Did you know that almost 14% of people think that cilantro tastes like soap? It’s true, and it’s completely scientific.
My mom’s side of the family makes an unbeatable baked macaroni and cheese. The ingredients? One pound of macaroni, one pound of cheese, and one quart of milk. Mix it all up, bake it, and eat gooey, cheesy bliss.
I am only one person, though. I cannot eat a full pan of mac-n-cheese all on my own. So when I recently had a hankering for mac-n-cheese, I created a quick, microwaveable version of this delicious side.
Combine elbow macaroni and water in a large microwaveable bowl.
Microwave on high for 4 minutes, stirring when there are 2 minutes remaining and when there is 1 minute remaining.
Microwave on high for an additional 1.5 minutes.
For my second acorn squash recipe, I decided to mimic one of my favorite dishes: garlic mashed potatoes. I was skeptical at first of boiling the squash instead of roasting it. However, it cooked much quicker, and the final product was amazing.
Chop squash into cubes. You can peel the squash first or you can peel it after cooking.
Bring a pan of water to a boil.
Return to a boil and reduce to medium heat.
Cook 10-15 minutes, until squash is tender.
On a cutting board, use a fork to mash the squash. If you have not already peeled it, do so now.
Mix in garlic, salt, pepper, and chives.
Some foods bring back memories. My grandmother’s Orange Jell-O Fluff is not one of them…but it should be. We eat this food at EVERY family gathering, but we never eat it on a normal day. While it doesn’t necessarily bring back memories, Orange Jell-O Fluff does make me think of my cousins. Then the memories pour in. I smile as I recall games of Uno, Balderdash, and Sorry. I chuckle at the mental site of us pretending to be ants from A Bug’s Life. I remember riding down the “huge hill” on scooters and bicycles. Because my family is spread across the globe, visits are sporadic, but I love making memories with them.
So if you don’t have exactly what is listed below, don’t despair. This recipe is very forgiving and always delicious!
Combine Jell-O, oranges, and pineapple. Chill for thirty minutes.
Fold in whipped topping–do not over-stir!
What foods bring memories back to you?
Although I am from a town that claims to be the BBQ capital of the world, I am not a huge fan of pulled pork barbecue sandwiches. However, I found myself in the mood for some extra-flavorful veggies today, and these BBQ “fries” hit the spot. The tangy BBQ flavor mixed nicely with the sweet carrots to create a simple mid-afternoon snack.
The recipe below is for a single serving, but it could easily be multiplied to be served as a side-dish. Also, most people would probably prefer a stronger BBQ flavor; feel free to add more BBQ sauce!
Slice carrots into 3-inch by 1/4-inch fries.
In a plastic bag, combine all ingredients. Shake well so that the carrots are well coated.
Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick spray and arrange carrots in a single layer on the pan.
Bake for 12-15 minutes or until tender.
What is your hometown known for?