Baked Macaroni and Cheese

There is no better comfort food in the world than macaroni and cheese.  This recipe for baked macaroni and cheese is fantastic on it's own, or can also be an excellent base for any cheese pasta casserole.  Add in sauteed mushrooms or spinach or anything else your heart desires to make a really hearty meal.

Add-ins that I always put in, no matter what:  All sorts of cheeses (who wants to live in a world with only cheddar?); brewers yeast for some extra vitamins and a special cheesy, nutty kick. 

I'll admit I haven't tried the fried macaroni and cheese, as recommended in the recipes, but I'm not sure why not...

Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients

1/2 pound elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon powdered mustard
3 cups milk
1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 large egg
12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh black pepper

Topping:
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup panko bread crumbs

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente.

While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf.

Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.

Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.

Remember to save leftovers for fried Macaroni and Cheese.

Original link:

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/baked-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe.html

Fajita Seasoning

Fajitas are a great meal for any time - and it's always easy to make a big enough batch for a small dinner party.  You can buy packets of fajita seasoning at the store (perhaps not the most authentic method, but still very delicious) or you can use the recipe below to recreate the seasoning.

There are lots of ways to make fajitas.  I sometimes use leftover steak (leftover steak?  Who ever has leftover steak?), mixed with sauteed onions and bell peppers.  Simmer in the fajita seasoning with a little water - just enough to get everything flavorful and heated, but not enough to overcook the steak - then serve on small tortillas with sour cream.  Flour tortillas are great, or you can use corn tortillas that have been slightly fried in oil.

Fajita Seasoning

Ingredients

1 tablespoon cornstarch
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon white sugar
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Directions

Stir cornstarch, chili powder, salt, paprika, sugar, onion powder, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and cumin together in a small bowl.

Original link:

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/fajita-seasoning/

Oven-Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic, Olive Oil and Lemon Juice

I can't believe I didn't like cauliflower as a kid.  Apparently I just never had it served the right way.

I've also tried a similar recipe to the one below that used balsamic and marjoram instead of garlic and lemon juice.  Also very delicious.

Oven-Roasted Cauliflower with Garlic, Olive Oil and Lemon Juice

Ingredients

5 to 6 cups cauliflower florets, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter (from 1 medium cauliflower)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon sliced garlic
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
Chopped chives, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.

Place the cauliflower florets in a large saute pan or a roasting pan. Drizzle the olive oil over the cauliflower, and season with the garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Place the saute/roasting pan in the oven and cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to ensure even roasting. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the Parmesan. Garnish with chopped chives and serve immediately while still warm.



Original link:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/oven-roasted-cauliflower-with-garlic-olive-oil-and-lemon-juice-recipe.html

Tandoori Tofu

You too can grill tofu!  It's very easy and very delicious with a recipe like this one.

The recipe doesn't say to press the tofu before grilling, but I always prefer to press my tofu first.  Pressing tofu is easy.  To press it, wrap it in a clean dish towel (preferably a flour-sack style towel that won't fuzz), and set a heavy pot on it while you prepare the rest of the ingredients.

Also make sure to oil the grill before cooking.  First heat the grill, then use tongs to wipe the grill with paper towels dipped in canola oil.

Tandoori Tofu

INGREDIENTS

2 teaspoons paprika
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon lime juice
2 14-ounce packages extra-firm or firm water-packed tofu, drained
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup nonfat plain yogurt
6 tablespoons sliced scallions or chopped fresh cilantro for garnish

PREPARATION

Preheat grill to medium-high.

Combine paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, cumin, coriander and turmeric in a small bowl. Heat oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, lime juice and the spice mixture; cook, stirring, until sizzling and fragrant, about 1 minute. Remove from the heat.

Slice each tofu block crosswise into 6 slices; pat dry. Use about 3 tablespoons of the spiced oil to brush both sides of the tofu slices; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt. (Reserve the remaining spiced oil.)

Oil the grill rack (see Tip). Grill the tofu until it has grill marks and is heated through, 2 to 3 minutes per side.

Combine yogurt with the reserved spiced oil in a small bowl. Serve the grilled tofu with the yogurt sauce, garnished with scallions (or cilantro), if desired.

TIPS & NOTES

Kitchen Tip: To oil a grill rack, oil a folded paper towel, hold it with tongs and rub it over the rack. (Do not use cooking spray on a hot grill.)

Original link:

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/tandoori_tofu.html