Drumroll Please...

Since Erica, Rebekah, and Leslie all commented about their mutual love of Macaroni and cheese... I have decided to bless you all with the coveted mama Crosby recipe for Mac 'n Cheese. My sis Jess just asked me for it last week (by the way her blog is soon to be coming!) Now remember this is NOT healthy, but as Paula Dean would say- "Honey, I'm your chef- Not your Doctor" haha.

Nanny's Mac 'n Cheese:

Boil water and cook 1 1/2 cups of macaroni as box directs. Put the cooked noodles in a baking dish. Shred by hand a block of cheddar cheese and stir this in the roni. Take a Stick of butter (yes the whole stick) and cut slices about the roni and cheese. Grind on some salt and pep.

Blend in blender: 6 eggs (yes you read that right), and a can of evaporated milk.

Pour this mixture over the dish. Bake at 350 for 45-60 min. When is it done-- "WHEN IT'S DONE! " as my Grandma Betty would say. It should be fluffy and ooooo so good.

There you have it! Now you can be an addict like I am.

Comfort Food

Growing up and through my college years I was a big fan of grilled cheese and tomato soup for lunch... and still am! Amy's Organic has an amazing tomato soup. Actually tastes like real tomatoes (not that I don't like good old Campbell's once in a while)... I LOVE it! And I make my grilled cheese with one piece kraft and a sprinkle of mozarella. What is your fav comfort meal?

Organic Baby Food

So with some encouragement from my sister Christina... I have dove into making Sophia organic baby foods. And it really is doable! Here is my process:


1. Peel your fruit or vegetable... I am starting with pears, bananas, and sweet potatoes. You only need 2 or 3 depending on size to make quite a bit.

2. Cut up the fruit or veggie into smaller pieces and put in your steamer:

3. Steam for 11 minutes or so
4. Put the steamed stuff in my Magic Bullet (or food processor- I just don't have one). Now before blending you can add a half ounce of breastmilk, formula milk, or a little flax oil Mckmama style.
5. Pour into ice cube trays.

6. Pop out the cubes and put into freezer bags for storage. Just thaw what you need to feed your baby!

It is fresh and organic and so good for baby. I had been buying the organic gerber, but the shelf life on that stuff can be ten months old! And quite expensive. Do you all do this too??

I can't believe it, but I also ordered an all in one diaper from Three Monkeys on ebay. They are similar to Bum Genious which everyone seems to say is the best one; but 1/2 the price. And lots of cute fabrics too. We will see how it works.

Stuffing to Impress!

I keep forgetting to post this recipe for Thanksgiving stuffing. It could quite possibly be the best ever recipe... sure thing everyone will enjoy!

Awesome Sausage, Apple and Cranberry Stuffing

1 1/2 cups cubed whole wheat bread
3 3/4 cups cubed white bread
1 package Bob Evans sausage W/ sage
1 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup chopped celery
Fresh rosemary
Fresh thyme
1 of "your favorite" apple, cored and chopped
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup minced fresh parsley
3/4 cup turkey stock
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350. Spread the white and whole wheat bread cubes in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Bake for 5 to 7 minutes in the preheated oven, or until evenly toasted. Transfer toasted bread cubes to a large bowl.

In a large skillet, cook the sausage and onions over medium heat, stirring and breaking up the lumps until evenly browned. Add the celery, sage, rosemary, and thyme; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes to blend flavors.

Pour sausage mixture over bread in bowl. Mix in chopped apples, dried cranberries, parsley. Drizzle with turkey stock and melted butter, and mix lightly. Spoon into turkey to loosely fill.

**MY NOTES: I used only whole wheat (two small loaves from Harris teeter cubes easier than a large one) and cubed it and left in my kitchen for a day or so so it naturally dried (no need to toast!). Be generous with the herbs and cranberries- yum yum. I baked mine (can't trust me with the turkey), so in the pan you have to add more chicken stock (I could not find turkey) so it doesn't dry out! Keep checking to make sure it doesn't dry out!

