The Most Decadent Mac & Cheese

The Most Decadent Mac & Cheese

This Delicious Recipe Is Not For The Faint Of Heart, This Is A Staple For Any Holiday Meal Or Even A BBQ!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cooking Time: 1 hour

Ingredients

1 box macaroni 

3 cups heavy cream

1 stick cold butter, small cubes + 1 tbsp melt butter

1 cup shredded Gouda cheese

1 cup shredded Gruyere or Emmental cheese

1 cup shredded Fontina

1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded white Cheddar cheese

1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheeses

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1 cup of Velveeta cheese, cubed

1 level Tbsp garlic powder

1 level Tbsp onion powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

2 egg yolks (optional)

 

Topping 

1 Tbsp melted butter

1 cup Honey Panko bread crumbs

Cooking Tools

8 Terra Cotta Baking Dish or Baking Dish

Mixing bowl

All Clad large pot

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.  Cook macaroni according to directions on box.  Drain pasta and quick rinse with cold water.  Drain and dry completely your pasta and let it come to room temperature. In a large mixing bowl, add in; pasta, the cubed butter, cream, egg yolks and seasonings & mix, add cups of cheese one by one, folding it in as you put in each shredded cheese and Velvetta.  Grease bake dish or dishes with a little melted butter and place the macaroni in the dishes. Melt some butter and add to bread crumbs and toss, sprinkle on top of the macaroni .  Bake in oven for about 40 minutes until hot and bubbly and has a golden crust.

Serves 8-10

Christmas Brunch!

 Christmas Brunch is a tradition in our household, Our family and guest arrive to our home anticipating what I have made before the morning festivities of opening the presents under the Christmas tree! I try to add something different every year but stick with some of the tried and true dishes that they expect every Christmas!

 

Waffles

Waffles

Build Your Own Waffle Station!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 2 minutes (cooked in batches)

Ingredients

4 cups Bisquick Baking Mix 

2 2/3 cups whole milk

2 Tbsp vegetable oil

2 Tbsp butter, melted

2 eggs

1 tsp Madagascar vanilla bean

 

Cooking Tools

Calphalon Waffle Maker

Mixing Bowl

Sheet tray

Directions

Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl, stir until ingredients are blended.  Cover and wait 15-30 minutes to allow the batter to rise and thicken. Turn waffle maker on and either use a cooking spray or a pat of butter in each waffle slot and add about a 1/2 cup of batter to each slot and close lid. Set to medium, The waffle iron will chime when it is cooked.  Cook waffle in batches and serve it however you like.

Yields 10-12

Christmas Bark

Christmas Bark

Might Not Be The Prettiest Chocolate Candy, But It Sure Is Addicting!

Difficulty:  Easy

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

4-6 Ghiradelli Chocolate bars

1 cup mini marshmallows 

1 cup roasted pecans

6 Chocolate covered pretzel rods with candy cane

2 cups mini pretzels 

1 cup broken Honey Graham Crackers 

12 mini candy canes

Cooking Tools

Sheet pan

Parchment paper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.  Line sheet pan with parchment paper including the sides.  Place chocolate bars side by side on sheet pan and place in the oven for about 15 minutes or until melted. Remove chocolate from oven and swirl with a spoon or a wooden skewer  to remove the lines and incorporate each bar to one another. Start adding all your other ingredients by layering into the chocolate. Make sure your ingredients touch the chocolate so as the chocolate cools and hardens the ingredients don't fall off.  Set aside to cool and firm up. Break apart into barks and serve!

Yields 1 sheet pan

The Local Favorite Dishes

The Local Favorite Dishes 

Seared Scallops

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

Broccoli Cheddar Soup

A Hearty Bowl Of Soup On A Cold Day!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients 

2 heads broccoli, florets

2  32 oz. carton  College Inn Chicken Broth

1/2 onion, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 cups whole milk or half & half

1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 cup white cheddar cheese

3 tbsp flour Arthur Mills flour

1 stick Kerrygold Butter

Minced parsley for garnish

salt

pepper

Serve Soup With A Crusty Baguette!

