best. mac&cheese. ever.

For those of you who are not familiar our love of great food, I would like to share a little story....
Last September, my BFF had moved to California and D and I had offered to drive his car from Chicago to Palm Springs. This was a road trip I had always wanted to take -- cruising along Route 66. This was a pretty easy decision to make, and D quickly got to work mapping out DDD locations along our route. You may remember a couple DDD locations I blogged about last November.

Well on this trip to Cali, I can say, without hesitation, that we had some of the best meals of our life during that week. Over 7 days we only ate fast food once... and that just was because there was little choice when leaving Grand Canyon. If the first restaurant being a prelude of what was to come, we knew we made some stellar choices.



Our first overnight stop was in St. Louis, and our first DDD stop was at Sweetie Pies. They boast having St. Louis' Best Soul Food, and I don't doubt it. The fried chicken, the breaded catfish, the yams... all of it delicious. But the Macaroni & Cheese. Oh my that Mac&Cheese. D was shocked when I said it rivaled that of Paula's Deen's from Lady & Son's.



Never did I think I would be able to make it home! But how lucky was I to find this article and recipe! Now if you are ever in "The Lou" (as a friend calls St. Louis), you must stop for a bite. But in the meantime, you can make your own bit of heaven at home.

Sweetie Pie's Macaroni & Cheese

1 pound elbow macaroni pasta
1 cup whole milk
(2) two 12-ounce cans evaporated milk
3 eggs
2 sticks butter, cut into small pieces
1/2 pound Colby cheese, shredded
1/2 pound Monterrey Jack cheese, shredded
1/2 pound sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 pound Velveeta cheese, cut into small chunks
Salt, to taste
1 tablespoon white pepper
1 tablespoon sugar
1 cup shredded American or mild Cheddar cheese

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and transfer the pasta to a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the whole milk, evaporated milk and eggs. Mix with a fork until thoroughly combined.
• Add the butter and Colby, Monterrey Jack, sharp Cheddar and Velveeta cheeses to the pasta.
• Pour the milk and egg mixture over the pasta. Season with salt, pepper and sugar and toss.
• Sprinkle the top of the pasta with the remaining cup of American or Cheddar cheese.
• Bake for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the top is lightly browned.

As you can see by the photo, my 9x13" pans just weren't big enough for this beast of a meal, so I had to resort to my 8-qt Le Cruset. If you don't have a Le Cruset, get one. They are so versatile and we are in love with ours.

friday's finds

I think I am going to start posting my weekly finds every Friday. I really shop throughout the week, so rather than having a couple mentioned here and there, I have decided to make it a weekly post.

Last week I found a bench from my fave thrift store that I am planning to paint and recover. Dig that gold chenille! Unfortunately, the fabric store selection around here is pretty poor. It basically consists of Banner Crafts and WalMart. Blah. So, I am hoping to score something cute in our travels this weekend. I am looking for a colorful damask and will then paint it either antique white, or black. The paint will all depend on the fabric.


I also came across this gem of a dresser at another thrift store. It was more than I would have liked to have spent (only $10 more), but I realized that no where else will I find an antique dresser and mirror (on casters no less!) for that low of a price... so I had to get it. I even got the impressed smile and nod from D once he had seen it.



With Spring in the air (it is double digit temps after all!), I have been thinking ahead to fresh decorating. I was pretty excited to find all these things for under $15!


How great is this wreath?! It just screams fresh air!


I am looking forward to finding the perfect home for everything else. I can already see that milk glass bowl filled with lemons and limes!


Next week I will be in Chicago with my BFF, Scott. He is already scoping out places for us to hit up. I can't wait!

meat (loaf) & (crushed) potatoes

For the last couple weeks, D has been asking me to make a meatloaf for dinner. Today, I finally did. It's funny, I had not ever made one until last October, and now it's been 3 times in under 4 months. I had bookmarked this potato recipe from Pioneer Woman some time ago, so I thought it was the perfect compliment to the meatloaf.
If you have not tried it yet, here is the post of the meatloaf recipe. I highly recommend it.

