Macaroni and cheese (or mac 'n' cheese) is a common dish, whose main ingredients are cooked 'elbow' macaroni and a cheese sauce. Cheddar cheese is the traditional choice, but other cheese may be used.

 

Prep time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

6 c. water
1 (7.25 oz.) package of macaroni and cheese dinner
1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. heavy whipping cream
2 tbsp. skim milk powder
1/2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded

Directions:

Boil the water in a medium pan.
Stir in the macaroni.
Boil for 7 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Drain the macaroni and return it to the pan.
Add butter, whipping cream, skim milk powder, cheese, and cheese sauce mix (from the macaroni and cheese dinner package).
Reduce heat to low and mix well until the cheese has melted.

Serves: 3

For extra flavor, add one or more of the following:

1 cup broccoli, steamed
2 hot dogs, boiled and thinly sliced
1 large tomato, diced
6 slices of bacon, cooked and chopped

 

 

 

One of the best-known Thai dishes, Pad Thai (pronounced Phad-Thai) is a dish of stir-fried rice noodles with eggs, fish sauce, tamarind juice, red chilli pepper, plus any combination of bean sprouts, shrimp, chicken, or tofu, garnished with crushed peanuts and coriander.  It is normally served with a piece of lime, the juice of which can be added along with the usual Thai condiments.  In Thailand, it is also served with a piece of banana flower.

 

 

1-ounce tamarind paste
3/4 cup boiling water
2 tablespoons fish sauce
2 tablespoons palm sugar
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
4 ounces rice stick noodles
6 ounces Marinated Tofu, recipe follows ***
1 to 2 tablespoons peanut oil
1 cup chopped scallions, divided
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 whole eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons salted cabbage
1 tablespoon dried shrimp
3 ounces bean sprouts, divided
1/2 cup roasted salted peanuts, chopped, divided
Freshly ground dried red chile peppers, to taste
1 lime, cut into wedges

Place the tamarind paste in the boiling water and set aside while preparing the other ingredients. 
Combine the fish sauce, palm sugar, and rice wine vinegar in a small bowl and set aside.

Place the rice stick noodles in a mixing bowl and cover with hot water. Set aside while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Once the other ingredients are measured out into separate bowls, drain the water from the noodles and set them aside. Cut the tofu into 1/2-inch wide strips, similar to French fries.

Press the tamarind paste through a fine mesh strainer and add to the sauce. Stir to combine.

Place a wok over high heat. Once hot, add 1 tablespoon of the peanut oil. Heat until it shimmers, then add the tofu. Cook the tofu until golden brown, moving constantly, for no longer than 1 minute. Remove the tofu from the pan to a small bowl and set aside.

If necessary, add some more peanut oil to the pan and heat until shimmering. Add 2/3 of the scallions and then the garlic, cook for 10 to 15 seconds. Add the eggs to the pan; once the eggs begin to set up, about 15 to 20 seconds, stir to scramble. Add the remaining ingredients in the following order and toss after each addition: noodles, sauce, cabbage, shrimp, and 2/3 of the bean sprouts and peanuts. Toss everything until heated through, but no longer than 1 to 2 minutes total. Transfer to a serving dish. Garnish with the remaining scallions, bean sprouts, and peanuts. Serve immediately with the ground chile peppers and lime wedges.

*** Marinated Tofu:

Pizza is an oven-baked, flat, usually round bread covered with tomato purée and often mozzarella cheese, with other toppings left optional. Pizza was originating as a part of Neapolitan cuisine, the dish has yet become popular in many different parts of the world.

Prep time: about 25 minutes

Ingredients:

1 12" pizza base (a large Boboli shell is excellent)
1 14-oz. can chopped tomatoes
fresh basil leaves, sliced finely
2 or 3 pieces of prosciutto or Parma ham, sliced very thinly (you can find it at the deli counter)
4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
1 tbsp. olive oil

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (204 degrees Celsius).
Place the pizza base on a baking sheet and spread it with a layer of tomato.
Sprinkle the basil over the tomato.
Tear the prosciutto or Parma ham into small pieces and lay the pieces over the pizza. Sprinkle the pizza with the feta cheese.
Drizzle the olive oil over the pizza.
Cook in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until the cheese browns and bubbles.
Cut into 8 slices, share, and enjoy!

Serves: 4

Serving size: 2 slices

Suggestions:

Experiment with other toppings on your pizza: olives, peppers, broccoli, avocado, and whatever else you like!

 

A milkshake is a sweet, cold beverage which is made from milk, ice cream or iced milk, and sweet flavorings such as fruit syrup or chocolate sauce. Whipped cream may be added as a topping. Three popular milkshake flavors are vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.

Prep time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

1 instant breakfast packet, any flavor
3/4 c. whole milk
1/4 c. heavy whipping cream
1/2 c. ice cream, any flavor

Directions:

Mix all ingredients in a blender until smooth.

Serves: 1

Serving size: 1 1/2 cups

Variations and suggestions:

Make different flavors using a variety of ice cream and instant breakfast flavors. Or try adding strawberries or other fruit for a twist.

 

 

French toast is a popular breakfast food in the United States. French toast is made with bread (generally pre-sliced) and eggs; some common additions are milk, water, or orange juice to thin the eggs, sugar, and spices such as allspice, nutmeg and cinnamon. Vanilla may also be added to the egg mixture.

Prep time: about 15 minutes

 

 
Ingredients:

 

1 egg
1/4 c. milk
dash of vanilla extract
1 tbsp. margarine
2 pieces of bread

Directions:

Crack the egg into a medium-sized bowl and beat well. Then mix in the milk and vanilla extract.
Put the margarine in a frying pan. Heat the pan on the stovetop on medium heat. It's hot enough when the margarine starts to bubble.
Dunk each piece of bread in the egg mixture. Make sure the bread is totally covered.
Cook the bread in the frying pan on low heat until the underside is light brown (about 5 minutes).
Use a spatula to flip the bread over, and cook again for another 5 minutes.
Use the spatula to transfer the French toast to a plate.

Serves: 2

Serving size: 1 slice

Suggestion:

Eat your French toast with powdered sugar, cinnamon, maple syrup, jelly, or fruit on top.