easy homemade mac & cheese...

so believe it or not, i had never made homemade mac & cheese before yesterday. i don't know why. but it was so easy & super yummy. i took it as my "dish i had never made before" for recipe club last night & i'm glad i did. i think it would be so yummy with bbq chicken or i might even make it this weekend as a side dish for my sons cowboy party... which don't worry, we're having pigs in a blanket:) give me a break- they're 5. hope that you took me up on my try new recipe challenge & that you HAVE found some new favorites! happy cooking- Brit

{easy cheesy homemade mac & cheese}

1 lb. elbow noodles
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
3 1/4 cups half and half
1 tsp salt
4 1/2 Cups Colby Jack, divided

1/2 tsp tabasco

1/4 tsp white pepper

Cook pasta according to package directions. making sure to

salt the water.

In large saucepan, melt butter. Stir in flour making a roux. Gradually stir in half and half whisking until thickened. Stir in salt, tabasco & pepper. Remove from heat. Add 3 cups of cheese, stir until cheese melts. Add drained & rinsed pasta to cheese sauce. Stir until well combined. Stir in 3/4 cup more cheese & stir, cheese should be stringy. Spoon into a baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until cheese on top is melted & bubbly.

by popular demand...

sorry no picture of this one yet, i'm making it today, so i'll add it later. i have make this for work a few times & everyone always asks for the recipe. so here it is. it is a little different than normal chex mix. you can add whatever mix-ins you would like. this last time i got coconut covered cashews from costco & did those with white chocolate chips. it was super sweet, but really yummy.

sticky sweet chex mix

2 sticks margarine, not butter!

2 cups brown sugar

3/4 cup light corn syrup

1 tsp vanilla

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1 large box chex cereal, i use corn, rice or a mix of both

mix-ins of your choice...

nuts, candy, dried fruit, chocolate chips, coconut, ect.

in a large pot melt margarine, sugar, corn syrup, vanilla & salt. bring to a full boil. turn off heat & add baking soda. the mixture will begin to foam... a lot! this is good! stir until mixture is really foamy, about a 30-60 seconds.

place cereal & mix-ins in a large bowl & stir to combine. **if you are using chocolate, just mix the cereal & the syrup together & stir until cooled down a bit. don't add until mixture has cooled slightly, or all your chocolate will melt!

pour onto a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper or parchment. let cool. break apart & put into a bowl.

eat yourself sick:)

katie's ham & swiss sliders...

i love these little sandwiches so much i can't even explain it in words!  they are delicious & oh so easy.  they are perfect as a little make ahead if you have a busy morning... now that summer is here!  or if you just want a pretty quick & easy dinner.  with a yummy pasta & potato salad, they would be great!  thanks kate for sharing:)

{katie's ham & swiss sliders}

24 good white rolls, if you are in utah we like shirley's or judy's

24 pieces good honey ham

24 small slices swiss cheese

1/3 mayo

1/3 cup miracle whip

{poppy seed sauce}

1 1/2 TBSP poppy seeds

1 1/2 TBSP yellow mustard

1 stick butter, melted

1 TBSP minced onion

1/2 tsp. worschestershire sauce

in a small bowl, mix together mayo & miracle whip.  spread into both sides of the center of each roll.  place a slice of ham & a slice of swiss inside of each roll.  close rolls & place into a large baking dish or heavy cookie sheet.  place very close together.

in a medium bowl, whisk together all of the poppy seed sauce ingredients.  pour evenly over all of the sandwiches.  let sit 10 minutes, or until butter sets slightly.  cover with foil & bake at 350 for 12-15 minutes or until cheese is melted.  uncover & cook for 2 additional minutes.  serve warm.

** sandwiches can me assembled a day ahead & kept in the fridge ready to bake.

Butter Yakki

a couple of months ago for recipe club, Kristin did this & it was such a fun thing.  we have done it a couple of time since with my family & it is so yummy & a total blast.  it would be so fun & easy to make assignments for you guest & have a fun little buttayakki party for New Years.  Make sure you say it right... Buttayakki!

• Butter!
• Thinly sliced chicken, pork, beef
• Shrimp
• Shredded cabbage
• Bean sprouts
• Mushrooms (sliced)
• Onions (sliced)
• Other veggis: zucchini, yellow squash, green peppers, etc.

Each person gets a small bowl.  You place the items that you want into your bowl, then cook as you please on small hibachi grills (you can also just use pancake griddles).  Just melt the butter on the griddle & pile on & cook the items each person chooses.  Basically just keep cooking, eating, and talking - Fun!

Sauce: (This is what makes Butter Yakki so delicious!) 

• 3/4 cup soy sauce
• 3/4 cup water
• 3 tsp sesame oil
• 3 tsp crushed sesame seeds
• 3 garlic cloves (crushed)
• 3 slices ginger (smashed)
• 4 drops Tabasco

Bring ingredients to a boil and then place in small bowls around the grill.  Dip vegetable and meat in sauce and enjoy with sticky rice!