Pesto Mac & Cheese!! (Finally)
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Before we get to the very very very very delayed continuation of this blog, I just want to say..
Thank You..
Thank you, to ALL who have stood by me throughout this transitional period of my life and stuck by as I try and deal with the many many changes that have come my (our) way since my last post.
You can expect much more in the next couple of months, including a new website! (whats4dinnerdad.com)
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Well, whats new you ask? Well, I'll tell you.. LOTS!
Firstly, and most recently..
I'm going to be a DAD!!! - Yes! Chandra and I are going to have a baby and as of this writing, are starting our 6th week! We are very excited and count this as a blessing upon our home!! Those who know us, know we have been trying for almost 2 years, during which, we were unable to conceive and were heartbroken with 2 miscarriages during that time.. it's been an emotional roller coaster for us for sure, but.. all is very well with this pregnancy and we look forward to bringing you updates throughout..
Also,
We are getting married!! September 24th, 2011 - Chandra Risk and I will become Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan! Not only that, but I am also in the works of adopting Dalton!! After we set the date, the next week, we found out we were pregnant! Amazing!! (like the baby was saying: get off yer ass and marry this great woman and I'll be along shortly, heheh)
One more important bit, and a sad one.. My father did loose his battle with his illness and is now watching from above.. this has effected all of us of course, and one of the main reasons I just have not had the energy or passion for expressing my feelings on this, or any, medium... He was an amazing man, a great inventor, award-winning brewery owner, and a fantastic father.. I'll miss him always, but honor him in teaching my own children the foundation my own life was built upon as well as continuing his brewing legacy! (Beer recipes and photos of the brewery when it arrives, as it's being transported to my doorstep, sometime in the August-September months).. I was taught by the best, and I can't wait to share his, and my passion for brewing, with you all..
Now... on with the show
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Pesto Mac & Cheese - Freakin Delicious!
Pesto Mac is something I came up with one night.. I wanted mac n cheese with dinner, I wanted it baked but I didn't just want plain (but hardly boring) Mac... so, I decided to try something.. usually, when I cook noodles, I add a bit of oil after draining to keep from sticking and to give a little flavor.. I thought, well hell.. I have tons of basil from my garden.. pine nuts, some olive oil... why not give it a try... the result... mind-blowing deliciousness
You will need:
Elbow Macaroni (or bow-tie works really well to hold the flavors)
Cheddar Cheese (or any really good melty cheese, Gouda works well in combo)
Butter or Margarine
Panko Bread Crumbs
Flour
Milk
Salt
Pepper
Pesto (homemade is best.. Use the youtube link below to learn how to make a pesto)
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Mac n Cheese is very easy, but delicious to make! Pesto Mac, is just as easy, only you add a bit of the pesto in two different places during cooking for a full flavor..
PREHEAT OVEN TO 400 deg F
Prep everything first, it'll make all of this go much smoother (make pesto as well)
Get your noodles going, I use enough to feed us and leftovers for the next day, about 1 box of noodles... IMPORTANT: Salt your boiling water with about 2 pinches of salt!
I'll add here really quickly that each small portion of this is about 500 calories, so as delicious as it might be, try to stick with small servings or just serve this for the entire meal.. don't blame me if you gain 10 lbs eating the whole pan ;)
To create the perfect cheese sauce:
Melt 1/4 a stick of butter in a medium-high sauce pan
do NOT brown butter, it will give unwanted flavors
- add a spoonful of your pesto here! -
add about a tablespoon of FLOUR (not butter, lol) and whisk together to form your Rue
let the flour cook while constantly whisking for about 3-4 minutes
Add milk slowly, whisking quickly while the sauce starts to form
(without pesto, this is a simple butter white sauce, instead of milk, use wine to make a delicious white wine sauce base)
once you have a slightly thickened sauce, reduce to medium, add a bit more milk to thin it out.. you'll want it a little thin because we are going to start adding the cheese now..
*TURN OFF THE HEAT* AND SLOWLY ADD THE CHEESE
I use about a Cup each of Smoked Cheddar and Gouda, you know your families tastes, add what they like!! (*just make sure it's a melting cheese)
Add milk as needed, whisk constantly to prevent clumping
Add noodles to a deep baking dish of your choice - Ceramic and glass are easy clean up here
Casserole pans work for us quite well..
Before you pour the cheese sauce on, add another spoonful of Pesto (or two) to your noodles in the pan and mix well! ALSO, add about a handful of Panko bread crumbs to the noodles too, no.. they won't get soggy, they are panko and you'll have a delicious crunch throughout.
Add the cheese sauce to the noodles and mix well... add as much as you'd like.. we love it cheesy, so we add it all... use your best judgement but for goodness sake, do not skimp on it!
Melt a little butter (1 tsp) and mix 1 Cup of Panko in it.. stir well, coat well
Sprinkle the bread crumbs over top, as well as some of that leftover cheese... coat the entire top with the bread crumbs and cheese
In the oven for 30 minutes... and ENJOY your delicious PESTO MAC & CHEESE!!
See you on Facebook, Twitter, Whats4dinnerdad.com, and of course, right here..
Chef Dad(dy)!!
