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She Says: Impromptu Mac & Cheese
So, here’s a student teaching related story for you. Everyday this little girl has one of these Wholly Guacamole! packets of guacamole and a few tortilla chips for snack. Everyday I want to steal it. It looks extra delicious at 10:30 in the morning when I haven’t eaten anything for 4 hours. Anyone tried it?
When I got home from school I tried something I didn’t really like… dried figs. I’ve tried fresh figs, not so much fan. Now these, also not a fan. They were sort of seedy and stretchy and they weren’t all that flavorful. Well, I’ll stick to dates, prunes and figs in newton form.
After running I was kind of hungry, but not sure what I wanted. I knew I wanted it to involve pasta, so I started cooking some whole wheat penne and rummaged around for other ingredients. I made what turned out to be a surprisingly creamy macaroni and cheese.
After I cooked the pasta, I drained most, but not all of the water and added 1 small carton of vegetable broth. Then I found the star ingredient: a delicious Parmesan cheese from Whole Foods. It was so good and I just kept grating and grating and grating. It just melted right in there. As I stirred, it became thick and creamy when combined with the rest of the ingredients. I used probably 1/3 cup for 1/2 box of pasta. Here is what I added to the penne.
- A bag of frozen veggies (summer squash, green beans, carrots, asparagus, cauliflower, broccoli)
- Grape Tomatoes
- Cannelini beans
- I can’t believe how creamy it was. Yum. Definitely made up for my poor fig experience.
- Olive Oil
- Garlic Powder
- Pepper
Pie Please
I am in charge of making one pie for Thanksgiving (don’t worry there will be at least two others), so what is your favorite Thanksgiving pie? If you have a recipe, pass it along. Thanks!
**Updated: My mom will make apple pie, pumpkin from the Libby’s can recipe and possible mincemeat for my dad, so my dessert does not need to be a pie.**
I made mac and cheese too! Mine involved fontina, buttered, garlic (homemade!) bread crumbs and a casserole dish. It was lovely.
I was just talking to my mom about pumpkin pie. It is clearly one of, if not the best pie in the world. She has been making all kinds of fancy pumpkin pies for the past many weeks in hopes of stunning the family with a new, delicious pumpkin pie for the big day. She was saying how none of them are “just right.” I told her that last weekend I made one and just used the recipe on the back of the Libby’s pumpkin can. It was unbelievably fabulous (and simple!) We conceded that fancy, gourmet recipe do not always make the best pies.
I had a mac and cheese dish last night – too funny! Favorite pie for thanksgiving is a homemade pumpkin. pecan pie with a caramel drizzle on the top and fresh homemade vanilla ice cream on top!
zesty
The Wholly Guac packs are soooo good!! I found them at Wal-mart and Kroger, definitely give them a try if you can find ‘em!!
I would have to say pumpkin pie is always a classic, and it’s even got some redeming health benefits!!
I’ve been looking for that guacamole, but haven’t been able to find it
WHAT?!?!?!?! I ADORE DRIED FIGS!!!!! Send them to me!
****Also, you need to try ORGANIC dried figs – very luscious and full of great flavor.
**Favorite Thanksgiving pie to make (and eat):
http://viveleveganrecipes.blogspot.com/2007/10/chocolate-pumpkin-pie.html
My comment got spammed!!
Hey girl! Looks like a great dinner. haven’t tried the wholly guac but do want to try it! I am having a debate between which pie I want to make for tgiving. My Aunt is making pecan and wants me to make one more- I am stuck between pumpkin (the regular Libby lite version- http://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/detail.aspx?id=138971) and an apple pear steusel- http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/gale-gand/apple-and-pear-streusel-pie-recipe/index.html)
i heart mac n cheese! yours looks like one i would enjoy very much so
my fav thanksgiving pie is pecan, for sure. its so unhealthy, but i only have it once a year so who cares!!
Haha – I liked reading the descriptive account of your dislike for figs and then looking at the “Tastes Great” label on the package.
I have seen those packets, but we have a lot of guac in our freezer that I bought in bulk at Sam’s so no purchasing it for a while!
I usually make the pumpkin pie recipe on the can of pumpkin and sometimes an apple pie. I’m hosting Thanksgiving this year, so I need to start my menu!
Rob loves wholly guac!
Your mac and cheese looks really good. I was going to have that for dinner tonight, and then realized I had no cheese!
As for pie, I love apple, which my grandma makes every year. I have no idea of her recipe, other than I know that she puts like 5 pounds of apples in it and no cinnamon. It’s amazing…
i’ve had those same figs before!!! they are really hard and sticky. whole foods has much better figs.
as for pie, are you vegan? i can’t remember if you are or not because there’s SOO MANY bloggers.
i’m making this:
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2007/11/double-layer-pumpkin-cheesecake.html
here’s her pumpkin pie, too:
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2006/10/and-answer-is.html
Hahah, I’m not much a pie fan – I like the crust the most! -lol- I love apples, but not apple pie for some reason. Good luck finding a recipe!
I’ve heard of Wholly Guacamole and have seen it in stores. But I’m searching for those 100 calorie packs because I’d hate to open a big bag and not be able to finish it before it went bad. You’re right – it looks AMAZING.
Love the impromptu mac & cheese. As far as pies go, I always am in charge of making a cherry pie, and my family devours it. The recipe is at home locked in a safe
Just kidding…but it is true that I don’t have it with me. If you’re really interested, let me know and I can ask my mom to send it to me so that I can pass it along!
