Archives For Grandma Caress

We have homemade macaroni & cheese with every important meal – Thanksgiving, Christmas, Birthdays or just to show someone you care. Grandma Caress makes it and the grandkids love it, and the grown-ups usually request it with, “Well I’m not sure so and so (insert 2 year olds name) would eat anything except Grandma’s mac & cheese, so we better make it.”

Method & Ingredients:
1 -Grease 9 x 13 pan
2 -1 lb. pkg. large elbow noodles cooked & drained
3 -In a sauce pan: Add 4 Tbsp. flour to 2 cups cold milk – stir with whisk.
4 – Add 4 Tbsp. butter – cook on medium heat.
5 – Stirring constantly – add 1 cup cheddar cheese & bring to a boil for 1 minute.
6 – Add salt & pepper to taste.
7 – Add noodles & sauce to pan – top with 3 cups cheddar cheese & paprika.
8 – Bake at 350 degrees uncovered for 30 minutes or until bubbly.

Salad Ingredients:

8 cups coarsely shredded or torn Romaine lettuce
8 large eggs, hard cooked (slice when cooled)
2 pints cherry tomatoes (reserve 8 whole for garnish)
2 cans (11 oz. each) kernel corn, drained
1 can (16 oz.) black beans, rinsed & drained
1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions
2 ripe Haas avocados, peeled, cut in 1/2 inch chunks, toss in 1 Tbsp. lime juice

Dressing:
1 1/2 cups reduced-fat mayo
2/3 cup bottled chunky salsa
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
1/2 teaspoon each ground cumin & chili powder
1 1/4 cups cilantro leaves, finely chopped

Garnish:
pitted ripe (black) olives, reserved cherry tomatoes & shredded cheddar cheese

Method:
1 – Lightly pack lettuce in bottom of a transparent 6-quart serving bowl with straight sides (trifle bowl)
2 – Stand a row of egg slices around side of bowl. Lay remainder egg slices over lettuce, then top with a layer of cherry tomoatoes.
3 – In a medium-sized bowl, stir corn, black beans and scallions to mix. Spoon over tomatoes. Top with avocado chunks.
4 – Put dressing ingredients in same bowl (no need to wash) & stir until well blended. Spread evenly over avocado layer to edges of bowl to seal.
5 – Cover tightly with plastic film & refrigerate overnight or up to 2 days.
6 – To serve: Garnish with olives, tomatoes, & cheddar cheese.

This recipe is courtesy Grandma Caress, she loves the way it looks.