week of May 14, 2017

Sun - Mother's Day Brunch Out
Mon - Mac 'n Cheese
Tue - Chicken Fajitas
Wed - Chicken Pizza
Thur - Cheese Burgers
Fri - Kikkoman Simple Ramen

3 Cheese Mac n' Cheese

2 1/2 cups dry elbow macaroni

3 tbsp butter

3 tbsp flour

3 cups milk

3 cups cheddar

4 oz cream cheese

1/4 tsp fresh grated nutmeg

Salt and Pepper to taste

Fresh black pepper

Topping (optional): 3 tbsp butter,1 cup bread crumbs. if you desire a crispy topping. Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F

Boil the pasta to al dente, according to package. The water, like all pasta water, should be salted before hand until it tastes like salt water.

Mac n Cheese

While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter on a med-high heat. Whisk in the flour, turn down the heat to low, and keep it moving for about 2-5 minutes, until it smells nutty. Make sure it's free of lumps. Turn the heat back up to high and stir in the milk, simmer, stirring constantly, until it starts to bubble. Turn down heat to medium. Stir in cream cheese, until incorporated  Stir in 1/3 of the cheese at a time, waiting for each patch to melt. Season with salt and pepper and nutmeg. Fold the macaroni into the mix. Taste, add more salt and pepper if needed. May serve now

OR  if desired, bake to get a crispy crust: pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. top with extra cheese and/or topping. Bake for 10-30 minutes, until hot and bubbly. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving. (baked option showed above).

Chicken Fajitas

3 lbs skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into thin strips

3 tablespoons lime juice

Zest of 1 lime

1 garlic clove, minced

1 teaspoon ground cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 red bell pepper, sliced

1 green bell pepper, sliced

1 medium onion, sliced

2 garlic cloves, pressed

Salt and pepper

6-8 Fajita size Flour tortillas

Toppings if desired: sour cream, guacamole, cheese, Pico De Gallo, extra lime juice

Sprinkle meat with cumin, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp veggie oil over medium-high heat. Cook meat, peppers, onion, and garlic until chicken is cooked through. Add lime juice and zest. Serve with warmed tortillas and toppings.

Kikkoman Simple Ramen

Ramen is all about the broth - make your own!

1 chicken carcass

1 onion, quartered

1 carrot

1 celery stock

1 pint mushrooms

1 tbsp pepper corns

1-2 whole cloves

8 cups water

Bring ingredients to boil in a large stock pot. Once boiling, lower to simmer. Simmer 3 hours, skim off foam and stir every 15 minutes. Drain, reverse liquid (stock) and discard the solids.