Food and Drink
Easy Pumpkin Mac and Cheese recipe
Pumpkin puree makes a velvety, rich mac and cheese. Use pure pumpkin puree for this, not the can labelled “pumpkin pie mix” since that has spices added. Homemade pumpkin puree is an excellent option, as well. Or swap pumpkin for another squash such as butternut squash. If you are able, buy a block of cheese, and then coarsely grate it instead of buying pre-shredded cheese. In our experience, home-grated cheese melts better and becomes more creamy than grated cheese out of a bag.
INGREDIENTS:
– 1 pound pasta, such as farfalle, macaroni or shells
– Salt, as needed
– 4 tablespoons (55 grams) unsalted butter
– 1/4 cup (30 grams) all-purpose flour
– 2 cups (470 ml) milk, whole or 2% are best
– 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
– 1/4 teaspoon finely grated nutmeg
– 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
– 1 cup (230 grams) pure pumpkin puree, see our homemade pumpkin puree recipe
– 8 ounces extra-sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely grated (about 2 1/2 cups)
DIRECTIONS
PREPARE SAUCE
* Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
* Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta as directed on the package. (Usually between 7 and 10 minutes). Drain.
* Melt butter in a large, high-sided pan over medium heat. When the butter begins to bubble, add the flour. Cook, whisking constantly 2 to 3 minutes until the butter smells fragrant and nutty — the colour of the butter-flour mixture will turn light brown.
* While whisking, slowly pour in the milk. Continue to cook, whisking constantly until the sauce bubbles and thickens. Season the sauce with a 1/2 teaspoon of salt, pepper, nutmeg, and mustard. Add the pumpkin puree and three-quarters of the grated cheese. Stir until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. Taste the sauce for seasoning and adjust with more salt or pepper.
TO FINISH
Mix the cooked pasta into the sauce until well coated then spoon into the prepared baking dish, top with remaining cheese.
Bake the macaroni and cheese, uncovered, until golden brown on top, about 25 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.
source – cooking365coza
Roast chicken noodle soup recipe. Have dinner on the table in a flash with this 5-ingredient chicken and noodle soup.
Ingredients (6)
– 1 tbsp olive oil
– 1kg Soup Starter Pack, cut into 2cm pieces
– 2 Massel 7’s Stock Cubes Chicken Style
– 250g Coles Australian Spaghetti No.1, broken into 5cm pieces
– 1/2 (about 500g) Hot Roast Chicken, skin and bones removed, meat shredded
– 6 cups (1.5L) water
Method
Step 1
Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add vegetables and cook for 2-3 mins until lightly browned.
Step 2
Add stock cubes and 6 cups (1.5L) water. Stir in pasta. Bring to the boil.
Step 3
Simmer for 10 mins or until vegetables are tender and pasta is al dente. Add the chicken. Simmer until the chicken is heated through. Season.
source – BBC
20-minute healthy bolognese recipe. Lentils, cherry tomatoes and basil provide a rich colour and flavour for this bright, modern take on beef bolognese that the family will love. The best part is that it’ll be ready in just 20 minutes.
Ingredients (12)
– 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
– 500g beef mince
– 1/3 cup (95g) tomato paste
– 4 garlic cloves, finely grated
– 1/4 cup (75g) caramelised onion jam
– 2 tbsp soy sauce
– 400g can lentils, rinsed, drained
– 375g instant lasagne sheets
– 500g mixed cherry tomatoes, halved
– Pinch of Oregano Leaves
– Basil leaves, to serve
– Grated parmesan, to serve
Method
Step 1
Heat the 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large pan over high heat. Cook 500g beef mince, stirring, for 3 minutes or until browned. Add 1/3 cup (95g) tomato paste and 4 garlic cloves, finely grated, and cook for 2 minutes, then add 1/4 cup (75g) caramelised onion jam, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 400g can lentils, rinsed, drained and 1 cup (250ml) water. Reduce heat to medium. Season with black pepper. Cook for 12 minutes or until slightly reduced. Remove from heat.
Step 2
Meanwhile, cook 375g instant lasagne sheets in a pan of boiling salted water according to packet instructions until al dente. Drain.
Step 3
Top lasagne sheets with bolognese, 500g mixed cherry tomatoes, halved, Pinch of Oregano Leaves, Basil leaves, to serve and Grated parmesan, to serve to serve.
source – tastecom
Lemon meringue scones recipe. Swap your regular scones for something a bit different: this easy, retro recipe inspired by lemon meringue pie.
Ingredients (10)
– 400g (2 2/3 cups) self-raising flour, plus extra, to dust
– 100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar
– 60g butter, chilled, chopped
– 1 tbsp finely grated lemon rind
– 250ml (1 cup) lemonade
– 80ml (1/3 cup) fresh lemon juice
– 25g bought mini meringues, finely crushed
– 160ml (2/3 cup) thickened cream, whipped
– 130g (1/2 cup) bought lemon curd
– Icing sugar, to dust
Method
Step 1
Preheat oven to 220C/200C fan forced. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Sift the 400g (2 2/3 cups) self-raising flour, plus extra, to dust into a large bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the 100g (1/2 cup) caster sugar. Use your fingertips to rub the 60g butter, chilled, chopped into the mixture until it resembles fine crumbs. Stir in the 1 tbsp finely grated lemon rind. Make a well in the centre.
Step 2
Pour the 250ml (1 cup) lemonade into the well. Use a flat-bladed knife in a cutting motion to mix until evenly incorporated and the mixture just begins to hold together. Knead on a lightly floured surface until just smooth. Shape dough into a 2cm-thick disc. Use a round 6cm-diameter pastry cutter dipped in extra flour to cut 12 rounds from the dough, re-shaping offcuts as needed. Place the scones, slightly apart, on the prepared tray. Bake for 17 minutes or until golden and scones sound hollow when tapped on top.
Step 3
Meanwhile, place the 80ml (1/3 cup) fresh lemon juice and remaining sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil over high heat. Boil for 3-4 minutes or until thickens slightly. Remove from heat.
Step 4
Use a serrated knife to slice the warm scones in half horizontally. Brush the tops of the scones with the syrup then sprinkle with 25g bought mini meringues, finely crushed. Top the scone bases with 160ml (2/3 cup) thickened cream, whipped and 130g (1/2 cup) bought lemon curd then sandwich with the scone tops. Serve dusted with Icing sugar, to dust.
source – tastecom