Skillet Mac & Cheese

Going back to school for a second degree. I am scared to be going back but I have a goal in sight and I refuse to back down from it. I sometimes feel as if there is too much lost potential or people, not fully using their gifts. I know I don't use all of my abilities to their full potential. That is something I'm going to work on. There is more on my mind but for now this is it.

I am not a huge fan of mac and cheese. Not sure why. I love cheese and pasta but this one particular recipe is something I always have avoided. This recipe was very good. I guess it's because of the paprika and cayenne. It  gave it a slight spicy taste. One thing I would take out if I remake this is the cauliflower. Not a huge fan of that part.

Book:Out of the Silent Plant by C.S. Lewis. In the middle of the book now. It is very small but I'm reading little by little.

iTunes: Jay-Z - Dirt off your Shoulder. I am trying to remove all the unnecessary components in my life.

Pandora: Swagga Like Us [Ft. Jay-Z, Kanye West,Lil' Wayne] - T.I. I am trying to work on my swagga. I want my clothes to be a small reflection of who I am. I want to be clean and cool headed.

Quote: Our life always expresses the result of our dominant thoughts. - Soren Kierkegaard. Not sure what it fully means but needed one for this post.

Ingredients:

1. 2 cups cauliflower florets
2. 1 1/4 cups fresh whole wheat bread crumbs, toasted
3. 3 Tbsp grated Parmesan
4. 2 tsp olive oil
5. 6 oz whole grain elbow macaroni (1 1/2 C)
6. 3 Tbsp all purpose flour
7. 3 Cups cold 1% milk
8. 1 1/4 cup shredded cheddar
9. 1/4 cup shredded Gruyere
10. 2 tsp mustard powder
11. 3/4 tsp paprika
12. 1/4 tsp cayenne

Serves: 6
Per servings:5g fiber, 8g sat fat, 540mg sodium, 360 calories

Directions:

1. Steam cauliflower until just tender, 5 minutes. Finely chop.

• I cut the cauliflower into four pieces so that it could fully cook. I also added some salt.
2. Mix bread crumbs, Parmesan, and oil.

• I felt that it could have sued more oil but I did not add more.
3. Cook macaroni per package directions, draining 3 minutes before done.

• No problem here. I added salt though it was regular pasta I didn't find any whole grain elbow.
4. Whisk flour into milk in large saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat, whisking. Simmer until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in cheese, spices and 1/2 tsp of salt and pepper. Whisk until mixture is smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Add Cauliflower and macaroni and stir together.
• They did not sell Gruyere cheese around where I live. I asked on google what to use as a substitute, and they recommended Swiss cheese. My mom helped keep stirring the cheese mixture until we added the macaroni and cauliflower. The Cauliflower was cut into smaller portions. I forgot to take a picture of this section.
5. Pour into oiled deep 10" ovenproof skillet and top with bread crumb mixture. Put skillet on baking sheet. Bake in a 375 f oven until browned and bubbling, 33 to 40 minutes.
• I oiled the pan, did not use a skillet and covered it with the bread crumb mixture. It tasted great, minus the cauliflower.

Definitely something that should be made again.

Black Bean Enchiladas

There is a lot on my mind this week. I even made a mistake at work. Unfortunately, I am human. I just had a hard time concentrating. I believe that by writing and speaking with friends and family it will become clear. Hopefully.

This was written two months ago. I have not updated because I'm a bit blue and angry. I just have to think and hopefully find the answers that I seek. Just tired of things being overly complicated when they could be simple.

The easy black bean enchiladas was very delicious. This was the second time it had been made. The first time was done rather quickly. I had made plans to go out but decided to make my parents a quick meal. We did not have ground red pepper so I just used small pieces of red pepper. I only took a bite, so I can't remember if I liked it. This time when it was prepared we took a red pepper and chopped the entire thing instead of using a teaspoon. It tasted delicious and my mom says that it tastes better this time.

Book: Out of the Silent Plant by C.S. Lewis. Just started this and I find it interesting so far.

iTunes: Fly Away - Lenny Kravitz.

Pandora: The End of Heartache - Killswitch Engage. Life is not without it's ironies. This song describes my mood entirely.

Quote: Real worth requires no interpreter: it's everyday deeds form its emblem. - Nicolas Chamfort

Ingredients:

1. 4 cloves garlic, minced
2. 1 onion, chopped
3. 1 green bell pepper, chopped
4.  1 tsp chili powder
5. 1 tsp ground cumin
6. 1 tsp dried oregano
7. 2 cans (15oz each) low sodium black beans, rinsed and drained
8. 1 1/2 cups fresh salsa
9. 12 corn tortillas (6" diameter), warmed according to package
10. 1 Can (14.5oz) no salt added diced tomatoes, well drained
11. 1 Cup shredded reduced fat cheddar cheese
12. 3 Cups finely shredded lettuce
13. 6 Tbsp fat-free sour cream

Servings: 6
Per serving: 267 cal, 14g pro, 51g carb, 11g fiber, 3g fat, 1g sat fat, 618mg sodium

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 F. Coat 13"x 9" baking dish with cooking spray.
• Somehow, I completely skipped this step and didn't even realize it was supposed to be baked. I just went straight to the second step.
2. Coat large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium-high heat. Cook garlic, onion, bell pepper, red pepper, chili powder, cumin, oregano and black pepper 5 to 7 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Mash beans and add to skillet with 3/4 cup of salsa. Cook 5 minutes, or until heated through.

• Nothing to say here.
3. Spoon about 1/4 cup bean mixture onto each tortilla, roll loosely and place seam side down in prepared baking dish. Combine tomatoes and remaining salsa in bowl and pour over enchiladas. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake 15 to 20minutes, or until hot.

• Here I warmed the tortillas on the oven and then spooned the bean mixture added the sauce and cheese and served it with the lettuce. Then I added the sour cream.
4. Divide lettuce among 6 plates. Top each with 2 enchiladas and 1 tablespoon sour cream.
• I combined this step with number 3.

I apologize for the shabbiness of this post but it was written two months ago and this is not fresh on my mind but at least its something.