OK, so let's get this perfectly clear. I've been a plum lazy cook during the past couple of weeks that my alter ego's been away. Thank goodness it is about to change since he'll be home about midnight tonight but as my second last hurrah I whipped up a cheater bowl of mac and cheese for dinner last night. Hey a girl's gotta' eat somethin'.
There's no reason to purchase one of those ready made containers with heaven knows what's in it when in exactly 15 minutes flat, you can whip up your own stove top version especially when you've a brick of processed cheese in the refrigerator. I mean it's not rocket science but simply elbow macaroni cooked until al dente' then drained and loaded up with said cheese, dijon mustard, and a touch of half and half.
Now there was a time I would have been content with just that, along with a quart of ketchup but the problem is I guess I've been with the Big Guy just long enough to crave some meat with my pasta, so I shredded the rest of a country style pork rib from the other day and threw it into a little gratin dish along with the cheesy mac, topped it with a bit of grated cheese and finished it under the broiler.
I know for a fact this isn't going to win me any gourmet food prizes but let me tell you it wasn't bad. In fact I may just be surprising the Big Guy with the same casserole next time we have a load of leftover pulled pork. Of course with him in mind I'll add a little barbecue sauce to the mix, along with some pickled jalapeno peppers because we all know he loves the things - oh and I'll likely ramp up the cheese a bit more to make for a creamier pasta. What I'm really trying to say in a round about way is that with a little work, it could be a lot better so I'll post a recipe when I'm happier with the results.
As for today, well obviously the party's over. I won't be lying in bed with the pooches, a purring wannabe feral feline, coffee and a good book till 7 bells or so every morning. It'll be back to the salt mines - up at 5, packing you know who's lunch, cooking him a hot breakfast and shoving him out the door by 6:20. I absolutely cannot wait. Life's the pits without my Big Guy!
A year ago - Mexican Hot Chocolate
I know how you feel without your big guy! There is nothing wrong with pulling something together in a pinch and mac and cheese always takes the edge off of the alone time.
Posted by: Lorraine | 12/15/2011 at 07:22 AM
You're right Lorraine. Calories = comfort. LOL
Posted by: June | 12/15/2011 at 07:43 AM
Comfort in a casserole! And I see you have already perfected a different version in your head for the big guy - absence does make the heart grow fonder!!!!!
Posted by: Lea | 12/21/2011 at 06:53 AM
Lea - Can't resist having pasta when my guy's away and to heck with the absence bit. I couldn't love him more than I already do! Is that too much information? Ha.
Posted by: June | 12/21/2011 at 02:15 PM