Why Blog?

I've decided to create this blog, because I often read Joey N Stefi's blog (definitely check it out for some really great recipes) and realized I also make a lot of food, people ask for my recipes all the time, so shabam! BLOG! (Special thanks to Stephi for giving me the fabulous idea)

I think I'll start with what Andrew (my boyfriend) and I cooked up last night for dinner. It Is a great recipe if you're planning to feed a lot of people, but it is also pretty spicy, so make sure your folks or guests like spice :)

I got this recipe from Rachael Ray.....but I made it a little simpler and took out a few things that either I didn't like or didn't have. For the original by Rachael Ray click here.


Mac and Cheese With Chicken And Broccoli



You'll Need:

• 2 pieces of raw uncooked chicken breast
  
• 1 pound of any kind of pasta (long spaghetti noodles not recommended)
  
• 1 bag of microwavable steamed broccoli cuts
  
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (Do not add this if you or you're guests are not fans of spice!)
  
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 3 cups whole milk (Or 2 cups of skim milk)
  
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 3 cups yellow sharp Cheddar

Cook It!:
Place a medium-large pot of water on stove. Add a pinch of salt and a tbsp of olive oil to water. Bring to a boil and add pasta.

Fill Another pot with water and bring to a boil. Add uncooked chicken, continue to boil until chicken is cooked through. Take boiled chicken, place it in a bowl and use two forks to shred it into small pieces. (this is also a good time to season the chicken if you'd like. I like to use onion powder, garlic salt, seasoning salt, and fresh ground black pepper. just add to taste)

While pasta continues to cook, heat a medium sauce pot over medium heat. Add butter and melt, then add flour, cayenne and paprika and whisk together over heat until roux bubbles then cook a minute more. Whisk in milk and stock and raise heat a little to bring sauce to a quick boil. Simmer sauce to thicken about 5 minutes.

While sauce thickens place your steamed broccoli bag in microwave and heat as directed on package.

Go back to sauce and stir in shredded cheese a little at a time until melted in.

drain pasta and place in a large serving dish (remember people this was a whole pound of pasta so it's going to make a lot of food.) add chicken, broccoli, and cheese sauce. Stir everything together so that everything is evenly distributed and coated with that yummy ooie gooie cheese sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste (this recipe definitely needs salt)

Finally...serve, this is also great with a nice clean bag salad and my dressed up raspberry lemonade (As Sarah on food network likes to call it "semi-homemade") ill try to post that later. Right now I got to go pick up my boo from school. Hope you enjoy :)