My favorite pie = pecan pie. Or maybe apple. Kind of a tie.
But my all time favorite Thanksgiving dessert is probably pumpkin roll (you make a kind of thin cakey pumpkin bread and then spread it with a cream cheese mix and roll it up). My grandma used to make it.
my fav is pumpkin pie defiently and my aunt is a pastry chef and wow is her pecan pie amazing! wish i had the recipe.
great eats,the pasta looks super yum!
your pasta looks delicious!!! Parmesan cheese just makes everything yummy~~~~~
for the pie I really don’t know… should it be related to thanksgiving? or any kind of pie?
my favorite pies are lemon pie, mango pie, pineapple pie, apple pie…..well…. pretty much all kinds of pie!
YUM YUM YUM!!! I may steal this for dinner one night
Maggie
My mother (Heather’s Grandma) makes the same pumpkin roll. Scrumptious!!!!!!!!
Mmmm to your pasta! I would be tempted to take the guac from that girl too
YUM! Your M&C looks SO good!!! Great little creation!
Have you ever tried a Medjool date? Those are so much better!!
What about a pumpkin cheesecake? I have a super easy recipe, if you are interested.
Cheers!
Too bad you didn’t like figs (I love figs!) but dinner does sound delicious
I’m testing out a dessert recipe for Thanksgiving too. I’ll post tonight if I like it so stay tuned 
has your mom tried the libby’s can recipe yet? i need to make a pumpkin pie and need a fab recipe!
I love this! Sounds sooo creamy and wonderful!
The pasta looks so good!!
I LOVE Wholly Guacamole!!!
And I totally giggled at the “figs in the newton form” comment!
thanks! i wasn’t sure if i was feeling hangry or not! i think i was though!
I don’t really like dried figs either. It makes me sad. I have a whole bag sitting in my cupboard. I think I’ll try to use them up in some kind of recipe. Hopefully loading them up in a sugar-y, baked form will make them more edible.
Cheesy pasta is the greatest thing ever. So is freshly grated parmesan cheese. I haven’t had that in forever. Completely blows regular parm in a container stuff right out of the water.
hey! I just read this recipe in my newspaper shortly after reading your blog this am. I believe its from McCormick. nutritionally its not horrible( its the holidays) and can probably be lightened up.
GINGERBREAD BARS WITH CREAM CHEESE ICING
1 1/4 cups flour
1 tablespoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 1/4 cups sugar, divided
1 egg
1/3 cup molasses
3 tablespoons water
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 13-by-9-inch baking pan with foil. Spray foil with no stick cooking spray. Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Set aside.
Beat butter and 3/4 cup of the sugar in large bowl with electric mixer until light and fluffy. Beat in egg until well blended. Gradually beat in flour mixture until well mixed. Stir in molasses and water just until blended. Spread evenly in prepared pan.
Beat cream cheese in large bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Beat in remaining 1/2 cup sugar and vanilla until smooth. Reserve 1/2 cup of the icing; refrigerate remaining icing. Spoon dollops (about 1 teaspoon each) of the reserved icing over batter in pan. With knife or spatula, swirl icing through batter to marbleize.
Bake 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 15 minutes. Lift out of pan using foil. Cool completely on wire rack. Invert and peel off foil. Spread refrigerated icing over top. Cut into bars. Store in refrigerator. Makes 27 (1 bar) servings.
Nutritional Information per serving: Calories: 131; fat: 7 g.; carbohydrates: 16 g/; cholesterol: 28 mg.; sodium: 117 mg.; fiber: 0 g.; protein: 1 g.
Your mac and cheese looks SO GOOD. I would love to have mac and cheese right now… thanks for that recipe!
Sounds like your mom has my favorite pies covered, but here are a few of my other favorite desserts for a crowd. Let me know if any sound interesting, and I’ll send you the recipe.
–Chocolate torte with gingerbread crust (Fabulous and very seasonal)
–Chocolate lava cakes
–Berry cobbler a la mode (works with any fruit you want)
–Pumpkin flan
sorry about the fig incident – but that pasta looks fantastic!
im boring – cherry pie!
first off the guacamole packets are SO cool – i need to find them asap because i am obsessed with tortilla chips and any kind of mexican dip!
My favorite holiday pie is pecan pie! I am making one of them and need to get the recipe from my mom – so let me know if you want it!
One time, I took a raspberry cheesecake (with lots of fresh raspberries and raspberry sauce) to a thanksgiving party. It actually got devoured before any of the pie was finished! I think after such a filling meal, people wanted something a bit more tart for dessert. I think that might be something worth looking into…? I unfortunately don’t have the recipe, cause I just bought mine at a pastry shop, but I’m sure foodnetwork will have some bomb cheesecake recipes!
Pumpking pie or cranberry-apple pie w/ diced, candied ginger are my top two. However I recently made a rustic free-form plum tart sprinkled with cornmeal that tasted amazing… I thnk i found it on Epicurious.com…
I love that the package of not-so-yummy food feels the need to actually apply a label saying “Tastes Great”!
I like the Wholly Guacamole packs, but can’t always find them in the single serving size.
Wholly Guacamole is amazing! I’ve only had it once, but it left a huge impression on me.
Not to be one for originality, pumpkin pie is my favorite. With whipped cream (or Cool Whip…not too picky!)