Following is my variation of the Pioneer Woman Crash Potatoes.

Crushed Potatoes (for 2)

6 whole New Potatoes
Olive Oil
Kosher Salt To Taste
Black Pepper To Taste
Other Herbs Of Choice To Taste (I used Thyme)

• Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add potatoes and cook until they are fork-tender.
• On a sheet pan, generously drizzle olive oil. Place boiled potatoes on the cookie sheet, leaving at least an inch between each potato.
• With a potato masher, gently press down each potato until it slightly mashes, rotate the potato masher 90 degrees and mash again. Brush the tops of each crushed potato generously with more olive oil.
• Sprinkle potatoes with kosher salt, fresh ground black pepper and whatever herb you would like (I used thyme and rosemary.)
• Bake in a 450 degree oven for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
  

The only problem with this recipe, is that there was not enough! DEE-lish!

five, five dollar, five dollar mirror

D and I went to IL this weekend so he could repair mom's PC. AT&T Tech Support was not able to help her (in spite of the outrageous fee they charged), so she needed to bring in the big guns... my hubs.

With him spending what ended being the next 24 hours on the computer, mom and I went out for a little resale and thrift store shopping. At the first store, I found my biggest score of the day....
I had been wanting a large floor mirror and were just about to leave when I spotted one stacked up behind some others in a corner. We dug it out and noticed how banged up it was. On the bottom was a big split in the wood; but I was planning to paint it black anyway, so I could deal with the nicks. Now I needed a price. I flagged down an employee who had to check. I was thrilled when he returned to tell me all mirrors were $5. SOLD!

The color was actual a nice rich mahogany, but with all the damage I was not about to put that much work in to keeping it's color. Black paint, here we come!





A little wood filler, some primer, a can of black paint and we have....


After spending some time in the garage on the mirror, I came in and spotted these little stinkers out the back window. You can't really tell in the picture, but I am thinking they do this often as they were some chubby little squirrels.

crack-in-a-pot buffalo chicken dip

Some time ago, I said I was going to try to make something in the crock-pot at least once a week. Well, time has really gotten away from me and last night I finally pulled out one my three (yes three) slow-cookers . We had a small group to watch the playoff games at our house and decided to make Buffalo Chicken Dip.

I first had this about a year ago, and was so in love with it that I made it the following weekend. If have ever eaten this before, you know its like crack in a pot. For those of you have not ever made it, you should! Now.

Buffalo Chicken Dip

2 (10-oz) cans chunk chicken, drained (or leftover rotisserie/shredded chicken)
3/4 cup pepper sauce (such as Frank's Red Hot®)
2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese, softened
1 cup Ranch dressing or blue cheese (I actually use half of each)
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1 bag Fritos
1 bunch celery, cleaned and cut into large pieces
1 (8 ounce) box chicken-flavored crackers

• Heat chicken and hot sauce in skillet over medium heat.
  
• Stir in cream cheese and dressing(s) until well blended and warm.
  
• Transfer the mixture to a slow cooker and top with cheddar.
  
• Keep warm on low setting and serve with chips, crackers and/or celery. We love it most with Fritos.

On another note, I cannot wait to share my finds from this weekend. I would like to be able to share the after photos, rather than just all before shots.

fabulous finds

I mentioned earlier in the week about the little round end table I found at an estate sale to go between my two new chairs. At the same Estate Sale, I had spotted at little french provincial dresser, but didn't buy it. After getting home, I could not stop thinking about it's potential. I called D and sent him a photo to get his opinion. He agreed about how cute it is and asked where I would put it. I had a few ideas that he loved too. With a green light like that, I hopped back in the car and headed over in the hopes it was still there. Lucky for me, it was!





I had great expectations to get them completed this week, but my body had other plans. As it turns out, I have a viral infection in one of my lungs and won't be doing any painting for a few days. In spite of my illness, I was able to venture out to Target (for a prescription) and stop off at Michael's to check out the 80% of Holiday items.

