Sunday, April 3, 2011

Crab Mac & Cheese

When I saw Lauren's Lobster Mac & Cheese, my mouth was watering.  Although I'm not a fan of lobster (I know, I'm crazy...  but I'm ok with that), my mind immediately created a crab version spiced up with Old Bay.


Now, while I love a good mac & cheese, it's not something I indulge in very often.  This recipe isn't completely without guilt, it's definitely one that won't break the proverbial calorie bank.  Which is a good thing, as it's definitely worth throwing into the rotation for special occasions :)



Crab Mac & Cheese
adapted from Healthy Food for Living
Serves 2-3  (or 6 at a potluck!)

If you really love Old Bay, feel free to use even more than I did.  You could taste it in dish, but I think there was some room for a bit more!  Or perhaps mine isn't quite that fresh?  Add to taste!

4oz dried pasta (rotini, elbows, or whatever you have on hand, I used Barilla Plus rotini)
6oz crab meat (lump, claw... whichever you like)

For the cheese sauce:
1c milk (I used unsweetened almond milk)
1T butter
2T flour
2oz cave-aged gruyere, finely grated
2-3oz grass-fed cheddar, finely grated
1/2t kosher salt
1t Old Bay Seasoning  (or more, see note above)

For the topping:
1/2T butter
3T whole wheat panko bread crumbs
1T Fiber One crumbs (or more panko)
1/2t Old Bay seasoning

I followed Lauren's directions for the mac and cheese, so check out the original recipe!



Do you have a favorite mac & cheese recipe?

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Handmade Mezzalune with Aged, Cured and Corned Meats

March 24, 2010
These mezzalune (that I made) were stuffed with chopped prosciutto, corned beef, salami, cashews and olive oil, then cooked (by me) and dressed with a fresh sauce (that I made) of tomatoes, garlic, butter and smoked paprika. Then I put them on a plate and put a little garnish and parmigiano on there. Cashews for pete's sake. After the hard peas incident I felt a little pressure to deliver.

Sweet Sausage Hash

March 19, 2010
Just a little hash made with Yukon Gold new potatoes, scallions, herbs and sweet Italian sausage, served with a white wine pan sauce and some garlic toast. Enjoy.

Braised Sweet Sausage with Cavatappi and Peas



March 17, 2010
Tonight we have a braised sweet Italian sausage, served with cavatappi and peas, made with some mint, trappist cheese and white wine. I forgot the nuts, but I was going to put some toasted nuts on there. Sorry about the nuts. Also, the peas were hard because I don't know how long to boil peas. Apparently it's longer than you need to boil pasta, because that's how long I boiled them. So sorry about the nuts and the hard peas.

Simple Polenta with Ham, Shiitake Mushrooms, Tomatoes and Kale

March 8, 2010
Here we have simple polenta with a condiment of kale, shiitake mushrooms and tomatoes, topped with a little smoked ham, shaved parmigiano and toasted almonds. Enjoy.

Seared Flatiron Steak with Bulgur and Mixed Greens

March 8, 2010
Tonight we have a flatiron steak seared with a rosemary/salt/pepper rub, served with some bulgur and mixed greens (collards, mustard, mint and scallion topped with some sliced almonds) and dressed with a little red wine sauce. Enjoy.

Penne Rigate with Apples and Bacon


February 21, 2010
Here we have penne rigate with apples, bacon, onions and gorgonzola. On top is a little shaved parmigiano and some crunchy sea salt, mint and parsley. Enjoy.