Spicy Macaroni and Cheese Soup

My family is obsessed with macaroni and cheese. Since my homemade macaroni and cheese takes awhile to make, I like to try quicker versions. When I saw this recipe, I figured this was something my family would like. My husband had to bowls then he put the leftovers away. He also informed everyone that he was claiming the rest for later. My daughter told me that it wasn't what she expected since I hadn't warned her that I made it a little spicy. If you don't want it spicy, then sharp cheddar cheese should be used. I like a little kick. I added more milk to make it more like a soup.

Spicy Macaroni and Cheese Soup
2 tsp olive oil
3 shallots, minced
2 carrots, chopped small
2 stalks of celery, chopped small
1/4 cup flour
4 cups chicken broth
2 cups elbow macaroni pasta
4 oz. pepper jack cheese
4 oz. sharp cheddar cheese
2 1/2 cups milk
salt and pepper, to taste

Directions: 

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the shallots, carrots, and celery. Cook for 5 minutes or until softened.
3. Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir.
4. Whisk in the chicken broth. Stir until no lumps of flour show.
5. Add the macaroni pasta and cook for 8 minutes or until al dente.
6. Stir in the pepper jack cheese and the cheddar cheese. Allow to melt for 30 seconds.
7. Stir in the milk. Remove from heat. 
8. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Recipe adapted from Food Network Kitchen.

Two years ago..........................I made Steak Fajita.
Three years ago........................I made Butternut Squash Risotto.

Did you already know..............
-In the 13th century, the Pope set pasta standards.
-Al dente means to the tooth since it should give a little resistance when bitten.
-Americans consume about 20 lbs. of pasta a year.

Caramelized Butternut Squash

From my farm share, I received so much squash that I've been trying new recipes. Yes, I will be making some kind of dish with squash for Thanksgiving this year. Also, I'm going to bake a lot of it up and freeze it so I can use it later. I normally bake squash and make it more savory. My grandmother use to boil it and then mash it like mash potatoes. When I saw this recipe on Food Network, I thought hey why not bake it sweet. Oh, this is a dessert. It is sweet and a little sticky. The kids liked it. My husband even tried a piece (I think it was more of a crumble) and he said he thought it was sweet, sweet.

Caramelized Butternut Squash
2 medium butternut squash
4 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Peel the squash, discard the seeds, and chop into 1/4 inch cubes.
3. Onto a baking sheet, place the squash and toss with the melted butter.
4. Sprinkle the brown sugar and salt. Toss to distribute.
5. Spread the squash into a single layer.
6. Roast the squash for 45 minutes until the squash is tender and caramelized. Toss the squash several times while roasting.

Recipe adapted from Barefoot Contessa.
One year ago.....................................I made crab cakes.
Two years ago...................................I made minestrone soup.
Three years ago.................................I made Parker House Rolls.

Did you already know.......................
-Squash belongs to the gourd family.
-Butternut squash originated from South America.
-For over 10,000 years, humans have been eating squash.

Honey Peanut Butter Cookies

We have the majority of the boxes unpacked. So, the first cookies I decided to make were peanut butter cookies. This batch makes about two dozen cookies All the cookie were gone by the next day. I think the majority of the cookies were eaten by my daughter. These cookies were very popular. It could have been because I haven't baked for awhile but I have a feeling it was the recipe. These cookies are delicious. I did dip my fork into flour before attempting to make some crisscross patterns. I think sometimes my patterns are just a couple of crazy lines but I'm just glad no one judges my pattern top.

Honey Peanut Butter Cookies
1 1/2  cups all purpose flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup smooth peanut butter
1 tsp honey

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and the baking soda. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, cream the butter, sugar, and brown sugar until fluffy.
5. Add the egg and mix until incorporated.
6. Add the vanilla, peanut butter, and honey. Mix until incorporated.
7. Slowly, add the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
8. Scoop a heaping tablespoon of batter onto the cookie sheet.
9. Lightly flatten and firmly press a fork into the dough to make a crisscross pattern.
10. Bake the cookies for 10 minutes. Rotate and continue baking for ten minutes or until lightly browned.
11. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to rest on the cookie sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Recipe adapted from Martha Stewart professional bake-ware recipe.

Two years ago................................I made Lasagna Soup.
Three years ago..............................I made Noah's Kickin Chicken Bake.

Did you already know.....................
-Crisscross is when a pattern is formed when lines cross over each other. 
-Scrabble was originally called crisscross words.
-It is unknown why peanut butter cookies have the crisscross patterns on the top but several theories are to help the cookies to cook evenly, to distinguish the cookies from others, for peanut allergies, or religious reasons.

Boxes

When I moved down here, I packed a few essential kitchen items so I could cook. I was able to cook before the household goods arrived. Now, we have boxes everywhere. I think packing is so much easier than unpacking. We have spices lining the counters which we haven't decided where to put them yet. The cabinets are half lined with contact paper. I have to purchase more since I ran out. It really is crazy here. I would have to guess that half of our boxes are for the kitchen. My goal is to have the majority of the kitchen organized by this weekend. Please be patient for my unorganized kitchen. I miss cooking.

Halloween

For Halloween, we decided to go with a Disney villain theme. I thought they played their roles pretty good. I was pretty frightened especially when I heard off with her head. Halloween is so much fun!

Beware! Here comes Ursala, Queen of Hearts, and Maleficent!

Whether you are a princess or a villain, I hope you have a wickedly fun Halloween.

Happy Halloween!