I found some gorgeous wrapping paper at Target for only $.62 per roll. I love the designs and that they can be used for a variety of occasions - birthday, wedding, Christmas, etc.


At Michael's, I stumbled upon some giant faux poinsettias. The arrangements were a bit too much for my taste, but the urn planters they were in are exactly what I had been looking for... and only $16!


I have already removed the silk flowers and greens, and cannot wait to use the urns on the front porch.


I almost forgot! At another Estate Sale last week I found this basket of vintage ornaments. Now if I could just find a large feather tree to display my favorites on next year...

get your groupon

If you have not already signed up for Groupon, check it out here.

What is Groupon?

Each day, Groupon features an unbeatable deal on the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in your city. By promising businesses a minimum number of customers, we get discounts you won't find anywhere else. We call it "collective buying power!"

"new" table and chairs

I was recently inspired by this photo and decided that a coffee table like that is perfect for our in-progress living room.


So on the hunt I went searching for something on Craig's List that I could make my own. I found this one that had been posted for several weeks and was able to score quite a deal in getting it for $25.


It is actually a dining table that we cut down to coffee table height. A little work with the belt sander, a couple cans of spray primer, some paint color I whipped up from a variety of white oops paints I already had, and two days later we have this. It's perfect for sitting around to play games!


Believe it or not, those cute white chairs behind the table had been in my parents' basement the last 30 years, and used to look like this...


A few weeks at the upholsterer, combined with several yards of fabric and we have the following.


The photos behind the chairs are new too. We purchased the square frames from Kohl's at their usual 50% off. We also had an additional 30% off while earning Kohl's cash, which made them a steal. We tossed out the mats that were with them and D cut our own. The photos themselves are all pictures we have taken on our various travels. We had planned to only have six pictures, but have since decided to add two more and are just waiting for them to be finished. The space is already there and ready for them to be hung.

While at an Estate Sale Friday, I found the perfect little round table to go between the chairs. It needs a little work and I am hoping to have it done in the next couple days.

baked mac & cheese

I had been craving some homemade mac and cheese for the last few days. Not sure if I am calcium deficient, or because a friend asked me for a recipe, but either way, I have not been able to stop thinking about it for the last week. I went on a hunt for a great recipe, and nothing I found really impressed me. Then I heard that the Pioneer Woman version of Baked Mac & Cheese was fantastic. So I had to try it. I think the thing I liked most about it is the freedom to use whatever kind(s) of cheese you want. I would have love to have used Gruyere, but I had several cheeses in the house already... so I went with that.

Here is my adapted version....
Baked Mac & Cheese

1 lb pasta (elbow mac, rotini, farfalle, etc)

1/4 cup butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2-1/2 cups whole milk

2 tsp dry mustard, heaping

1 egg, beaten

1/2 lb + 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 lb + 1/2 cup co-jack cheese
2 tbsp Gorgonzola
1/4 cup Parmesan
3/4 tsp Kosher salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)

1/4 tsp dried thyme (optional)
1/4 tsp celery salt (optional)

1/3 cup panko bread crumbs

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  
• Boil salted water and cook pasta to al dente; do not overcook. Drain and rinse.
• In a small bowl, beat egg; set aside
• In a large pot, melt butter and sprinkle in flour. Whisk together over medium-low heat. Cook mixture for five minutes, whisking constantly. Don’t let it burn.
• In pot, add milk and mustard; whisk until smooth. Cook for 3-5 minutes until very thick. Reduce heat to low.
• Pour 1/4 of the milk mixture of the into bowl with beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking eggs. Whisk together till smooth.
• Pour egg mixture into sauce, whisking constantly. Stir until smooth.
• Add in cheese, salt, pepper and other spices (if desired).
• Taste sauce and add more salt or spices as needed.
• As cooked pasta to pan and stir until coated with cheese mixture.
• Pour into a greased baking dish (9x13). Sprinkle panko bread crumbs and top with extra 1 cup of remaining cheese(s).
• Place in oven and for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.

