Cheater mac and cheese

Tonight I wanted something fast and easy for dinner. I also wanted something cheap. So upon inspection, my fridge offered up a package of shredded cheddar cheese and some left over evaporated milk. My pantry offered 3/4 of a pound of salad macaroni.

So, I cooked the macaroni and returned it to the hot pot. I then poured in about half a cup of milk, and started adding the cheese by the handful, letting it melt between each addition as I stirred it in. I seasoned it with salt, pepper, onion powder and garlic powder. I used just over half a pound of cheese, but use it and the milk to taste for a cheesy, creamy sauce.

Four cheese mac & cheese with roasted broccoli

Tonight I used up my left over cheese from the grilled cheese sandwiches I made.

I boiled a pound of macaroni. In another pot I made a simple roux of 3T each flour and butter. I then added 2 cans of fat free evaporated milk (the only ki d of fat free dairy I can tolerate!!) I then stirred in my left over cheddar, jack and Gouda that was pregrated from the other night (between 2 and 3 cups). I also stirred in about 3oz of cream cheese. I season with salt and pepper, and mixed it with my cooked and drained macaroni.

The broccoli was super easy. I brought 3 stalks of broccoli, which I cut off into flowerettes. I sprinkled them with oil and salt, spread them on a baking sheet and cooked at 375* for about 20 minutes. It was a yummy alternative to steamed broccoli :)

Gourmet grilled cheese

My friend Tiombe posted a pic this last week of a grilled cheese sandwich she had ordered at a restaurant (sorry! Don't remember the name :P ). I decided, since I am not in southern California to go to the restaurant to try one, I would make one myself.

I combined shredded cheddar, jack an Gouda cheeses as described in the restaurant sandwich. I also combined some smashed garlic with soft butter. I spread garlic butter on one side of a piece of bread, and coated it with grated Parmesan cheese, then placed it butter side down on my preheated griddle. I then piled a generous amount of mixed cheeses on the bread. I repeated the butter and Parmesan cheese treatment on another piece of bread, and put it butter side up on the sandwich on the griddle. I cooked it until both sides were golden and cheese was melted.

It was yummy, especially served with a cold hard cider :) Thanks, Tiombe!