topping (optional)

Prep and Cooking Instructions:

Step 1

Dice and place bacon pieces in a large Dutch Oven pot over medium heat and cook until bacon is crisp and browned.

Step 2

Remove bacon pieces and set aside, leaving the bacon grease in the pot.

Step 3

Add butter and chopped onion, garlic, celery, and parsley to a pot, cooking over medium heat until tender.

Step 4

Sprinkle the flour over the ingredients in the pot and stir until smooth (I use a whisk).

Step 5

Add diced potatoes to the pot along with chicken broth, milk, heavy cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, onion powder, and chili powder. Stir well.

Step 6

Bring to a boil and cook until potatoes are tender.

Step 7

Reduce heat to simmer and smash potatoes until desired texture.

Step 8 

Add sour cream and half of the bacon pieces. Stir well. Allow soup to simmer for 15 minutes before serving.

Step 9

Top with additional sour cream, bacon, cheddar cheese, or chives.

Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

Feb 7, 2023 | Dinner, Food, Lunch

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 1 stick garlic and herb butter
  • 1-pound boneless skinless chicken thighs or breast (2½ cups rotisserie chicken when in a hurry) 
  • Creole seasoning, salt, and white pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups carrots sliced 
  • 1 1/2 cups celery sliced 
  • 1 onion diced
  • 4-6 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 8 cups chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons granulated chicken bouillon or bouillon cubes 
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley or 3 TBS fresh
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion soup mix
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • Pinch red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 4 bay leaves
  • 2 cups half and half 
  • 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch 
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch 
  • 2 cups wide egg noodles, uncooked
  • 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Prep and Cooking Instructions:

Step 1

Season chicken with ½ teaspoon creole seasoning and ½ teaspoon salt & pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat in a large Dutch pot. Once hot, add the chicken and sear until golden, about 3 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a plate but leave the drippings.

Step 2

Melt 1 stick of butter with 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in the drippings. Once melted, increase heat to medium-high and add onions, carrots, and celery; sauté for 4 minutes scraping up the golden bits on the bottom of the pot. 

Step 3

Add garlic and sauté. Slowly sprinkle in the flour, constantly stirring for a few minutes; don’t allow the flour to stick to the bottom of the pot. This will prevent it from burning. Don’t hesitate to add additional oil if needed.

Step 4

Return chicken to the pot, and add in the chicken broth, bay leaves bouillon, other seasonings, and ½ teaspoon salt. Cover the soup and bring to a simmer over high heat, then reduce and simmer for 10-12 minutes (until chicken is tender enough to shred). Please stir occasionally to prevent the bottom from burning.

Step 5

Once the chicken becomes tender, move it to a cutting board and shred it with a fork.

Step 6

In a small measuring cup whisk cornstarch with half and half until smooth, then stir into the soup pot. Add the noodles and bring to a boil; simmer until noodles are tender, approximately 6 minutes (don’t overcook noodles!).

Step 7

Reduce heat to low and stir in Parmesan followed by shredded chicken. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if desired. Stir in the additional broth if desired for a less “chunky” soup. 

Lentil Soup Recipe

Lentil Soup Recipe

Feb 5, 2023 | Dinner, Food, Lunch, Main Menu

 

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil 
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 4 medium garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
  • 2 medium celery stalks, diced
  • 1 cup brown or green lentils, dry
  • 2 ½ cups vegetable broth, unsalted
  • 1 can (28oz) diced tomatoes
  • 2 handfuls baby spinach, chopped
  • Juice of half a lemon
  • 2 teaspoons cumin, ground
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric, ground
  • 1 tablespoon onion powder
  • 1 tablespoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion soup mix
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Creole, salt & pepper more or less to taste

Prep and Cooking Instructions:

Step 1

Chop all veggies and set them aside.

Step 2

Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes or until fragrant. Add the diced carrots and celery. Sauté for another 10 minutes.

Step 3

Stir in the lentils and all seasonings. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes and broth. Stir together and bring to a boil over high heat.

Step 4

Reduce heat and allow to simmer, covered, for 30-35 minutes or until the lentils and vegetables are cooked and tender. Remember to stir occasionally.

Step 5

Once everything is done, stir in the spinach and lemon juice. Cook for 2-3 minutes until the spinach softens. Serve immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christmas-Themed Dessert Charcuterie Board Recipe

Christmas-Themed Dessert Charcuterie Board Recipe

Dec 22, 2022 | Dessert, Food, Holiday Food

 

Prep Time:

10 mins

Cooking Time:

0 mins 

Serves:

6-8 people

 

This super easy recipe is a fun twist on a classic charcuterie board! Instead of meat and cheese, the board is dessert themed with a variety of sweet Christmas treats.

Ingredients

  • Peppermint bark
  • Chocolate covered pretzels
  • Christmas Oreos
  • Christmas M&M’s 
  • Christmas tree-shaped cakes, cookies, and brownies
  • Chocolate covered strawberries

Prep Instructions:

Step 1

First, find a large cutting board or platter as your base. Then, pull together all of the yummy desserts you want on your board. I recommend choosing treats with different flavors and textures. Feel free to mix up the ingredients based on your preferences! 

Step 2

Place the Christmas M&Ms into small bowls and place them on the platter. I recommend putting smaller ingredients or dips into small bowls and building the board around the bowls.

Step 3

The next part is easy! Assemble the remaining desserts (peppermint bark, chocolate-covered pretzels, Oreos, cakes, cookies, brownies, and chocolate-covered strawberries) around your board and serve!

 

This recipe is great for dinner parties and events where people will be mingling and snacking. I hope you and your family try and enjoy a dessert charcuterie board this holiday season!