Chef's Notes:
*I actually used whole-wheat pasta. I figured if it was going to be loaded with the cheese, the pasta flavor would not matter too much.
*I also prepared mine the day before. Just be sure to add the panko bread crumbs shortly before putting in the oven.



I have another recipe that I had completely forgotten about until D mentioned it today. I will have to make that in the next month or so. Right now I am on cheese and pasta overload as we made Manicotti and had that two nights this week.

deals of the day

I ventured out this morning with the plan to hit a few thrift stores that I have not been to before. I was mostly looking to find some interesting side/end tables for our nearly complete living room. I was not lucky enough to find any furniture, but I did manage to score a few decorative pieces.

I had been thinking about the "Pocketwatch Clock" from Pottery Barn, but just could not bring myself to spend $59 on a clock.



So, I was thrilled to find this cutie to go on the new mantle of our soon-to-be painted fireplace... and for under $3!


I have also been scouring eBay and Craigs List to try to find a pewter sugar and creamer. I love the look of the silver, but hate having to clean it and decided pewter is the perfect solution. I could hardly believe my eyes when I spotted this little set for only $2 at my fave thrift store.


While on my way to one of the new-to-me thrift stores, I was passing by a Hobby Lobby and thought I would drop in. Hobby Lobby just might be my undoing. I have really never shopped at one before... mostly because I had always thought it was the same as Michael's. Being that the nearest Hobby Lobby is 30 mins away, and that I am not a crafty-type, there was really no need for me to go, right? Wrong! Upon entering I spotted the large volume of 90% Holiday merch. There was nothing I wanted/needed, but I was pretty impressed that it was not just junk leftover.

While walking through the aisles, there was display after display of 66% off items. Now, I am not sure if it is just like Michael's, or Kohl's, where they mark-up the original price becuase it will always be on sale, or not. But either way, it was some good pricing if you ask me. I found a mercury glass candle holder for $4.76, two white unscented (yay!) pillar candles for $1.36 each, and mercury glass ornament for $3. I also found some really black and white damask pillows, but I have since decided they don't work in the room after all. I guess I will just have to go back! Until then....


As a final stop, I decided to drop in to Cost Plus World Market. World Market is another store I don't really shop often, but since I was already there, and my BFF told me they had all their Holiday for 90% off, I decided I should to check it out. I bought a couple gingerbread houses for next year -- we don't eat them anyway, so it will be good enough to put together. Since I could not decide which one to get, I got both. I also found some ribbon candy that I will use to decorate next year, and a couple packs of gift tags. Grand total: $3.22 (including tax!)

happy new year

Its 3 days in to the New Year and I thought I would share our exciting New Year's Eve.

We didn't really want to go out, but I sure didn't have any interest in staying home either. Since we had some reupholstered chairs to pick-up in Chicagoland, we decided to get a hotel room and throw our own 2-person party. Using points, we booked a free suite at the Sheraton near my parent's house.




The only two things the hotel had to have was a pool and hot tub, and a Lou Malanti's nearby. We arrived around 5:00pm, checked in and looked around the hotel. Then we ordered one or two of our must haves whenever we are in Chicagoland... a buttercrust Lou's pizza. (just looking at the picture makes me want to eat one now)


Then we headed for little break in the hot tub. Unfortunately the pool area was overrun by kids and hardly tranquil. After a little time in the steam we went back to our room, played some games and watched TV, flipping between Ryan Seacrest and Carson Daly. FYI...Sequence, Phase 10 and Monopoly Draw are all great games for two people. We made it to just after midnight and then hit the hay. The best part was no computer to distract us. It was delightful!

In the morning we made a few shopping stops...including a trip to the retail store of Legoland. D just had to go. I was delightfully surprised at how few people were out on New Year's Day. The roads near Woodfield were almost abandoned and parking was a snap! Even our visit to Ikea was a breeze.

We picked up one of our chairs (pics to come) as only one will fit in our car at time; then we headed back home mid-afternoon. But not before a stop at our other dining must-have that WI is lacking...Portillos. mmmmm mmmmm


We completed our holiday weekend with 90-minute massages on Saturday. What else can I ask for?