Posts Tagged ‘Cheese Sauce’
15 Items That Could be Breaking your Food Budget
Rumor has it that an inflationary period is headed our way, sometime in 2011. That means higher prices on food and other necessary items. Early planning could smooth out some of the ripples, like cooking more from scratch, eating at home and buying fewer pre-packaged items.
Many food items that have become commonplace in our society claim convenience and portability as their selling point; but, what manufacturers don’t want you to know is that convenience is costing you big bucks. Not to mention the waste (in packaging) it produces. Check out our list of 15 commonly purchased items that could be dipping into your wallet and learn how you can make homemade substitutes for pennies on the dollar.
Not only will the homemade versions save you money they will taste better too, because they can be made with fresh organic ingredients, either homegrown or purchased from a Farmers’ Market.
1. Frozen ‘Gourmet’ vegetables.
Oh sure, it may be easier to buy a package of frozen corn in butter or broccoli in a cheese sauce, but why would you when you can make your own? Just cook the corn, add a tablespoon or so of butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. The same goes for broccoli. Simply steam the florets, and while steaming, melt some butter, stir in flour, warm the milk, add cheese, salt and pepper to taste and there you have it – veggies everyone will devour.
2. Heat and Eat Sandwiches.
When you buy a pre-made sandwich, what you are really paying for is the elaborate packaging — plus a whole lot of salt, fat, and unnecessary additives. For the average cost of one of these babies ($2.50 to $3.00 per sandwich), you could make a bigger, better, and more nutritious version yourself.
3. Premium Frozen Fruit Bars.
At nearly $5 per box, frozen ‘all fruit’ or ‘fruit and juice’ bars may be low in calories, but they are certainly are not low in price. Using simple equipment like a blender, plastic reusable ice-pop molds (on sale at discount stores for about 99 cents each), or small paper cups and pop sticks or wooden skewers, you can make your own at home and get the flavors your family likes best.
Check out our In The Kitchen section for articles on making your own frozen treats. Read the rest of the story »
Grown-Up Mac & Cheese
One of my favorite comfort foods when I was growing up was homemade mac & cheese. As I got older it seemed like too childish a dish for a mature adult, but I didn’t want to give it up. Today, my mac & cheese has a more grown-up twist, with fancy cheeses, crispy pancetta and fresh peas. It’s just what the grown-up kid in me needs after a long hard day… the ultimate comfort food.
8 Tbsp Unsalted butter (1 stick)
6 Slices Good white bread, crusts removed, torn into ¼ to 1/2-inch pieces
5-1/2 Cups Milk
½ Cup All-purpose flour
2 Tsp Salt
¼ Tsp Nutmeg
¼ Tsp Black Pepper
4-1/2 Cups Grated Sharp White Cheddar Cheese (about 18 ounces)
2 Cups Grated Gruyere cheese (about 8 ounces) or 1-1/4 cups grated Pecorino Romano cheese
6 slices Pancetta bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
½ Cup Peas, fresh or frozen (thawed)
1 Pound Elbow Macaroni
1.) Preheat oven to 375. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish and set aside. Place bread in a bowl. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter and pour over the bread, toss. Set aside.
2.) Cook pancetta until crispy. Drain, crumble and set aside.
3.) Warm milk in a saucepan. Melt remaining butter in a deep skillet. When butter bubbles add flour. Cook whisking constantly for 1 minute.
4.) While whisking add hot milk a little at a time to keep things smooth. Continue cooking and whisking until mixture bubbles and thickens, about 8 to 12 minutes.
5.) Remove pan from heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, pepper, 3 cups cheddar cheese and 1-1/2 cups Gruyere cheese (or 1 cup Pecorino Romano); set aside cheese sauce.
6.) Cook macaroni in a large pot of salted water until the outside is cooked but the inside is slightly underdone, about 2 to 3 minutes. Drain macaroni in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain well. Stir the macaroni into the cheese sauce.
7.) Stir in pancetta and peas.
8.) Pour mixture into prepared dish. Sprinkle with remaining cheeses and top with bread crumbs. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.
9.) Cook on a wire rack for 5 minutes before serving.
This recipe makes enough for 12 people. If you want to divide it in half be sure to use a smaller casserole dish.
When served with a fresh green salad it makes the perfect grown-up meal.
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