Yummy!

Been making this recipe and it is EASY, FAST... and is gobbled up by Luke way better than chicken! And thin pork chops are only like $3-4 at Walmart

Sage Porkchops w/ Fried Apples!

1 tsp. dried rubbed sage
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. freshly ground pepper
4 thin sliced boneless pork chops
1/2 tsp veg oil
cooking spray
1 tsp. butter
4 cups sliced peeled apples (about 4 medium)**
1 Tbs. brown sugar
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
Dash of salt
** cut apples lengthwise so they look like circles and cut the core out of middle!


Combine first 3 ingredients., and sprinkle over pork. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat. Add pork; cook 3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove the pork from pan. Cover and keep warm.

Melt butter in same pan over medium heat. Add apples and remaining ingredients, and cook 5 minutes or until tender, stirring frequently. Serves apples with pork. This is soooo yummy!

Why didn't I think of that?

People are so creative! If you still need to bring something fun to a party, try these!
That is sour cream for the spider webs...
Fun Fun
I may try the oreo spiders for Luke's Fall Party which is next friday!

Meal for a Hot Day...

Make this!
Black Bean and Corn, Bowtie Salad

Add the following in a big mixing bowl:
One can rinsed black beans
2 diced tomatoes (or use grape tomatoes)
1 avocado diced
3 green onions sliced
1/2 diced red pepper
1 cup frozen white kernel corn
1/2 box cooked bow-tie pasta (cold)
Cilantro as you like

Toss with dressing:
1/3 cup fresh squeezed lime juice (3 limes)
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
tsp salt
dash of cayenne pepper if you wish

Eat it up!

Baked Fish

This is a favorite of Wayne's from Hilton Head Island days... I am proud to say I make it pretty well!

Baked Fish Daufuskie

2 large grouper filets (or other white fish)
3 oz. sliced mushrooms
1/2 oz. bread crumbs

Sauce:
2 oz. Heavy Cream
2 oz. Coarse Grain Mustard
1/2 cup shr. cheddar cheese
1/8 tsp worcestershire sauce

Make sauce by heating cream in heavy skillet. Add ingredients of sauce. Whisk until smooth over medium heat. Brown grouper in pan on med-high, in a pat of unsalted butter one minute each side. Place in lightly greased corningware pan. Pour sauce over fish. Sprinkle with the bread crumbs. Then top with the mushrooms. (I leave them off and Wayne adds at the end) Bake at 350F until fish is done and crumbs are browned- about 12 min.

Enjoy!

(Dad do you think you would eat this?? I know mom would like it!)

Yummy Dinner...

Well I have been getting some great recipes from other peoples blogs... so here is my contribution:

Mexican Tortilla Soup with Roasted Chicken


2 TBS olive oil
1/2 yellow onion, sliced thin
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 tsp cumin
salt and pepper
4 cups chicken broth (organic, low-sodium is better for you!)
1/2 small roasted chicken, pull and shred the meat
one can Muir Glen Fire Roasted Diced Tomatoes (don't chince on another brand!)
1/2 lime
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
6 small corn tortilla, cut in half, then into 1/4 inch strips
1/2 ripe avocado, cubed
1/4 cup shredded low-fat Monterrey Jack cheese


In a large stockpot over medium-low, heat 1 TBS olive oil. Add the onions and saute until soft- about 10 min. Add the garlic, cumin, salt and pepper, and saute the mixture another minute.


Add the chicken broth, turn to high and bring to a simmer. Add shredded chicken, tomatoes, lime juice, and cilantro. Season w/ salt and freshly ground pep. Remove from heat and cover.

In a small skillet over medium, heat other 1 tbs olive oil. Add the tortilla strips and brown, flipping occassionally about 5 min. Sprinkle with salt.

To serve- top with cubed avocado, shredded chesse, and a handful of tortilla strips. The fire roasted tomatoes, lime and the toppings make this memorable.
Enjoy!