Semi-homemade Mac and Cheese

I have a great homemade Mac and Cheese recipe (that one day I will post) and on days of craving comfort food it is my first choice. However, when I'm in a pinch I will use this semi-homemade recipe....found on the back of the Kraft box!! Gotta love it!

1 pkg. Kraft Deluxe Mac & Cheese Dinner
1/2 c. cubed sharp cheddar cheese (can use shredded)
1/4 c. shredded cheddar
1/4 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
1 egg, uncooked
1/2 c. milk
1/4 tsp. black pepper

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Prepare Kraft Dinner as directed on package.
3. Combine cubed and shredded cheese in medium bowl, set aside.
4. Beat egg, milk and pepper with wire whisk until well blended.
5. Spoon half of the prepared Dinner into greased 2 quart casserole dish; cover with 1/2 the cheese mix. Repeat layers. Drizzle evenly with egg mixture.
6. Bake 15 minutes or until center is set and Dinner mixture is heated through.
Yields 12 servings (1 serving= 1/2 cup)

Roasted Asparagus with Balsamic Brown Butter

Is there anything better than butter? Yes there is!! Add some soy and balsamic vinegar and redefine butter!! This simple recipe produces an impressive side dish.
To make your asparagus super tender re-hydrate them in a cup of water. Snap off the ends of the asparagus (should easily break off where the end has dried out). Place asparagus in a coffee cup 1/2 filled with cold water. Let sit in cup atleast 20 minutes. We do this every time we cook asparagus and find the results worth the extra effort.

40 asparagus spears, trimmed (approx. 2 pounds)
cooking spray
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
cracked black pepper (optional)
grated lemon rind (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Arrange asparagus in a single layer on a baking sheet; coat asparagus with cooking spray. (I use my pampered chef large rectangular stone pan and it cooks wonderfully!) Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake at 400 degrees for 12 minutes or until tender.
3. Melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat; cook 3 minutes or until lightly browned, shaking pan occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in soy sauce and balsamic vinegar. Drizzle over asparagus, tossing well to coat. Garnish with cracked pepper and rind, if desired. Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 5 spears)
Source: Cooking Light Sept '07

Calories 45; Fat 3g; Protein 1.9g; Carb 3.9g; Fiber 1.7g; Chol 8mg; Iron 0.7mg; Sodium 134mg; Calc 18 mg

Couscous Pilaf

I made this dish without the slivered almonds and fresh lemon rind, only because I didn't have any, and it was fabulous!! Found this recipe in my most recent Cooking Light magazine, Jan/Feb 2008.

1 1/2 c. fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1 c. uncooked couscous
1/3 c. dried cherries
1/4 c. toasted slivered almonds
3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1/2 teaspoon grated fresh lemon rind
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

Bring chicken broth to a boil in a medium sauce pan over medium-high heat. Add couscous to broth, cover and remove from heat. Let couscous stand for 5 minutes. Uncover and fluff with fork. Stir in cherries, almonds, parsley, olive oil, lemon rind, salt and pepper. Stir well.
Yields 4 servings

Broccoli and Mushroom Casserole

I have had this recipe for so long I can't recall where I found it! Unlike most of my recipes this one couldn't possibly have come from Cooking Light..look at all of those yummy fat laden ingredients!! My hubby loves blue cheese and I only like it "in" stuff, so this recipe has been a hit for the both of us. I recently served it at dinner for friends and they loved it too! This is for you Kerri and Jenn!!

1/2 c. mayo
1/2 c. plain yogurt
1 1/4 c. shredded sharp cheddar cheese (must use sharp)
1/3 c. blue cheese dressing (go ahead and splurge on the good stuff)
2 eggs, uncooked
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoon pepper
6 c. broccoli, peeled stems and head, chopped and *blanched in salt water
12 oz. sliced mushrooms, sauteed in 1 Tablespoon butter
1 pkg. chicken flavored Ramen noodle soup, broken up

*To blanch: steam broccoli until tender-crisp, not wilted. Remove from steamer and submerge into a medium bowl of ice cold water and approx. 2- tablespoons salt (mix salt and water while broccoli is steaming to allow time for the salt to dissolve). This process stops the cooking and keeps you from having very overcooked broccoli in the casserole.
Preheat oven 350 degrees.
1. Sautee the mushrooms in 1 Tablespoon of butter while broccoli is steaming. Careful not to overcook. Set aside.
2. In large bowl combine mayo, yogurt, cheddar, blue cheese, eggs, salt and pepper, and flavor packet from the noodles.
3. Add the blanched broccoli and sauteed mushrooms to the wet mixture. Add the noodles.
4. Place in an 8X8 dish coated with nonstick cooking spray. Cook covered 45 minutes in 350 degree oven. Remove cover and bake an additional 15 minutes to brown. Cool 10 minutes.
Yields 6-8 servings