The Wifey Kitchen

Mac Daddy Mac and Cheese

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There are literally a zillion ways to make mac and cheese and everyone has their own technique and recipe.

If you haven’t noticed- I like to do things that are fast and easy and this Mac Daddy doesn’t get any more basic- without losing any flavor.

Now, I  prefer to use a slow cooker or croc pot because that literally takes no effort- BUT not everyone has those appliances so today I’m sharing a ONE POT recipe. Guys, it’s so easy that it’s almost ridiculous. You will never use a box again- for reals.

I love how the greek yogurt and goat cheese give it a little kick, yet this recipe is still mild enough that your kids and picky friends will love it too.

The way I made it omits a lot of the decadent noise that can make this comfort food so fatty, so you can inhale this (almost) guilt free. HOWEVER- if you don’t care about calories- rock on and add 1/2 cup milk and 2 tbs of butter when you add the goat cheese and greek yogurt.

What You Need:

  • a box of macaroni  – penne and elbow are my favs
  • 3 laughing cow triangles- I used the swiss flavor this time
  • 2 cups of cheddar cheese, 1 cup of mozzarella
  • 4 tbs greek yogurt
  • 2 tbs goat cheese
  • a dash of: salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika
  • a big spoon for mixing
  • a pot and a lid to strain with

What To Do: 

  • add salt to water and boil
  • add entire box to pot and stir about every min for 6 mins- you want this a tad al dente
  • drain most of the water out- leave about 1/2 cup in there for the mixing
  • add goat cheese and greek yogurt and stir immediately- till the pasta is coated (this is when you’d add the butter and milk if you’re using it)
  • add the cheddar and mozzarella and mix
  • cover with a lid and turn your burner on low heat, wait a min or so and stir again, let it sit and so on until everything is melty magic
  • dash salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprkia- then mix well . dash again with salt, pepper and paprika- DO NOT ADD MORE GARLIC SALT. I did the first time and had to do major damage control- if you do this then add more cheese and 1/2 cup of milk- stir till evenly coated
  • serve and watch them die with happiness

MAKE THE MAC DADDY LIKE THE WIFEY:

 

EZ Cheezy Wifey Enchiladas

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Who doesn’t LOVE Mexican food?!? I know we do in our house, especially on chilly days or the day after a late night.

When Alex first told me how much he loved enchiladas – I’ll admit I panicked on the inside- for some reason I always thought they would require mad skill and would be complicated.

Well, maybe they do for some people- but not in this kitchen! These truly live up to their name and ooze greatness.

know what else oozes greatness? this apron!

know what else oozes greatness? this apron!

I’ll mix them up, and add chicken for him and asparagus and artichokes to mine. Really anything goes with these bad boys so feel free to experiment.

EZ Cheezy Wifey Enchiladas

What You Need:

  • a baking dish
  • a spatula
  • a can of enchilada sauce (red or green depending on which way you roll)
  • a can of refried beans (I like Amy’s or any vegetarian kind)
  • greek yogurt- plain
  • shredded Mexican blend cheese
  • a can of chopped mild peppers (in the International Isle at the grocery)
  • a package of corn or flour tortillas
  • *bonus for Cotija Cheese if your market carries it (look near the specialty cheeses)

What To Do:

  • pre heat oven to 350
  • dump a generous portion of sauce in the bottom of your dish and spread it out evenly
  • take a tortilla and spread a spoonful of beans down the middle, add cheeses and a dollop of greek yogurt
  • roll the tortilla and lay seam side down (so you can’t see the fold) and cover with more sauce and cheeses
  • repeat until your dish is full- I usually do around 4 per dish
  • sprinkle a few peppers across the top for color
  • bake for about 15-20 mins until the cheese gets melty and the tortilla starts to brown on the end
  • serve and feel the love!

Watch The Video:

Bonus: Elotes! Or “Mexican Street Corn” (for two):

  • Grill three ears of corn until they are charred in places, but not all black
  • melt 1 teaspoon of butter in the microwave :15 seconds or so
  • Combine butter with 1/4 cup mayo and brush on the ears as soon as you remove them from the grill
  • Mix 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne with a pinch of chili powder and sprinkle evenly on the corn
  • Sprinkle 1/4 cotija cheese (grated/crumbled) evenly over the corn
  • add a dash of salt and pepper
  • Squeeze with juice of half a lime
  • Either cut off the cob or serve whole and enjoy!

You’re My Obsession

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photo-12

The “It” girls in The Wifey Kitchen (pictured from left to right)

Real Good Juice (1) Juice-Tin Bieber, Jucille Ball, Lesser Evil (2) Feta and Black Olive Chia Crisps, Lesser Evil Jalapeño White Cheddar Chia Crisps, (3) Supremo Queso Sierra Cotija® Ground and (4) G & L Keses Halloumi Cheese.

Do I die over Cara Delevigne, Karlie Kloss and the other “It Girls” who dominate Fashion Week? DUH. But give me products that make me do a double take when I open the fridge and I’m happier than a B lister in a front row seat.

Here’s Why:

I’ve been on the hunt for the secret to the cheese that will make my Elotes taste authentic and I’ve finally found it. (3)

Chicago has been DYING for a juice-only zone. (1)

If you grew up thinking “OPA” was normal, but then tasted the real thing, now you can make it at home on the grill. (4)

And these “Crisps” are so good, you’ll sub them when you need a nacho fix. (2)

Killer Cinnamon Toast Honey Apple Crunch Kugel

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Whew- that sounds like a complicated mouthful, no? Well it’s not! This dish is truly simple to make.

I first tried Kugel in 2003 when my two wonderful Jewish roommates introduced me to both this dish and the holiday of Rosh Hashanah. Love at first bite was an understatement- I wolfed down half the pan!

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The best thing about Kugel is that there are 100’s of varieties and you can add your own twist on your dish based on who you’re serving it to, and it can be served hot or cold.

Since Rosh celebrated the Jewish New Year with apples and honey for a “Sweet New Year”, I added those into my Wifey version.

CONFESSION: I had to make this twice. The first time I didn’t use egg and something was …off. The second batch came out fluffy and tasted like the bottom of a bowl of finished Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal.

see how the one in front is fluffy?

see how the one in front is fluffy?

What You Need:

  • 9×13 baking dish- greased
  • a package of wide egg noodles
  • a mini box or about 1 cup of Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal
  • 6 tbsp of butter
  • a tub of sour cream (full fat really tastes better with this)
  • a tub of cottage cheese- I used Friendship Whipped style
  • 4 eggs, beaten
  • an apple , peeled and chopped into small pieces
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 2 tbsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1tsp nutmeg

What To Do:

  • heat your oven to 325 degrees
  • Boil noodles for half the normal time- make sure they are VERY al dente, add back to pot and add butter to coat and melt
  • dump the cottage cheese, sour cream, sugar, honey, vanilla, apple, nutmeg and stir them all together
  • fold in the egg mixture
  • add the noodles and mix/coat
  • dump it all into your pan and spread it evenly
  • crumble the cereal and sprinkle on top
  • bake for 45 mins, the top should be browning and when you stick a fork or knife thru, it should come out mostly clean
  • I like to let it sit a couple of hours, covered in foil. You can either serve this warm (re heated) or cold.
  • Toast to a sweet and happy New Year and your amaze and simple creation!

Watch the Step By Step Video Here (coming soon)