Mac and Cheese with Cauliflower

So I sent this to publish this morning but for some reason it didn’t so here it is (just a little late).

I figured since I’m off teaching middle school this morning I’d leaving you with a post I promised a few days ago.

On Wednesday night I made Tina’s Mac and Cheese with Cauliflower.

Since I didn’t have all the ingredients on hand I adapted it a little. You can check out her recipe here.

• 1 box of whole wheat macaroni
• 1 head of cauliflower
• 1 cup of breadcrumbs
• 3 tbsp of olive oil
• 1/2 cup of parsley
• 1 1/2 cups of cheddar cheese
• 1 1/2 cups of ricotta
• 1/2 cup of skim milk
• Salt and pepper

Heat oven to 400.

Cook pasta according to directions and add chopped cauliflower for the last few mins.

Mix together bread crumbs, 2 tbsp of olive oil, parsley (and salt and pepper)

After pasta is drained mix together pasta, cauliflower, ricotta, cheddar and milk. Pour into casserole dish and top with bread crumb mixture.

Cook in oven for 15 mins (or until golden brown).

I served it with a slice of whole wheat bread with earth balance.

Tina says it made 6 servings for her but I got at least 7 or 8 out of mine.  It was huge and I ate it all week (and on the weekend for lunch).

**A few notes:

• Next time I would like to try it with the sour cream – I didn’t have any on hand so I just used the ricotta I had in my fridge
• Also next time I would take Tina’s suggestion and use extra sharp cheddar. I just used regular cheddar cheese and it really wasn’t as cheesy as I would have liked.
• I’m not a big onion fan so I just skipped on those I don’t really think it made a difference.
• Loved the addition of cauliflower. It was awesome to know your getting some veggies even in this delicious comfort food.
• Finally, I used really finely cut up bread crumbs that I had. I would next time either follow the recipe and cut up bread in the food processor or use a little thicker ones next time. It was very bready and a little messy. Bread crumbs everywhere isn’t all that fun.

I’ll be back later today with the rest of my baking from the weekend and a recap of my day.

~ Katie :)

Baking Queen

So this is my second post on a weekend. Pretty good, right?

When I left you yesterday I was heading to do some baking and as the post’s title might indicate I became a baking queen.

Here’s my baking so far:

Chocolate Peanut Butter Balls

(adapted from allrecipes.com)

This is my husbands favourite treats. I always end up baking a few batches of this throughout the holidays. They are definitely high in calories but because they are so dense you really only need one to enjoy.

This is also a super simple recipe that is bake-free.

• 2 cups of peanut butter
• 1/2 cup butter
• 3 cups of icing sugar
• 2 cups of Rice Krispies Cereal
• 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips

In a bowl mix together icing sugar and rice krispies.

Then melt together peanut butter and butter and a sauce pan.

Pour the peanut butter mixture over the icing sugar mixture and combine.

Once combined roll into balls about 1 inch in size and place on baking sheet.

Put baking sheet in fridge for a few hours (or if your like me and trying to please the husband as quickly as possible – freezer for about an hour).

Once firm melt chocolate and and dip balls in chocolate. Place back in fridge (or freezer) and another couple of hours and serve.

This delicious little beasts are always a hit around the holidays. I took them to a Christmas party last year and everyone raved about them. They are super easy and they last forever. Just make sure to store them in the fridge (or you can freeze them) as they melt very quickly.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I took this recipe from Kelly at browniesandzucchini.com

I followed the recipe exactly but I’m just going to repost it here for convenience.

• 3/4 cup butter (softened)
• 1 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 organic sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Pre-heat oven to 375.

In a small bowl mix dry ingredients minus the chocolate chips (flour, baking soda and salt).

Mix together butter, brown sugar, vanilla and sugar until light and fluffy.

Then add eggs and beat.

Slowly add dry ingredients to wet ones then add in chocolate chips.

Add cookies in baking sheet and bake for 8-14 mins depending on size of cookies. My smaller ones took about 8-10 where my larger cookies took about 12-14 mins.

This recipe made so many cookies. I think in total it made about 20 large cookies and 20 smaller cookies.

They seemed to go on forever. I’ve already put most of them in the freezer for the holidays but not first without a taste test. They turned out perfect.

I’m now in the process of making a loaf of Chocolate Banana Gingerbread and then a batch of pumpkin granola bars.

I’ll give you a preview picture…

~ Katie :)

Finding a Routine

Hey bloggies!

