Mac Salad...

1 lb Elbow Macaroni
1/2 Sweet Onion (Grated)
1 C Matchstick Carrots
1 C Peas
2 C Mayonnaise
Salt & Pepper

Cook pasta according to pkg directions.  Making it more plump and soft.  Drain and rinse.   In a large bowl, combine pasta, onion, carrots and peas.  Mix well.  Add cup mayonnaise and mix well.  Add salt & pepper and more mayo (if needed) to taste.  (You can add: tuna, crab, shrimp, eggs, celery, parsley, potatoes, relish... really anything you like!)

Still working on this ... I love Hawaiian Mac Salad with a plate of Kalua Pig and Two Scoop Rice!  I'll keep tweaking this recipe until I find the flavors I like best. 

Chocolate Mousse...

• 23 oz (2 pkgs) Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 8 Tbsp Butter (1 stick - cut in 1 Tbsp size pieces)
• 9 Egg Yolks
• 3/4 C Sugar
• 4 Cups Heavy Cream

Start by bringing a large pot half full of water to a rolling boil.  You need 3 different METAL mixing bowls.  Bowl #1 Add chocolate chips and butter.  Place chocolate bowl in the pot of water and with a rubber spatula, stir constantly until melted and combined.  Set aside.  Bowl #2 Place Egg yolks and whip with a mixer until volume doubles.  While continuing to mix, pour sugar in a steady stream and continue to mix for an additional 2 minutes, scraping sides and mixing well.  Place egg bowl in pot of water and whisk constantly until mixture becomes hot and thickened.  Remove from water/heat and return to mixer.  Whip to cool.  Immediately add chocolate to egg mixture and continue mixing.  Bowl #3 Whip the heavy cream until it is a stiff consistency.  Add to the chocolate/egg mixture and mix until well combined.  Chill well and serve.  (This recipe makes 12 servings.)

 

James loves chocolate mousse.  He's mentioned that for years.  I decided that for his Valentines Day present this year, I would learn to make it.  It was a little involved but not hard and it is delicious!  He loves raspberries, so I paired them with the very rich mousse... Topped with a dab of whipped cream, I think it was a hit.  Happy Valentines Day, Babe!  I LOVE you!

No Bake Cookies...

1/2 C Butter

1/2 C Milk

4 Tbsp Cocoa

2 C Sugar

1/2 C Peanut Butter

3 C Quick Oats

 

Microwave butter, milk, cocoa and sugar in a large bowl for 3 minutes on high.  Stir, cook for an additional 2 minutes.  Remove, add peanut butter and stir until melted.  Add oats and mix well.  Drop by spoonfuls onto a wax paper covered cookie sheet.  Refrigerate until cool.  Makes 24 cookies.  This is easy enough for kids to do themselves...

 

Jesse, McCall and Taryn have all gone through "No Bake Everyday" phases!

Coleslaw...

 

8 C Cabbage (Green/Purple - shredded)

1 C Carrots (shredded) 

1/2 C Sweet Onion (grated)

1/2 C Sugar

1 t Season Salt

1 t Dry Mustard

1 t Celery Seed

1/4 C Olive Oil

1/3 C Apple Cider Vinegar

1/4 C Mayonaise

 

Combine veggies.  In a small saucepan, combine remaining ingredients except the mayo.  With a whisk, blend well.  Heat until boiling.  Add mayonaise, stir well.  Pour hot over cabbage mixture.  Stir to coat and chill well.

 

(I love coleslaw!  Usually store bought.   KFC, Smoking Apple, Boston Market... But I wanted to be able to make it and not use the nasty pre-made Coleslaw Dressing.  This is my version of a more vinegar based "Carolina" than a western slaw.  My mom's slaw was mayo based and included fresh tomatoes.  If I ever find one that tastes like hers, I'll add it. )

 



Pina Colada...

1 14 oz Can Coconut Milk

1 20 oz Can Pineapple w/ Juice

1 tsp Vanilla

Extra Canned Pineapple Juice (to thin)

Ice Cubes

 

In a blender, combine milk, pineapple and vanilla.  Process until smooth and creamy.  Pour half the mixture in a different container.  To half the mixture in the blender, add 2 C ice.  Process until desired smoothness.  Add a T of pineapple juice at a time to thin it out if it become too thick.  Repeat with remaining mix.  Makes 4 large servings.

 

Calls and I made this up and it tastes... YUMMY!  Add any other frozen fruits for different flavors.

Strawberry Cream Cheese...

2  8 oz pkgs of Cream Cheese (softened)
1  C Strawberry Jam
1  tsp Vanilla

With an electric mixer, mix all ingredients together well.  Store in the refrigerator.

(I just made this up and it's AWESOME!)

Deviled Eggs... Football Style

18 Large Eggs
1/2 C Mayonnaise
2 T Dill Pickle Relish
1 T Dijon Mustard
1 T Regular Yellow Mustard
1/2 t Paprika
1/4 t Garlic Salt
Pepper to taste

Directions:
Place eggs into a medium size pot, cover with water and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and cover the pan, let stand for 20 minutes.   Pour off the hot water and refill pot with cold water. Crack the eggshells let sit in cold water for 5 minutes.  Peel eggs, cover and chill for an hour.

Halve the eggs lengthwise. Remove yolks and transfer to a small bowl. Mash with fork, then stir in the remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.  Chives are the garnish of choice for the "laces"...

(Cute idea lifted from Pintrest and served at our Superbowl Feast...)