My autumn Sundays are planned around football. I do chores and cooking early.
Yesterday I made mac & cheese. This super-easy recipe is adapted from one I found in the New York Times. You don't have to pre-cook the noodles.
1. In large bowl mix together 1 cup cottage cheese, 2 cups milk, salt, pepper and cayenne to taste.
2. Add 2 cups or so of grated cheese. I like to use sharp cheddar, and I throw in whatever's around--goat cheese, parmesan, blue...I then add sauteed mushrooms and baby peas if I have them, but that's optional.
3. Add 1/2 lb. uncooked elbow noodles. Mix everything together.
4. Pour into buttered 9" pan. Cover with foil. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes. Remove foil, stir gently, bake uncovered for another 30 minutes.
I also made banana bread. It has a bitter taste though. Did I add too much baking powder? Does baking powder go bad? It's pretty good with peanut butter on it.
I'm fall cleaning and that includes a 3-day sale in
my Etsy store. 50% off everything for 3 days. Enter coupon code FALL50 at checkout. Contact me for international shipping rates. I don't like to use this blog to
sell, but thought in this case it was worth mentioning. Hope you don't mind.
Jen
Oooh, Macaroni Cheese is one of my faves but haven't had it for ages. Going to make some this week now. I like to add some crisp smokey bacon to it too. M x
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh...bacon would be dreamy. My family will love you for that suggestion.
ReplyDeleteHi Jen, your blog post has a very autumnal feel about it. Macaroni cheese is definitely a comfort food, the addition of bacon sounds a great idea. We love pasta here and have just had a big bowl with bolognaise sauce for our tea!
ReplyDeleteI am all about comfort food. I'm sure your bolognaise was delicious!
DeleteYour recipes sound good Jen. I recently tasted banana bread for the first time. I think it must be something typical American. I liked it very much!
ReplyDeleteHappy new week!
Madelief x
How interesting--I never thought about it being regional (national?) It always makes me think of my grandmother--hers was the best.
DeleteYes baking powder has an expiration date on the bottom of the can.
ReplyDeleteOf course I just checked mine and see that the powder I used in my baked oatmeal was best by June 2009.
When's that?
xo jane
?
Mine is April 2010. I never think to check things like that. Time to go shopping.
DeleteI love your simple but popping porch display. Perfectly, simply done but such impact!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Having an orange watering can is a happy coincidence.
Deletenow I'm hungry. mac and cheese. yum... happy monday xxx
ReplyDeleteWish I could send you some, wherever you are...
DeleteI am going to take a look at your shop. Delicious dishes!
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by!
DeleteHello Jen
ReplyDeleteThe aroma from your kitchen must have been heavenly. Your recipe for Mac and Cheese is timely. I have not made it before and we have company coming in the next ten days with their two children. I will make your recipe for the little ones.
Helen xx
I love it because it's fast, easy, and delicious. And it's very forgiving. Perfect for little ones.
Deleteoh, i'm soooo going to try your mac and cheese.
ReplyDeleteand using your blog to let people know about the wonderful items you have in your shop is a gift to your readers!!!
xo
All ingredients in one bowl + no cooking the pasta ahead of time = easy family time for the hard-working parent. :)
DeleteHi Jen, Here are my mother's rules for baking powder.
ReplyDelete--Be rather scant when measuring it--use slightly less than called for.
--Don't dump it in; use a fine strainer to sift it over the other ingredients. Discard any that doesn't easily fall through the strainer. You don't want any bitter concentrations of baking powder in the batter.
Enjoy your relaxed Sundays.
--Road to Parnassus
That's good to know--I am haphazard in the kitchen. Was puzzled because I have made this banana bread a zillion times...so disappointing.
DeleteI admired your cat collage when you first showed it on your blog. Note my request that you sign it, so I can say years from now, "Oh yes, I knew her before she was famous, you know. She created this artful grouping . . . just for me."
ReplyDeleteI read your recipe to Jay and he said, "Where's the bacon?" So, I guess that's pretty common - bacon in macaroni. Maybe he'll make it for me.
You are my new best friend. First collage I've sold. Thank you!
DeleteBacon in the mac and cheese makes perfect sense and would be delicious. I've seen it with sausage in restaurants, but I prefer bacon. I mostly cook meatless recipes, so it never occurred to me. Tell him I said he should make it for you.
Hello,
ReplyDeleteI was reading Anette and laura's blog "chasing lightning bugs"..and came over to your blog.
I am following you..
My name is Val, pleased to meet you.
greetings from Portugal
love the recipe... very interesting, as this weekend. My daughter in law and myself..were deciding what other meal we could do for the kids over christmas.. and the mac cheese was a definate.
I have one grandaughter a vegiterian..and the others like it too.
wishing you a good day.
val
Hi Val--Thank you so much for visiting from Portugal via dear Annette! Mac and cheese is perfect for children. Perfect for everyone, really. Jen
DeleteYour cook sounds nice! I have checked your on line store sometimes for finding out some vintage good which is not difficult for transportation for Japan.
ReplyDeleteI wish international shipping wasn't so costly.
DeleteSounds like a lovely Sunday. I like your orange colors. Baking powder does expire so maybe they should sell it in smaller quantities, who uses all that when you need 1/4 tspn? I'm afraid to look at mine. Popping over to Etsy!
ReplyDeleteBought new baking powder today. I wonder if passing the exp. date makes it more bitter. Maybe I just put too much in. We'll never know.
Delete