I know I’ve been absent the past few days but for a good reason. I finally started working again. Just subbing but it’s a start. Remember when I posted a few days ago that my first day was on Friday – grade 5. Well just after that I got a job working Thursday as well so I’m two for two in the (can work:did work ratio).

But getting back into a routine as not been quite so easy. Before working I was cooking every night – new and exciting new recipes. Since working those two days I haven’t cooked either night.

Thursday – we had leftovers. Wednesday I made Tina’s recipe for mac and cheese with cauliflower – with a few minor changes (recipe to come soon so check back) so we had that with leftovers.  I also had it for lunch Thursday as well.

Friday – we ordered pizza. I gave into the husband and let him order a meat pizza. This is the first time I’ve eaten meat in about 3 /12 weeks. Honestly, I really don’t miss it and the pizza last night wasn’t really that great. Definitely going to stick to veggies from now on.

This morning I woke up and had one of the best days I’ve had in a while.

It started with a little cleaning and laundry. Once that was done I enjoyed breakfast with the hubby (scrambled eggs) and then spend the rest of the morning relaxing with a cup of tea, listening to Christmas music, catching up on my favourite blogs and enjoying the sunshine.

After lunch (more leftover mac and cheese) I headed to the grocery store to pick up a few things to do some baking later on (will share tomorrow).

Then came home and when for my first run in months.

I ran only about 2km but it really felt great. I miss exercising and am really looking forward to getting back into it. I feel that now that I’m working again it time to really create a routine for myself which will include exercising, eating right, blogging, having some me time and of course hanging out with the hubby.

Post run I was starving so I toasted 1/2 a whole wheat English muffin with pb and a few chocolate chips (the sugar is good for after a run – right? hehe).

Well I’m now off to do some baking (I’m getting a head start for the holidays – I plan on freezing most of it) and then cook some dinner. The husband wanted steak tonight so I’m making black bean and sweet potato burgers. I’ll let you know how they turned out.

~ Katie :)

And My First Day of Work Is…

Friday!

I finally got all my paper work done and I can officially start subbing

So excited. Teaching grade 5.

That is all.

~ Katie :)

Halloween, November and More

Happy November Everyone!

I first thought I’d start this post off with a few of my favourite things about November

• It’s definitely sweater weather (sometimes October can be warm)
• I can start listening to Christmas Music
• The last few weeks in the month the husband and I start some of my favourite Christmas traditions (will share more on that later when it gets closer)
• It’s time to bring out the hats, scarves and mitts (my favourites right now are my Vancouver 2010 mitts I got from Jaime last winter)
• Finally, although this isn’t every November I finally get to start working again this month. I go in tomorrow to start some paperwork and I’ll be working again in the next few weeks. YAY!

So yesterday was Halloween. If you follow me on twitter you might know that I’m not the biggest fan of Halloween. I really enjoy seeing all the little kids dressed up but I’ve never been a fan of dressing up myself since becoming an adult. I’m just never very good figuring out fun and exciting costumes. The last time I dressed up was probably about 9 years ago and I dressed up as a baby – boring right?

Anyways, since the husband knows I’m not a big fan of dressing up but I love holiday movies (Christmas but I love holiday movies of all types) we spent the day having a Halloween inspired movie marathon.

We watched:

The Rocky Horror Picture Show (Saturday Night)

(Source)

Beetlejuice (Sunday)

(Source)

Gremlins (Sunday)

(Source)

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (Sunday)

(Source)

We also make a quick trip up the see the niece and nephew all dress up. They were so cute. My niece (age 6) dressed up as a witch and my nephew (age 4) dressed up as a monkey. We had considered going out trick-or-treating with them but we figured 5 adults and 2 children we’re a bit much. Maybe next year :)

Finally I wanted to give you a quick update on how the vegetarian vs. non-vegetarian eating was going.

This weekend was great. We did some easy healthy meals that were friendly for both the husband and I. Friday night we did homemade pizzas on naan, Saturday we did fajitas (vegetarian for me, beef for the hubby) and Sunday we did quesadillas. Tonight I’m going to make some spaghetti squash with pasta sauce. I’ll probably add some veggies and edamame to mine and I’m making meatballs for the hubby. Overall, things have been going really well.

Well I haven’t been feeling all that well today (I hate having a sore throat) so I’m going to spend the rest of the afternoon curled up on the couch listening to some Christmas music and catching up on some of my favourite blogs.

Question(s) of the Day: What is your favourite thing about November? and How did you celebrate Halloween?

~ Katie :)