Yummy Restaurant Style Mac and Cheese

                                                                                                                

1 lb elbow macaroni

2 (10 3/4 ounce) cans cheddar cheese soup

2 (12 ounce) cans evaporated milk

1/2 stick of butter cut into chunks

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (medium or sharp, or a combination) I used colby/jack

Directions:

1 Preheat oven to 350.

2 Cook pasta according to pasta directions just until done.

3 Combine soup, evaporated milk, butter, salt, and pepper in a large microwaveable bowl. Cover, leaving a small vent, and cook for 6-7 minutes until the butter is melted and the mixture is warm-to-hot throughout. (If making a half batch, 4 minutes in the microwave should do it).

4 In a large baking dish (minimum 9x13, smaller if halving the recipe), spread 1/3 of the cooked noodles. Top with 1/3 of the sauce. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the cheddar.

5 Repeat layers twice, ending with the cheese.

6 Bake for 40-45 minutes.

7 Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.

Applewoods Farm Apple Fritters

                                                                                                                                                                                                           

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

2 T. melted butter

1 T orange peel

1/2 cup chopped apples (with skin on)

1 t. vanilla

1 1/2 cups cake flour

1/4 t salt

1 T  baking powder

1/2 cup sugar

Blend sugar with all wet ingredients.  Fold in orange peel, salt and baking power.  Fold in flour, fold in chopped apples.  Do not over mix.  Drop spoonfuls of batter in 325 degree oil and fry until golden brown.

Crash Hot Potatoes

                                                                                                                            

Thanks Ree Drummond, thepioneerwoman.com

12 whole New Potatoes (or Other Small Round Potatoes)

3 Tablespoons Olive Oil

Kosher Salt To Taste

Black Pepper To Taste

Rosemary (or Other Herbs Of Choice) To Taste

 Instructions

Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add in as many potatoes as you wish to make and cook them until they are fork-tender.
On a sheet pan, generously drizzle olive oil. Place tender potatoes on the cookie sheet leaving plenty of room between each potato.
With a potato masher, gently press down each potato until it slightly mashes, rotate the potato masher 90 degrees and mash again. Brush the tops of each crushed potato generously with more olive oil.
Sprinkle potatoes with kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper and fresh chopped rosemary (or chives or thyme or whatever herb you have available.)
Bake in a 450 degree oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

Baked Ziti

                                                                                                         

1 lb lean ground beef or turkey 

1 cup onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 (32 ounce) jar meatless sauce

1 cup chicken broth

1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves

1 (16 ounce) package ziti pasta, cooked and drained

2 (8 ounce) cups shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

Directions:

 

1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2 In a large skillet, cook ground beef, onions, and garlic over medium-high heat for 6 to 8 minutes or until beef is browned; stirring frequently.

3 Stir in spaghetti sauce, chicken broth, and oregano.

4 Reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

5 Stir 1 cup of the sauce into the cooked ziti noodles.

6 Spoon 1/2 of the ziti mixture into a 13x9x2-inch baking dish.

7 Sprinkle with 1 1/2 cups mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese.

8 Top with 2 cups sauce, then remaining ziti mixture and remaining sauce.

9 Cover and bake 20 minutes.

10 Sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.

11 Return to oven and bake uncovered for 10 minutes or until heated through.

Apple Fritters

                                                                                                             

Thanks Jonna, justgetoffyourbuttandbake.com and Rhodes Bread!

20 Rhodes™ Dinner Rolls, thawed to room temperature
3 granny Smith apples, peeled and diced
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1 egg, beaten
oil for deep frying

Glaze:
1 cup powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk or half & half

Directions:
Pour oil 2 to 3-inches deep into a small sauce pan or an electric frying pan, and heat to medium high setting or 350° F. Combine apples, sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg in a bowl. Transfer the mixture into a strainer over the bowl so excess juice can drain. Spray counter lightly with non-stick spray. Roll each of two rolls into a 6-inch circle. Brush one circle lightly with beaten egg. Sprinkle with 2-3 tablespoons of the apple mixture, avoiding the edges. Lay the remaining circle over the apple mixture and match up the edges. Seal thoroughly by pressing the edges together several times. Fry until deep golden brown on both sides. Place on a rack to drain. Repeat with remaining rolls. For glaze, whisk together powdered sugar and milk. Brush warm fritters with glaze and serve when glaze has set.