The Best Mac & Cheese Made With What You Have Left

Cook the best mac and cheese with the ingredients you probably have left in your kitchen. This creamy dish is perfect for lunch or dinner. Add some crispy panko breadcrumb topping to add crunch to a delicious pasta dish.

Ingredients:

• 3-4 green onions (chopped)
• 1 jalapeno (finely chopped)
• 1 garlic clove (minced)
• 3 tbsp butter
• a box of funghetto pasta (or any pasta)
• 2-3 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cream
• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/2 tbsp dijon mustard
• 2 cups cheddar cheese (grated)
• salt and pepper to taste

Topping:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• some chopped green onions

Instructions:

Boil water in a pot.
Cook the funghetto pasta according to the box instructions.
Stir the pasta to avoid the pasta from sticking together.
Once cooked, drain the water.
Set aside.

Set a cast-iron pan over medium heat.
Add 3 tbsp of butter and melt it.
Add the chopped green onions and jalapeno.
Add minced garlic.
Saute for a minute until the vegetables are soft.
Add 2-3 tbsp of all-purpose flour.
Stir and cook until well mixed.
Add a cup each of cream and milk.
Add 1 1/2 tbsp of dijon.
Stir until the sauce thickens.
Switch off the heat.
Add grated cheddar cheese, then stir until cheese is melted.
Add the cooked pasta.
Toss to coat the pasta.
Season with salt and pepper.
Toss to combine.
Set aside while preparing the topping.

Topping:

Melt 2 tbsp of butter in a small frying pan.
Add a cup of panko breadcrumbs.
Stir until browned.
Add some chopped green onions.
Stir until browned and crispy.
Remove from the heat.

Assembly:

Transfer mac and cheese to a plate for serving.
Sprinkle the topping.
Enjoy!

Images – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCkJHGQbWlE

Quick and Easy Salsa Recipe – Homemade Salsa From Scratch

Prepare this quick and easy salsa as a sauce for your favorite nachos and tortillas. It takes about 15 minutes to prepare. This homemade salsa can be stored in the fridge for up to a week.

Ingredients:

• 2 x 15 oz cans fire-roasted tomatoes
• 1/3 cup white onion (chopped)
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1-2 jalapeno (sliced and seeds removed)
• 1 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)
• juice of 1-2 medium limes
• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt

Instructions:

This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare.

Drain liquid of 2 x 15 oz of fire-roasted tomatoes.
Set aside.

Prepare a food processor.
Add two cloves of garlic.
Pulse until garlic is minced.
Add fire-roasted tomatoes, chopped white onions, and sliced jalapeno.
Season with fine sea salt and juice of a lime.
Add fresh cilantro.
Pulse until well combined.
You can season with fine sea salt and juice of a lime again to taste.
Pulse to mix well.
Transfer salsa to a bowl.
Serve with your favorite tortillas or nachos.
Enjoy!

Tips and ideas:

You can use freshly chopped tomatoes as an alternative for fire-roasted tomatoes.

Keep refrigerated.

Images – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTOMv9RhEE0

Cast Iron Pan Pizza

Here’s a crispy and cheesy homemade cast iron pan pizza that would be amazing for lunch. Prepare a delicious pizza sauce made from pureed tomatoes, olive oil, and sugar. Add flavor to the pizza dough by coating the cast iron pan with some black pepper, dried oregano, and salt. Top it off with your favorite cheese and toppings to make it a even tastier.

Ingredients:

Dough:

• 1/4 tsp dry yeast
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 cup warm water
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• some olive oil
• 1/2 tsp salt

Cast Iron Coating:

• pinch of cornmeal
• pinch of fresh ground black pepper
• pinch of dried oregano
• pinch of salt

Sauce:

• 1/3 cup canned pureed tomatoes
• some olive oil
• pinch of sugar
• 1-2 fresh basil leaves (chopped)

Toppings:

• 4 oz mozzarella cheese (chopped and frozen)
• 1 jalapeno pepper (sliced thinly)
• some grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:

Prepare a wide mixing bowl.
Add dry yeast, sugar, and warm water.
Mix well to combine.
Let it rest for 5 minutes.
Drizzle some olive oil.
Add all-purpose flour and salt.
Mix well until it becomes a dough.
Knead the dough until soft.
Drizzle some olive oil again and form a round dough.
Cover the mixing bowl with a clingfilm.
Set aside and let it increase in size in 2 hours.

Prepare a 10-inch cast-iron pan.
Drizzle some olive oil.
Sprinkle a pinch of cornmeal, ground black pepper, dried oregano, and salt.
Coat the bottom and sides of the pan.
Spread the dough on the bottom of the pan.
Leave for 30 minutes and let the dough increase in size.

Meanwhile, prepare the pizza sauce.
In a bowl, add pureed tomatoes, olive oil, sugar, and chopped basil leaves.
Mix well to combine.

Set broiler to high.
Set the cast iron pan over medium heat.
Spread the pizza sauce on the pizza dough.
Sprinkle some grated parmesan cheese.
Add mozzarella cheese and chopped jalapeno.
Let it cook for 7-8 minutes.
Once done, remove from the heat.
Place it inside the broiler and let it cook for 3-4 minutes or until cheese is golden brown.
Once done, remove from the broiler and let it cool.
Slice for servings.
Enjoy!

Images – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYxB4QBlrx4