Kielbasa Mac and Cheese

Having the kids home last week for Spring Break was fantastic.  We caught up on some much needed sleep, played a lot of baseball and even did some fishing.

We didn't catch many fish but that might have been because Mia was swimming around the dock at the same time.

It was a great week with the kids but I didn't do a lot of cooking.  My husband was out of town and the kids and I ate up lots of leftovers and easy dinners.  Speaking of easy, if you've been waiting for me to blog a super simple recipe that ANYONE can make - this post is for you - a delicious one pot meal that comes together quickly.

 

Skillet Kielbasa Macaroni and Cheese
1 pound kielbasa sausage, sliced into 1/4" rounds
2 cups fresh bread crumbs
3 3/4 cups water
12 ounce can evaporated milk
1 teaspoon cornstarch
12 ounces cheddar cheese (3 cups)
8 ounces Monterey Jack Cheese (2 cups)

Brown kielbasa in skillet 6-8 minutes.  Transfer to a paper lined platter.

Add bread crumbs, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.  Stir until golden brown.  Transfer to a bowl.

Bring water, 1 1/4 cups evaporated milk and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a simmer in the skillet.  Add pasta and cook 8-10 minutes.  Whisk together remaining evaporated milk and cornstarch.  Stir into pasta and bring to simmer for 1 minute.










Remove from heat and stir in cheeses.  Top with bread crumbs.  Serve.

Spoon mixture into a serving dish and top with bread crumbs.

That's all there is to it.  This one pan mac and cheese was a huge hit in my house.   

Ciao!

Pecan Crusted Trout

18 days and counting until the pool opens - time to whip this body into shape!  (Just kidding)  I do feel like I need to incorporate more fish into our diet though.  I started our new fish eating trend a couple of weeks ago when I made this Pecan Crusted Trout.  Yum - why didn't we start eating more fish sooner?

Pecan Crusted Trout
2 Tablespoons flour
1/4 cup buttermilk
1/3 cup pecans, chopped
1/3 cup panko
4 trout filets
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 Tablespoon butter
1 Tablespoon oil

I bought a trout filet from the supermarket that looked surprisingly fresh for my neck of the woods.

Place flour in a shallow dish.  Place buttermilk in a shallow dish.  Combine pecans and panko in a shallow dish.






Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper.  Dredge each filet in flour.

Dip in buttermilk.

Dip in panko mixture.







Melt butter and oil in skillet.  Add filets, crust-side down.  Cook 3 minutes on each side. 

Serve with lemon wedges.

We ate this trout for lunch on a Saturday afternoon - it was that easy.  This recipe would work with just about any fish.   Give it a try and I might just see you at the pool soon.

Ciao!

Turkey Burgers

 

I admit that I have summer on the brain.  The kids have just a couple more weeks of school and then it's officially summer vacation for this family.  I've already gotten into summer cooking mode - I'm craving burgers and salads.  My favorite burgers? -  turkey burgers.

Grilled Basil Turkey Burgers
1 egg                                         1 garlic clove
1/3 cup onion                            salt and pepper
¼ cup Parmesan cheese            1 pound ground turkey
fresh basil                                  1/8 cup ketchup

Combine all ingredients in mixing bowl.

I had my favorite"meat mixer" combine all of the ingredients together by hand.






 
Shape into a loaf.

Divide loaf into 6 equal pieces.







Shape into patties.  Place patties on waxed paper and refrigerate 4 hours.

Grill 10 minutes on each side.

Remove from grill and place on paper towel lined platter.

While the patties drain, prepare the topping for the burgers.  (I like my burger to look more like a salad than a burger.)  I chose avocado, tomato and lettuce.

Serve the turkey burgers on wheat buns for a healthy "summertime" dinner.

Yum.  Now I'm even more ready for summer vacation.  Let the countdown begin.

Ciao!