#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Food and Life

Macaroni and Cheese Dog Casserole

October 19, 2009 · Narrative

Mac and Cheese Hot Dog Casserole

Don’t you just want to grab a serving spoon and dig into that corner right there?  I know I want to.  A couple weeks ago, The Neighbor Wife asked me for a good macaroni and cheese recipe.  And I had nothing.  Nothing to give her.  Well, let me correct that.  I love this one on the TGIF’s menu and make it occasionally.  I also love Patti LaBelle’s Over the Rainbow Mac and Cheese (tastes even better the second day).  And my sister has a great one from a vegetarian cookbook that she first made some 15+ years ago (and we all enjoyed again last week for Sophie’s birthday).  But those are all more grown-up versions.  I don’t have a go-to standard mac and cheese … even after all the, ahem, research we do.  So sad.

Until last week.  My mom was fixing a plate of lunch for the dog (who is like the fifth grandchild in our family, if not even higher up on the family tree, at the very least) and he was getting mac and cheese, leftover from a previous night’s dinner.  Madeline happened to see the plate go past her nose and started whining for some, so she got her very own plate, right along with the dog.  I stole a piece of hers, since it was a new recipe my mom had tried out.  Hours later, I emailed her for the recipe.  Winner, winner, mac and cheese dinner.

Although you might wrinkle your nose at the ketchup that goes into the recipe, or perhaps the Dijon mustard, this recipe is definitely worth making, particularly if you’ve been on a similar hunt for “the” mac and cheese dish yourself.  Madeline has been on a hot dog kick lately, so the addition of hot dogs to the dish makes it all the better.  And, um, it’s quite possible that I used cheese hot dogs to up the cheesy quota a tad.  Just sayin’.

The recipe comes from Rachael Ray, and is one of her 30 minute meals.  Even playing traffic cop in the kitchen admidst the dog, who sometimes refuses to lie anywhere but right behind me, and the kids who keep racing in and out, the recipe was done in 30 minutes.  I like them apples.  Cheesy creaminess with every bite, it also has that nice browned crust on top that just makes a mac and cheese, well, perfect in my book.

On the hunt for the recipe to, well, stop the hunt?  Try this one.  I doubt you’ll be disappointed.  Even if the dog got to try it first.

Macaroni and Cheese Dog Casserole
Recipe courtesy of Rachael Ray

SERVES 4 -6

1 lb elbow macaroni
salt
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 (16 ounce) package beef hot dogs or pork hot dogs, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon butter
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup beer or chicken broth
2 cups milk
pepper
1 tablespoon spicy mustard
2 tablespoons ketchup
3 cups yellow sharp cheddar cheese, divided (buy preshredded cheese, you will need 1 1/2 sacks of 10-ounce packages)

Boil a large pot of water for macaroni. Salt water and under cook macaroni, cook about 7 minutes until just under al dente in doneness. Preheat broiler and set rack 12 inches from heat.

While pasta works, heat a large deep nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan, then add hot dogs and brown on both sides, 4 minutes total. Remove the dogs with a slotted spoon to a paper towel lined plate. Add another tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan, and the butter. When butter melts, cook onions 4 to 5 minutes, then add flour and cook another minute. Add beer/chicken broth and cook off completely, 1 minute. Whisk in milk and bring to a bubble, then season sauce with salt and pepper and stir in mustard and ketchup. Lower heat and add 2 cups of the cheese. Stir to melt, about 1 minute. Adjust mustard, ketchup, salt and pepper to taste.

Drain pasta well. Combine pasta and hot dogs with sauce and coat evenly, then pour into large (13 x 9) casserole dish and top with remaining cheese. Melt and brown cheese under broiler, about 2 minutes. Serve and enjoy!

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: Macaroni and Cheese Dog Casserole, Patti LaBelle, Rachael Ray

Comments

  1. Starnesfam says

    October 19, 2009 at 10:29 pm

    This looks delicious and fun. I will be making it with the kids next week. Thanks! I’m hooked on Pioneer Woman’s Spicy Mac n Cheese. It’s heavenly. But, am thrilled to have something more kid-friendly!

    Reply
  2. mandy says

    October 19, 2009 at 10:57 pm

    I am a sucker for anything mac and cheese. My mom always made mac and cheese with cut up hot dogs in it. Its like a staple from my childhood. I make it for my little cousins when they come to spend the night. They think its awesome because its not something that their parents would make for them.

    Reply
  3. Joanne says

    October 20, 2009 at 6:17 am

    A good mac and cheese recipe is a glorious thing. I strongly dislike hot dogs so this isn’t for me, but I’m glad that your kids liked it!

    Reply
  4. the projectivist says

    October 20, 2009 at 8:29 am

    you’re right.
    the corners and edges are always the best bit – i like it when it goes crispy and the teeny tiniest bit burnt around the edge.

    looks fabulous and more-ish.

    Reply
  5. Ramona says

    October 20, 2009 at 8:37 am

    Rach has some pretty good recipes.

    How funny Maddie wanted some Mac when she saw the fur grand child getting a plate.

    I like the combo of mac/cheese/hotdogs myself.

    Ramona

    Reply
  6. Cathy says

    October 20, 2009 at 8:59 am

    Dog casserole or not, that looks pretty tasty! I try quite a few new mac and cheese recipes every year….this will be the next one!

    Reply
  7. Laura says

    October 21, 2009 at 10:47 am

    this looks so good…I think John Blue will love it.

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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