Showing posts with label Soul Food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Soul Food. Show all posts

Friday, August 13, 2010

**Spotlight Friday's**

S'Mac
345 East 12th Street

New York, NY 10003-7238


Courtesy of MentalFloss


Remember my last post when I gave a recipe for Baked Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese? Well I was lucky enough to discover this amazing spot in the East Village of NYC that strictly serves nothing but Baked Macaroni & Cheese!!!!!
 
Oh Em Gee!!
 
And you know what they had on their menu??? Buffalo Chicken Macaroni & Cheese!
 
 
 
It was just as amazing as it sounded!
 
The place is really small but super cute with yellow and orange accents. Prices are definitely reasonable considering the area as well. I got a "Mega Munch" size for $10 and I couldn't even finish it! Of course i took it home though and had it for lunch the next day =) Anytime you can get 2 meals out of one, it's money well spent.
 
Don't go here expecting anything fancy or exceptional waiter/waitress service. Go here to simply indulge in one of their 12 cheesy masterpieces!! Mmmmmm I can't wait to go back!!
 
More info can be found on their website here.

Friday, July 9, 2010

~ Eat Up, Drink Up, or Shut Up ~

Whoa!! Let me start off by apologizing for being about almost 2 weeks late with my weekly Wednesday recipe post. So much has been going on, I haven't even had the chance to find the best recipes to share with you! But fret no more, I'm about to give you probably THE best food creation since Ice Cream Cupcakes (OK maybe that's only the best to me =) )

I admit, I have not tried this recipe myself, YET!

Now some of you may know, that I watch the Food Network like it is my religion. I'm a loyal worshipper every Saturday and Sunday mornings like no ones business. So it's no surprise that of where I grabbed this recipe from. They have never left me disappointed!

BUFFALO-CHICKEN MACARONI & CHEESE

2 personal reasons why I pretty much believe this is the best recipe ever!!
  1. My favorite comfort food is baked macaroni & cheese. I've been known to pout if I'm at a BBQ and no one leaves any for me. I've been to jump up and down if I go somewhere and they are serving it. I've even been known to eat the leftovers for breakfast. I think you get the point, I LOVE it!
  2. I LOVE Wings! Meaty, Juicy, Slightly Spicy, covered in Buffalo Sauce, wings!
Do you get it yet? These geniuses have actually figured a way to combine these two delicious dishes into one luxurious meal! Please someone give them an award!

Ingredients


7 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the dish

Kosher salt

1 pound elbow macaroni

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 stalks celery, finely chopped ( Personally, I would do without the celery)

3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken ( So simple, supermarkets always sell these already cooked, sometimes already shredded)

2 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 cup hot sauce (preferably Frank's)

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons dry mustard

2 1/2 cups half-and-half

1 pound yellow sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 3 1/2 cups)

8 ounces pepper jack cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)

2/3 cup sour cream

1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs) ( Cant find these? Any plain breadcrumbs would do.)

1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese ( I hate blue cheese, I would definitely find a substitute)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain.
Meanwhile, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken and garlic and cook 2 minutes, then add 1/2 cup hot sauce and simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 more minute.
Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and mustard with a wooden spoon until smooth. Whisk in the half-and-half, then add the remaining 1/4 cup hot sauce and stir until thick, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, then whisk in the sour cream until smooth.
Spread half of the macaroni in the prepared baking dish, then top with the chicken mixture and the remaining macaroni. Pour the cheese sauce evenly on top.
Put the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted. Stir in the panko, blue cheese and parsley. Sprinkle over the macaroni and bake until bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

For the full recipe and other scrumptious meal ideas please visit My Favorite Website.

Salud!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

It's Good For Your Soul


Anyone who knows me well, knows I go to food like it's my therapist. When you think about it, they don't call it comfort food for nothing. Why pay for an overpriced therapist, when you can indulge in a delicious pint of Ben & Jerry's, or break off a piece of luxurious Hershey's with Almonds, or sip on a LARGE glass of vino or strong margarita? It's comforting to know that these things will always be there when we need them, we can lay our hearts on the line and our innermost feelings in front of them without ever being judged, they don't talk back and their only goal is to make sure we are completely satisfied. That is why, for women, when we cant afford to buy new shoes (lets face it that is our other comfort), we nearly ALWAYS choose to communicate over food and alcohol. Recent heartbreak? Let's meet up for drinks and venting. Just got laid off? Come to my house for dinner and venting. Depressed? Lets go drinking and dancing and get our mind off things. Got a new job? Lets celebrate at the closest bar. Graduating? Let's throw a party with so much food we will have to roll you out.

This is just one of the many reasons why I love food and why I appreciate a good drink. Its the epicenter of encouragement, of getting through a bad breakup, of stimulating conversations, of new ideas, of overcoming obstacles. But most importantly it brings people together.