Cooking Tool

 Ninja Blender

All Clad 4 qt pot

Directions

In a stock pot on medium heat, add; chicken broth, onions, garlic & broccoli florets and cook until broccoli is tender.  Ladle cooked all liquid and ingredients into Ninja blender, Cook' Notes: Blend in batches, open the vent and make sure you have a napkin over the vent opening, just in case of hot liquid splashing.  Once all blended, pour back in pot on a simmer, then add milk, season to taste with salt and pepper. In a small pan, melt butter then whisk in flour to create a blond rue, cook for a minute or two. Add rue to the soup to thicken, cook on simmer until it starts to thicken the soup ( DO NOT BOIL) Remove from heat and add the cheese and whisk until incorporated. Garnish with minced parsley and shredded cheese.

Serves 4-6

Baked Cheesy Tater Tots

Baked Cheesy Tater Tots

Made With Our Homemade Tater Tots!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

Homemade Tater Tots about a dozen (cooked) http://womanandthewhisk.blogspot.com/2017/07/homemade-tater-tots.html

1 can Campbell Cream Of Mushroom Soup

1 cup whole milk or Half & Half

1 cup cheddar cheese + topping

minced parsley for garnish

1/2 tsp onion powder

salt

pepper

Cooking Tools

All Clad small pot

Ceramic baking dish

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.  In a small pot, whisk soup, milk, onion powder, salt & pepper then mix until bubbly on medium heat. take off heat a add 1 cup of cheddar cheese, whisk until blended.  Place already cooked Tater Tots in a baking dish and pour soup mix evenly over the Tater Tots and bake in oven for 30 minutes, the last 10 minutes, top with extra cheddar cheese until melted. Garnish with minced parsley

Serves 2

Pomegranate Balsamic Chicken Wings

Pomegranate Balsamic Chicken Wings

Sweet & Sour With A Bit Of Crunch!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

Dozen cooked plain chicken wings; store bought

1/2 cup green pepper, diced

1/2 cup red /yellow pepper, diced

1/2 cup onions, diced

2 Tbsp Avocado oil

1/2 stick melted butter

1 Tbsp Alessi White Balsamic Reduction

1 cup  Mae Ploy Chili Sauce

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 cup Pomegranate seeds 

salt to taste
pepper to taste

 

Cooking Tools

All Clad deep pan/wok 

Directions

On medium heat, add; Avocado oil until heated.  Add in Sweet chili sauce, diced onions & peppers and cook for 1 minute, stir to prevent burning.  season with the garlic & onion powder, then add the White Balsamic Reduction.  Salt & Pepper to taste, reduce glaze until slightly thickened and sticky. Pour in butter and mix before adding the cooked chicken wings. Toss the chicken wings in the sauce and add in the pomegranate seeds and cook for a additional few minutes until the glaze thickens and the chicken is evenly heated through.  Garnish with a few pomegranate seeds.

Serves 2

Southern Fried Chicken

Southern Fried Chicken

So Many Different Ways To Make Fried Chicken, This One Is Simple And Delicious!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 4+ hours 

Cooking Time: 1

Serve it Up With Your favorite Side-dishes!

Ingredients

1 whole fryer, cut up, skin on

4 cups buttermilk

1 tbsp. hot sauce

2 tsp salt + 2 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper + 1 tsp black pepper

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp onion powder + 1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder + 1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika

2 quarts vegetable oil or peanut oil

Cooking Tools

Container with lid

Dutch Oven

Colander

cooling racks

Sheet tray

 

Directions

In a plastic container, add; buttermilk, hot sauce, 2 tsp salt, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp paprika. Whisk ingredients and place chicken pieces into the buttermilk, fully coat, cover and refrigerate 4+ hours. Drain chicken from buttermilk in a colander. In a large mixing bowl, mix; flour, salt, black pepper, onion powder and garlic powder.  Coat each chicken piece in the flour mixture, coating evenly. set chicken on wire rack while the oil is heating to 350 Degrees F in a large deep frying pan. Add a few chicken pieces, do not over crowd!! Fry chicken in batches, 15-20 minutes or until cooked at 165 Degrees F. Keep in mind, darker meat needs more cooking time. Cook's Note: Wait a minute for the oil to heat back up between batches, before placing another batch of chicken in the fryer.  Remove chicken to a wire rack to drain off excess oil.

