Mac and Cheese

Barefoot Contessa Family Style

• Kosher salt
• Vegetable oil
• 1 pound elbow macaroni or cavatappi
• 1 quart milk
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 12 ounces Gruyere, grated (4 cups)
• 8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3/4 pound fresh tomatoes (4 small)
• 1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the macaroni and cook according to the directions on the package, 6 to 8 minutes. Drain well.
Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. Melt 6 tablespoons of butter in a large (4-quart) pot and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. While whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and stir well. Pour into a 3-quart baking dish.
Slice the tomatoes and arrange on top. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.

Oatmeal Scotchies

One of my all time favorites! I suggest this dough be used as soon as it's made. I tried making it ahead and chilling and the cookies spread way too much.

1 c all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups oats, uncooked (quick or old fashioned)
1 12 oz. pkg (2 cups) butterscotch morsels

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon; set aside.

In a large bowl, combine butter, sugar, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract.  Beat until creamy.  Gradually add flour mixture. Stir in oats and butterscotch morsels.  Drop by level tablespoons onto ungreased cooked sheets. Bake at 375 for 7 - 8 minutes for chewier cookies, 9 - 10 for crisper cookies.  Makes 4 dozen 3" cookies.

For Oatmeal Scotchie Pan Cookie: Spread dough into greased 15 x 10 x 1" baking pan. Bake 375 degrees for 20 - 25 minutes. Cool completely. Cut into 35 2" squares.

Carmelized Apple Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Printable recipe

1 Tbsp butter
1 Tbsp brown sugar
1 dash of cinnamon
1 apple (peeled, cored and sliced)
2 thick slices of good cheese (cheddar or gouda work well)
2 slices of good bread
1 Tbsp butter

Melt the butter in a non-stick pan.

Add the sugar and cinnamon and cook until bubbly.

Add the apples and saute until tender, about 5 minutes.

Assemble sandwich and grill until golden brown on both sides, about 2-4 minutes per side.

Crockpot Pulled Chicken

Crockpot Pulled Chicken - as seen on Apple A Day, originally from Eating Well - serves 8-1

Printable Recipe
1 (14 oz.) can tomato sauce
2-3 chipotle chiles in adobo, finely minced
1/4 cup cider vinegar
3 Tbsp honey
1 Tbsp plus 2 tsp smoked paprika
2 Tbsp tomato paste
2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3 tsp dry mustard
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs and breasts, trimmed of fat
1 medium onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced

Stir tomato sauce, chiles, vinegar, honey, paprika, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, chili powder and salt in a 6-quart slow cooker until smooth. Add chicken, onion and garlic; stir to combine.

Put the lid on and cook on low until the chicken can be pulled apart, about 5-6 hours.

Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and shred with a fork. Return the chicken to the sauce, stir well and serve.