Sometimes Simple, Sometimes Grand, Always Declicious
Sweaters; leaves of gold, red and orange; pungently sweet spices; the return of my skinny jeans (ok, maybe not this year but dang it, every year thereafter); Halloween; Thanksgiving.
These are just a few of the reasons I relish the return of the fall season. Even hot weather fans can’t deny the magic in that first cool day when the air conditioners abruptly turn off and the windows subsequently fly open in order to allow the crisp autumn breeze to gratefully flow in.
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I recently discovered that the authentic method for making fettuccine alfredo comes from the use of four main ingredients: butter, cream, Parmesan cheese and pasta water. You simply add some of the leftover pasta water to a heated butter/cream mixture, let it cook down and thicken, and finish with some fresh Parmesan cheese. Seriously simple.
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I’ve noticed a lot of palate pleasing macaroni and cheese recipes floating around the blogosphere in recent weeks and it makes me happy. Really happy. And hungry. Of all the mood warming meals that are to be had in my food infused world, noodles and cheese come pretty darn close to the top of the list. Here’s my take on a jazzed up version of mac and cheese. I added a little chicken and green chiles to the mix, just because. My husband is always grateful for the meat addition so he considered this dish a keeper. Be sure to add the fresh tomato garnish at the end. The bright, fresh bite of the fruit pairs superbly with the hearty flavor and texture of the mac and cheese.
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Having resided in Texas for a solid six years of my adult life, it should come as no surprise when I reiterate the absolute weakness I have for authentic Mexican flavors. Cilantro, beans, cumin, you name it. It doesn’t matter how you combine them, if they’re in the same dish all dancing together in perfect harmony, life is most certainly good. Or perhaps I should say bueno.
This dish was first born of a trip I made to the local farmers market to pick up a rack of pork ribs for the upcoming evening. I snagged the ribs but couldn’t walk away without snatching up a packet of chorizo to go with it. Never mind that I had absolutely no clue what to do with said chorizo nor did I come to the market with the intention of buying it. It looked good, hunger called, so I bought it. I also left with a bonus loaf of fresh bread and a couple heirloom tomato plants. The farmers market just loves people like me.
Fast forward a couple weeks. It’s 4:45pm and dinner is no longer calling to me, it’s yelling directly in my ear to get it on the table – soon. I see the chorizo in the back of the freezer and the light bulb goes on. I’ll make a chicken Parmesan inspired Mexican dish because, really… why not? A little bit of this, a handful of that, bada bing, bada boom – dinner is served.
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I just sent my middle child, Alex, off to Kindergarten for the first day today. You think if you’d done it once before it would be a piece of cake the second time, right? I sure did. I managed to get him up and corral both him and his brother through the morning time routine without too much issue (aside from waking Alex and getting him out of bed; a herculean task to be sure). Scott came back to the house for the official send-off and we snapped the first day obligatory pictures. We even made it to the bus stop without incident and Alex, a bit reluctant and apprehensive, boarded with his brother and promptly drove away.
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Asian veggie pasta is one of those rare dishes that I consider to have “the trifecta effecta” going for it. And just what do I mean by the trifecta effecta? Allow me to explain. It covers the three big aspirations for any fare you put together.
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