Yields 1 Fryer

Cranberry Sangria

Cranberry Sangria

This Festive Cocktail Is Perfect For Your Next Holiday Party!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Cooling Time: 3+ hours

Ingredients 

1 bottle white wine https://santamargheritawines.com/wine/pinot-grigio/

1 cup Peachtree Schnapps https://www.dekuyperusa.com/flavor/dekuyper-peachtree-schnapps-liqueur/

1 cup Apricot Brandy http://www.hiramwalker.com/index.php

1 cup oranage juice

3 Mandarine oranges, sliced

10 star Anise 

1/2 cup fresh cranberries  (garnish) +1 cup Cranberry Jam (recipe below) or prepared cranberry sauce

 

Cooking Tools

All Clad sauce pan

Pitcher

Directions

In a pitcher, mix the wine, Peachtree Schnapps, Apricot Brandy, orange juice, orange slices, cranberries  and the star anise. Adjust liqueur to suit your own taste. Place in refrigerator for several hours. To serve: Place Cranberry jam on bottom of glass, add ice then pour refrigerated Sangria over ice, make sure you add the cranberries , orange slices and star anise to your drink for a dramatic effect!

Serves 4-6

Cranberry Jam

Ingredients

1 bag Ocean Spray cranberries https://www.oceanspray.com/Products/Fresh-Fruit/Fresh-Cranberries

1 cup orange juice

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup apricot jam

1 cinnamon stick

5 star anise

Directions

Place all ingredients in a pot on medium-low heat, until cranberries start popping open, still occasionally. Set aside to allow to get to room temperature .  Place in container and refrigerate until chilled and thickens.

Yummy Cocktails For That Special Occasion!!

The Notes Of Spices From The Star Anise 

Gluten Free Chocolate Brownies

Gluten Free Chocolate Brownies

Honestly, You Couldn't Tell The Difference!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 25-30 minutes

Ingredients 

1 cup King Arthur Gluten-Free Flour

2/3 cup Dutch sweet cocoa

1 3/4 cup sugar

1/2 tsp baking powder

3/4 tsp salt

1 cup chopped pecans

1 cup of chocolate chips

3 large eggs

1/2 cup melted plant based butter or butter

1/4 cup cooled coffee

 Cooking Tools

Mixing bowl

Brownie pan

Directions 

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.  Whisk all ingredients in a mixing bowl, pour into a well greased baking dish and bake for 25 minutes. Cool, cut and serve.

Serves 12

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Not a simple Hot Chocolate, The Cinnamon Is A Nice Hint Of Warmth! Topped With A Cinnamon Whipped Cream!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

Nestle Abuelita Hot Chocolate Tablets

4-5 cups whole milk

2 cups heavy whipping cream

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 tsp cinnamon

4 chocolate & marshmallow stir sticks

Directions

Pour milk in small pot on low heat, place 1 whole tablet into hot milk, stir until melted. Adjust sweetness level by adding 1/4 of the tablet at a time..  While chocolate milk is simmering, Whip heavy cream, sugar and cinnamon until peaks are formed. Pour Hot chocolate into mugs, top with a dollop of whip cream and serve with a chocolate marshmallow stir stick. Enjoy!!

Serves 4

Local Favorites

Local Favorites

Shrimp Bisque!

http://womanandthewhisk.blogspot.com/2015/10/shrimp-bisque.html
 

E.A.T. Sandwich

E.A.T. Sandwich

This Egg, Avocado & Tomato Sandwich on a Bed of Ricotta 

Cheese Is The Ideal Quick And Easy Meal.

