BLT Mac n Cheese, Chocolate Chip Raspberries and MORE Good Stuff!

Well hello there!

I stumbled on a recipe today that has me curious.

BLT Macaroni and Cheese!

I mean, talk about a double whammy of comfort food.....

Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich and Macaroni and Cheese.

Love 'em both!

I haven't made it yet but I think maybe one of these days soon I will:)

YUMMY!!!

BLT Macaroni-n-Cheese   

 Ingredients:

1 loaf (32 oz) prepared cheese product, cut into large cubes

1/4 cup butter

4 cups whole milk

* 1/8-1/4 tsp ground mustard (optional)

1 package (16 oz) elbow macaroni

2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (8 oz)

2 cups small cherry tomatoes

1 bag (9 oz) fresh spinach (or lettuce of choice)

1 lb bacon, crisply cooked, crumbled

1 cup plain or Italian-style panko crispy bread crumbs

* * Personally, I will saute chopped onions in a bit of butter to add to this dish.

Directions:

1.  In microwavable bowl, place cheese cubes, butter and milk. Microwave uncovered on High 8 to 10 minutes, stirring with whisk at the 4 minute interval.   Stir again after 8-10 minutes; repeat microwaving until all cheese is melted and mixture can be stirred smooth, 

a total of about 15 minutes.  Stir in ground mustard if desired.

 * If you prefer, melt cheese on the stove top.  

2.  Heat oven to 350°F. Cook macaroni in boiling salted water 3 minutes less than directed on box (macaroni should be firm). Drain; place in 15x10-inch (4-quart) glass baking dish. Pour melted cheese sauce over macaroni; mix well. Stir in shredded cheese, tomatoes and spinach.

3Cover dish with foil; bake 30 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle bacon and bread crumbs evenly over top. Bake 5 minutes longer or until top is lightly browned. Cool at least 10 minutes before serving.

source: adapted from a recipe found on Betty Crocker

don't stop here!

after this munchkin you'll find one of our favorite treats.......

Chocolate Chip Raspberries!

Pretty self-explanatory.......

We used white chocolate chips but have used dark and milk chocolate also.

All three are Goooood!

Just clean the strawberries, place a chip in each and pop 'em in!

(I've probably shared this on here but it's worth repeating:)

Hmmmmm....what else can I pass on.......

Got it!

If y'all are like me, you get MAJOR cravings!!!!!

What to do, what to do!

How about this?

Cure cravings and get water down.....works for me.

At least, I hope it does!!

I leave you with this little gem from the beloved Dr. Seuss.

(i think he's genius:)

XOXOXO

Suzanne

The Older I Get, The Less "Gray Areas" There are For Me.....

Gray Area- 

definition; a situation in which the rules are not clear, or in which you are 

not sure what is right or wrong.   Uncertainty and being uncertain; 

 uncertainty, doubt, reservation, question,reserve, distrust, a question mark

 over something, scepticism, doubt yourself...

The other day, my husband said to me "Don't sugarcoat it.  Clearly there is no gray area 

with you.  It's black or white. "

Made me think.

....
We weren't even having a profound discussion or anything.

I believe I shared.....strongly.....my opinion of a sports broadcaster who had the

NERVE to criticize my favorite football team!

(The nerve, I say!!!)

He's right about one thing......I am loyal to a fault so if someone or something I love gets 

criticized.....it's VERY clear to me!

But what about the rest of life and it's issues?
I realize that my gray areas......those murky waters of indecision are getting less and less.

Oh.....I still can't make up my mind to save my LIFE about what to order for dinner,

Or what color throw pillow to buy, or what color to paint the bathroom.

But when it comes to ISSUES......political, parenting, education, FAITH.......

I pretty much know what I think/believe and that's that.

Black or White.

I will listen to other ideas and if there is a need I will try to see things 

in a different way.

But I can't make promises.  Does that sound terrible?

I believe what I believe and I am passionate about it.

I personally think that our society has been dumbed down and we have lost our voice because 

we are all so worried about being politically correct.

Who said we need to agree all the time?  We don't.

We can be kind......and compassionate....but be who you are and say what you feel.

  Kind of like my favorite football team.  To me, they are perfect.

So don't mess with me.....or them.

Roll Tide:)

What about you?  Black and White?  Or are you more in the Gray area?

XOXO
Suzanne