Grownup Mac and Cheese

I'll be one of the first to admit that sometimes everyone just needs some Mac and Cheese.  Face it, whether that goopy stuff that they served in school, Velveeta shells, lobster mac from that trendy place down the road or Kraft EasyMac ... Mac and Cheese is always good!

For my Mac and Cheese I go a little overboard with the cheeses, feel free to choose to do so or not.  For this dinner I didn't have a lot on hand so it was a mix of cheddar, mozzarella and gouda .. typically I love mixing it up with a blue or a brie.  Also, this recipe is surprisingly easy.

Grownup Mac and Cheese

3 tbsp flour

2 tbsp butter

3/4 cup milk

1 1/2 cup assorted melting cheeses (Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Mozzarella, Brie, Blue, Gouda, etc.)

4 cups cooked orecchiette

Frank's Redhot (or a similar hot sauce), optional

Start off by melting the butter into a sauce pot and then whisk in the flour to build your roux.  Once the flour and butter are well combined, slowly whisk in the milk until the mixture has thickened into a sauce.  Next add the cheese and continue to whisk until well melted and mixed.

Finally, add the orecchiette and stir well.  Yep, that simple.  You'll have to play with the mixture of cheeses a little bit as some will add more oil or water to the mixture and can throw it off.  If that happens you'll have to make a bit more of the roux and milk mixture in another pot and slowly add until the consistency is correct.  Try it and enjoy!

An article about Brussel Sprouts? Why not?

9 out of ten times when I ask someone what they think about Brussel Sprouts, tell me they're disgusting and don't want any. I think these people are confusing boiled Brussel Sprouts or those Green Giant ones that you boil in the bag with what I'm talking about!

What then am I talking about?  I'm talking about sea salt, pancetta and a nice hot oven ... that's right, forget boiling, we're roasting!

Roasted Brussel Sprouts
1 bag fresh Brussel Sprouts
2 thick cut slices of pancetta (about 1/3 inch each)
1/2 Tbsp corse sea salt
1 Tbsp olive oil

First think you want to do is preheat your oven to 425F (well, after buying the ingredients of course).  While the oven is pre-heating, roughly chop the pancetta and place in a mixing bowl (don't cut too fine as it will shrink in cooking, but you don't want massive chunks either).  Wash your sprouts and then trim the bases of each and remove any suspect leaves.  Slice the sprouts in half and then add to the bowl.  Add the oil and salt and then toss to mix well.  Cook the sprouts on a baking sheet in a single layer until well browned.  Time in the oven is dependent on size.  Start by cooking for 15 minutes then check every five minutes until browned. Serve and enjoy!