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 1-2 minutes

Ingredients

4 slices of Focaccia Bread

1 avocado, slices

1 tomato, sliced

1 cup Ricotta cheese

2 eggs

avocado oil

salt

pepper

Cooking Tools

All Clad Non-stick Pan

Directions

Toast Focaccia Bread. Drizzle avocado oil in a non-stick pan, fry eggs sunny side up. Spread ricotta cheese on bottom half of bread. Place tomatoes, then avocado slices and top with egg. Salt and pepper to taste

Serves 2

Spaghetti & Meatballs

Spaghetti & Meatballs

A Classic Italian Dish That Everyone Has Their Own Personal Recipe!  

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 30-40 minutes

Cooking Time: 1 hour +

Ingredients

6-8 cups Marinara sauce

1 cup Merlot Wine

1 1/2 lbs. ground round beef

1/2 lb. ground Italian sausage (bulk)

3/4 panko bread crumbs

1 tbsp olive oil

1 medium onion, finely minced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp dried oregano

salt

pepper

1 large egg, lightly beaten

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese

1 pound dried thin spaghetti (cooked according to directions)

Grated Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Cooking Tools

Stainless mixing bowl

Large cast iron pan

All Clad stock pot

All Clad medium pot 

Directions
Preheat oven to 425 Degrees F.  In a large pot on low heat, add marinara and Merlot and simmer for at least one hour to reduce sauce.  While the sauce is simmering, In a large mixing bowl; add the ground beef,  sausage, bread crumbs, olive oil, onions, garlic, basil, oregano, salt, pepper, egg, Parmesan cheese.  Mix thoroughly and shape into meatballs.  Place meatballs in a preheated cast iron pan and brown on all sides, not cooked through. Pour hot marinara sauce into the cast iron pan with the browned meatballs, cook on simmer for 1 hour.  In a serving bowl, add the cooked pasta and pour the marinara sauce and meatballs over the cooked spaghetti, shave fresh Parmesan cheese on top.
Serves 6 

 

Dutch Apple Pie

Dutch Apple Pie 

Just A little Bit Of Work Creates This Beautiful Show Piece For Your Holiday Table!

Difficulty: Moderate

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cooking Time: 1 hour + 30 minutes

Ingredients

Apple Pie Filling

5 Granny Smith Apples, peeled & sliced

3 Honeycrisp Apples, peeled & sliced

1 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

1 tbsp vanilla extract

2 tsp. pumpkin or apple pie spice

1/2 tsp salt

2 tbsp of cornstarch

1/2 stick cold butter, cubed

 

Cooking Tools

Le Crueset pie dish

Kitchen Aid Food Processor

1 Stainless mixing bowls

1 medium mixing bowl

Rolling pin

Parchment paper

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.  Prepare pie dough, roll out to fit pie dish, Prepare crumble topping. Place all the filling ingredients in a mixing bowl and toss well until every piece of apple is coated.

Cook's Notes: I give my sliced apple a vinegar or (lemon) & water bath to prevent apple from browning. Drain from water and dry completely before adding in ingredients.  Place apple in the prepared pie dish and top with crumble, bake in the oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes. Remove apple pie from oven and let completely cool 5-6 hours so it has time to set up.

Serves 8

Butter Pie Crust

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups flour + dusting

1 tsp salt

1 tbsp sugar

2 cold stick butter, cubed

8 tbsp ice water

Directions
Place dry ingredients in a food processor, add cubed butter.  Pulse flour and butter, drizzle in water until ingredients combine.  Remove and place on floured surface, combine to form a disc.  Wrap in plastic wrap and place in refrigerator for 30 minutes to chill. Place dough on a lightly floured parchment paper and roll out your dough to fit the pie dish, trim off excess dough and pinch the edges.

Crumble Topping

Ingredients

2 1/2 cup flour

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 stick cold butter, cubed

Directions
Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse to create crumbles.

