Recipe: Noodle Mess

My husband loves ‘noodle mess’. His mother made this for him a lot when he was a kid. He thought the recipe was something complicated and I’m so ‘whatever! It can’t be that difficult. It’s noodles’. So I asked her what ‘noodle mess’ was one day and she just laughed and said ‘Whatever I have in the pantry, plus ground beef, tomatoes, and noodles’. (seriously) And, since I’m all about the easy-to-make, quick, down and dirty cooking method – on top of which the hubster loves this stuff – I’m all over it. I make this at least twice a month. Throw a little salad and buttery, toasted bread on the side and viola – dinner!

Mem’s Noodle Mess

1 cup uncooked elbow macaroni or whatever pasta you prefer (I’ve made it with all kinds)
1 pound ground beef, or turkey, or sausage – your choice
1 can of diced tomatoes (season or not – your choice)
1 small can of tomato sauce
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic – chopped

Now – I’ve been known to add corn, red beans, diced green paper, mushrooms – whatever. If you have it in your pantry or frig and it sounds good, throw it in there. I bet replacing the tomatoes with Rotel would be really good too if you want to spice this up a bit.

Brown the meat, throw everything else in and season to taste with salt and pepper. Meanwhile, cook your pasta according to directions and drain. Add to the meat mixture and stir and that’s Mem’s Noodle Mess.

Throw a little grated cheese on top for kicks.

Y’all Enjoy!

Recipe: Family Reunion Macaroni Salad

I have no idea why the title of this recipe is ‘Family Reunion’ Macaroni Salad.  That’s how it is typed up in my mother’s recipe bible.  I do not question ‘the cooking bible’ because it has literally saved me from being a cooking disaster.  It is my I-Ching of cooking.   And, she keeps it simple.  So simple it is almost cheating at cooking and everyone thinks ‘oh, you’re such a good cook’.    (Evil laugh!)  Just smile and say thank you while hiding the recipe.

This salad is so stinkin’ easy to make and really delicious.  Goes well with anything and a great take-along to (duh) family reunions, picnics, church potlock, teacher’s meetings, parties.  Whatever.  So grab a ‘blue box’ and make this salad.

FAMILY REUNION MACARONI SALAD 

1 pkg. (28oz.) or 2 pkg. (14 oz.)  Kraft Deluxe Macaroni & Cheese Dinner
1 cup Miracle Whip Dressing
½ cup milk
½ cup sliced green onions
4 hard-cooked eggs, peeled, chopped
½ cup finely chopped celery
1 small red pepper, finely chopped

 Cook macaroni as directed on package; drain.  Rinse under cold running water until cooled.  Drain well.

 Mix cheese sauce, dressing and milk in a large bowl until well blended.  Stir in the green onions.

 Add macaroni and remaining ingredients to sauce mixture; stir gently until well blended.  Serve immediately.  Or, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Y’all Enjoy!

Recipe: Mimi’s Macaroni and Cheese

Next time you think about making Mac-n-Cheese, roll on past those ‘blue boxes’ on the grocery store shelf and make a batch of fresh, homemade Mac-n-Cheese. This is wonderful stuff! Hot, bubbly, rich, creamy, ooey-gooey cheese-ness. Yummmmmmm – goes great with Hot Dogs, Pork Chops, Hamburgers, Fish. Heck! You name it, Mac-n-Cheese goes with it.   Another plus, Mac-n-Cheese is a very economical side dish.

Hope y’all are enjoying some beautiful, warmer weather this week.   Maybe it is time to grill some burgers or hot dogs and make some of Mimi’s Mac-n-Cheese this weekend.

Mimi’s Macaroni and Cheese

6 quarts water
2 1/2 Tablespoons salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
2 pints sour cream
1 pound creamed cottage cheese
1 cup chopped green onions
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Bring water and salt to a boil. Add macaroni and cook until tender. Drain well. Combine macaroni with sour cream, cottage cheese, onions, salt, pepper and Worcestershire Sauce. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and top with grated cheese. Bake 10 to 15 minutes longer.

(note: I’ve been known to substitute one of the Worcestershire teaspoons with Tabasco Sauce to kick it up a notch and also use 1/2 Cheddar and 1/2 Pepper-jack Cheese on top.)

Y’all Enjoy!