Homemade Mac and Cheese

When was the last time you looked at the ingredient list on one of those blue boxes of Mac n Cheese? Next time you are at the grocery store, take a few minutes to see if there is anything in the list that you recognize. Check out this photo of the nutrition facts courtesy of Change.org:

"This product may have adverse effect on activity and attention in children"... Hmmm. Not only that, but why is it necessary to add food dyes? Why have we bought into the lie that cheese is yellow?  I won't even start on the ingredients in that list that I can't pronounce or the use of genetically modified wheat.

Years ago, we stopped purchasing the store bought Mac n cheese. Occasionally, we will keep Annie's in the pantry for a convenient meal, but honestly, the recipe for home made Mac n cheese I am about to share with you takes about 15-20 minutes to make from start to finish. That is pretty convenient for a meal that every one in my family devours and loves and that is real food!

Homemade Mac n Cheese

What you need:

8 oz bacon (we use Applegate Farms or a local bacon from Urban Acres)

1 bunch green onions

2 tbsp butter

1 tbsp minced garlic

1 1/2 cups milk (raw milk if available)

8 oz cheese (we use mozzarella - an easy cheese to find locally)

12-16 oz pasta of your choice

Here's how you do it:

1.  Cook pasta according to instructions.

2. Meanwhile, cook bacon until slightly crispy in a large skillet.

3. Set bacon aside to drain and dispose of bacon grease (or set aside to use later).

4. Melt butter in the same skillet that you used to cook the bacon. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, stirring consistently so that the garlic does not burn. This only takes about 1 minute.

5. Add the milk, stir and heat until warm.  Do not boil.

6. Add the cheese to the milk and stir constantly until the cheese is melted.  This is the hardest part because it requires a little patience and some attention.  Add more milk if you think the mixture is too thick.

7. Add the bacon and green onions and stir.

8. Add the pasta and stir until well combined.

The possibilities of this dish are endless. Try various mix ins instead of bacon and green onion, experiment with various cheese combinations, add your favorite veggies and some left over chicken.... So many delicious possibilities! 

Enjoy!

The Best Pumpkin Pie You Will Ever Eat

Ok, I know Thanksgiving was last week, but people, this recipe needs to be shared!!  Besides, surely you will have more holiday gatherings in the coming weeks - you should definitely make this recipe!

The best ever Pumpkin Pie using Young Living Essential Oils

I adapted my recipe using a Paula Deen recipe - she knows her desserts, right?  Here's what you do:

Ingredients

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese

1 can of pumpkin

1 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg plus 2 egg yolks

1 cup half-and-half or whipping cream (I used whipping cream)
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) melted butter
2 drops Young Living Cinnamon Bark oil

2 drops Young Living Clove oil

2 drops Young Living Nutmeg oil
1 piece pre-made pie dough
Whipped cream, for topping

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place 1 piece of pre-made pie dough down into a (9-inch) pie pan and press down along the bottom and all sides. Pinch and crimp the edges together to make a pretty pattern. Prick the bottom and the sides with a fork and place in the oven until slightly golden brown.  Feel free to use pie weights if you are fancy, haha.

For the filling, in a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer. Add the pumpkin and beat until combined. Add the sugar and salt, and beat until combined. Add the eggs mixed with the yolks, half-and-half, and melted butter, and beat until combined. Finally, add the vanilla, and Essential Oils and mix until combined.

Pour the filling into the warm prepared pie crust and bake for 50 minutes, or until the center is set. Place the pie on a wire rack and cool to room temperature. Cut into slices and top each piece with a generous amount of whipped cream.

Hey Y'all, try this pie!!  (said in my very best southern drawl)  You will not regret it!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Is it starting to get chilly where you live?  Here in Texas, we had a wonderfully cool weekend that has everyone wearing sweaters and dreaming of fireplaces, even though it is supposed to get up to 83 degrees today.

I have been dreaming of my favorite things about fall, and one of my favorite things is warm beverages.  My husband loves the hot chocolate that I make, and I thought I could share my recipe with you!

What you will need:

2 Tbsp Cocoa Powder
2 Tbsp Sugar
1 tsp Real vanilla
1 cup raw milk
1 drop Young Living Peppermint Oil
Whipped Cream to Top

How to make it:

Heat the milk in a small saucepan on the stove.  Do not bring to a boil.  In a small bowl, combine the cocoa and sugar and stir into the hot milk.  Add vanilla and Young Living Peppermint Oil.  Top with Whipped Cream and Enjoy!

Want to make your own whipped cream?

You will need:

1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 Tbsp sugar (or more to taste)

How to make it:

In a cold glass or metal bowl, add whipping cream and begin to whip using a hand mixer - start slow and as it begins to form a creamy texture, increase the speed.  Slowly beat in the sugar until your whipped cream feels smooth between your fingers and forms soft peaks.  Store extra in the refrigerator.



Want to know how to purchase your own oils?  Check out my informational page here!