 

 

Tropical Bread Pudding

Tropical Bread Pudding

With A Lemon Glaze!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cooking Time: 50-60 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 loaf crusty bread/ 4-5 cups, cubed

5 eggs

1 1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

1 cup Macadamia nuts

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

1 tsp grated fresh ginger

1/4 tsp pumpkin spice

5 Medjool dates, pitted & chopped

1 1/4 stick of butter (melted) + greasing

Cooking Tools

Large mixing bowl

Small mixing bowl

zester

Loaf pan

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 Degrees F.  Mix eggs, sugar, milk, coconut, nuts, dates, spice, dates and melted butter.  Place bread cubes into the liquid and coat, let bread soak for 30 minutes before placing in a well buttered loaf pan. Bake in oven for 50-60 minutes. Drizzle Lemon  Glaze (recipe below) about 15 minutes after pulling it out of the oven to cool slightly. Serve warm, but also can be served chilled.

Serves 6

Lemon Glaze

Ingredients

1 cup confectioners sugar

juice of 1 lemon

zest of 1 lemon

Directions

Mix ingredients in a small mixing bowl until smooth.

Crispy Parmesan Potatoes

Crispy Parmesan Potatoes

This Is A Crowd Pleaser, Make Extra!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 30 minutes

Cooking Time: 30-40 minutes

Crispy Parmesan Potatoes

Ingredients

4 Russet Potatoes

Parmesan cheese

garlic powder

onion powder

olive oil

butter

salt

pepper

Cooking Tools

Sheet pan

Parchment paper 

Marble & Wood Board 

Directions

Cook's Notes: I did not put measurements down, use your discretion.

Preheat oven to 375 Degrees F. Line sheet pan with parchment paper.

Peel potatoes and cut length wise 1/4" to 3/8" thick. With a paring knife, score cross hatch pattern on one side of potatoes without cutting through the potatoes. Season potatoes with garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper on both sides. For each slice of potato, drizzle enough olive oil to cover the bottom of potato. sprinkle enough Parmesan that would cover the length and width of slices potato. Lay score side of potato down onto the olive oil and cheese, a top with a slice of butter. Do this separately with every slice of potato. Bake in oven for 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool just for a few minutes, then flip over each potato, serve warm as a side dish. Garnish with minced parsley (optional).

Prosciutto & Roasted Red Pepper Baguette

Prosciutto & Roasted Red Pepper Baguette

A Beautiful Crusty Bread, Salty Prosciutto & Just A Hint Of Sweetness From The Fig Jam!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: No cooking required

Ingredients

1 Whole wheat Baguette

8 slices of Prosciutto

1 cup whole milk Ricotta cheese

1 jar fire roasted peppers, drained

1/2 cup fig jam

salt

pepper

Cooking Tools

Serving plate

Decorative tooth picks 

Directions

First drain roasted red pepper on paper towels to dry. Cut loaf elongated in half, spread ricotta cheese on bottom half, spread fig jam on top half.  Place roasted red peppers on top of cheese then lay Prosciutto on top of peppers, salt and pepper. Place the top half on top and slice on a angle and secure with tooth picks.

serves 2

 

Thai Coconut Curry Noodles

Thai Coconut Curry Noodles

 A Very Satisfying One Dish Meal!

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

4 servings KA Me cooked Thai Noodles

1 small pork tenderloin, cubed

1 can coconut cream

2 bricks  Japanese Golden Curry

1 tbsp Thai curry paste

1/2 cup green onions, chopped

2 garlic loves, minced

1 tbsp vegetable oil

1/2 tsp sesame oil

1/2 cup chicken stock

salt

pepper

Cooking Tools

Wok 

Directions

Coat cubed pork tenderloin in the Thai curry paste and set aside for 15 minutes. Place vegetable oil in pan on medium high heat and pan fry the marinated pork tenderloin cubes until 3/4 done. Pour coconut cream, curry brick, 1/2 of the chopped green onions, garlic, chicken stock and sesame oil in with pork.  Cook until slightly thicken.  Add in the cooked Thai Noodles and allow to separate on their own, do not break apart the noodles. Cook for addition al 5 minutes on medium low heat, adjust seasoning with salt & pepper.  Garnish with the rest of the chopped scallions before serving.

Serves 4