Ultimate Comfort Food {Macaroni & Cheese}

I have a confession to make.  When Hope was two years old, I introduced her to a new food, that quickly became her favorite...Macaroni and Cheese.  But not just any macaroni and cheese, it was the kind that comes in a blue box.  She loved it!  And every time we went to the grocery store, she would spot the blue box and scream "Mac-Cheese".  Whenever I wasn't sure of what to make her for lunch or dinner, she would say "Mac-Cheese!"  She was crazy about the stuff.

Fast forward to almost a year later, when we moved to Mexico.  Sure, Hope liked the food that my suegra prepared for her, but she still wanted her Macaroni-and-cheese.  This being a small town, far from the big city and large grocery stores, the little blue box was no where to be found.  I did buy a few boxes of the different Mexican brands, but none of them came close to the yummy goodness of the stuff in the blue box.

Then began my desperate search for the perfect homemade version.  Some were baked.  Some had a bechamel sauce base.  But still, I hadn't found a recipe that was pleasing to my little girls taste buds.

Finally, one day, I really didn't feel like making yet another bechamel sauce, so I decided to use a few shortcuts.  I cooked my macaroni according to package directions.  Then in a separate bowl,  I melted a little bit of butter, added some Mexican Crema and a few slices of good ol' American cheese.  To finish it off, I seasoned it with a little salt and pepper and presented it to Hope.   

I waited with bated breath as she tasted her Mac-n-Cheese.

She turned to me with a very serious look, then flashed me the biggest smile and said, "Mommy, this is the BEST Mac-n-cheese!"

Coditos con Queso (Macaroni and Cheese)

Ingredients:

• 6 to 8oz. elbow macaroni (I use 200 grams)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup Mexican Crema
• 6 slices American Cheese, cut in large pieces (make sure it's the good stuff!)

Directions:
Cook the macaroni according to package directions.  Pour the macaroni into a strainer to drain the hot water; set aside.

In the same pot you cooked the macaroni, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.  Stir in the Mexican Crema and the cheese.

Continue cooking, stirring often, until the cheese has melted completely.

Stir in the cooked macaroni.  Season with salt and pepper.

Enjoy!!!

Agua de Sandia

Nothing says summer to me like a big slice of watermelon.  It's cool, refreshing and delicious.  Hubby and the kiddies love to eat it with salt, lime and hot sauce.  But I prefer a tall glass of sweet Agua de Sandia.  It's perfect for those hot, summer days.

Agua de Sandia

Ingredients:
3 to 4 cups watermelon, cut in large chunks
4 cups water
1/2 to 2/3 cup sugar

Directions:
Fill a blender cup with watermelon.  Add the 4 cups of water.  Puree until smooth.

Strain the pureed mixture into a 2 quart pitcher.

Add enough water to fill the pitcher.  Sweeten with sugar.  (I used 1/2 cup, but you could use more or less.)

Serve with lots of ice or refrigerate until ready to serve.
 

Enjoy!!!

Tres Leches Cake...Très Magnifique!

How embarrassing! I thought I published this post on Friday. 

It's time for another installment of The Cake Slice Baker's!  I know it has been a while since I've participated and all because of my computer problems.  (Still waiting on the computer tech!)

This month's cake is one of my favorites...Tres Leches (Three Milks).  I loved it!

The actual cake was a little denser than I prefer for a Tres Leches cake, but it was delicious and held together very nicely after the addition of the three milks.
 
After tasting this cake, Hubby declared that it was the best Tres Leches cake he has ever tasted.  And Hubby isn't a big fan of Tres Leches.  The kiddies loved it too.  My daughter Ashley liked it so much that she wants me to make it again for her birthday next month!

Be sure to check out the rest of The Cake Slice Baker's to see how they liked this cake! 

Johnny C's Tres Leches Cake 
(from Southern Cakes by Nancie McDermott)

Ingredients:
Cake

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk

Three-Milk Sauce

• 1-1/2 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk (I used the whole can!)
• 1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk
• 1 tablespoon grated lime zest

Garnish

• Sweetened whipped cream
• Fresh Fruit

Directions:
Heat the oven to 350 F.  Grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch pan.  In a medium bowl, combine the flour and baking powder and stir with a fork to mix well.

In a large bowl, combine the butter and sugar; beat with a mixer at high speed to mix well.

Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well each time and stopping to scrape down the bowl occasionally, until the batter is light, fluffy and smooth.

Add one-third of the flour mixture.  Then half of the milk.  Beating at low speed each time, just until the flour or milk disappears into the batter.

Add another third of the flour, the remaining milk and the remaining flour in the same way.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake at 350 F for 35 to 40 minutes, until the cake is golden brown, springs back when touched lightly in the center and begins to pull away from the sides of the pan.

Cool the cake in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes.  Sprinkle the lime zest over the cake.  Punch holes with a toothpick in the top of the cake about 1 inch apart.

While the cake is cooling, make the sauce by combining the milk, sweetened condensed milk and evaporated milk in a medium saucepan.  Heat gently over medium heat, stirring often, until the mixture forms a smooth, steaming hot sauce.  DO NOT LET IT COME TO A BOIL! 

Slowly pour the warm milk sauce over the warm cake in stages, stopping to let the cake absorb some of the sauce before adding more. 

Let stand for 1 hour.  Cover and refrigerate, allowing the cake to come to room temperature before serving.  Cut into square and serve right from the pan.  Garnish with sweetened whipped cream and fresh fruit, if you like.

Enjoy!!!

Printable Version

Ceviche de Camaron {Shrimp Ceviche}

There are still a few days of summer left to enjoy and I'm sure don't want to spend them slaving over a hot stove.  So today, I am going to share a quick and easy way to prepare Ceviche de Camaron.  It might not be the "traditional" way of preparing it, but it tastes just as delicious! (I promise to post the traditional recipe soon!)

Ceviche de Camaron
(Shrimp Ceviche)

Ingredients:

• 1 pound cooked shrimp, peeled, deveined and finely chopped
• 2 to 3 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons cilantro, finely chopped
• 1 to 2 serrano chilies, seeds removed and finely chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice

Directions:
Combine the tomato, onion, cilantro and serrano chilies.

Stir in the shrimp and lime juice.  Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.  Serve with plenty of tostadas. 

Enjoy!!!

You might also like these delicious Mexican shrimp dishes: 

• Coctel de Camaron (Mexican Shrimp Cocktail) 
• Camarones a la Mexicana (Mexican Style Shrimp) 
• Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (Garlic Shrimp) 
• Camarones a la Diabla (Spicy Deviled Shrimp)

Tortitas de Calabacita {Zucchini Patties}

The other night, Hubby and I were having a profound conversation, trying to answer the age-old question of...If you could only eat one comida (food) for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Hubby quickly chose chicken, because it can be prepared in a variety of ways.

I, on the other hand, couldn't answer the question.  I love food too much.  How could I possibly choose just one food to eat for the rest of my life? 

But today, I finally came up with an answer...Zucchini!  Not only is it my favorite veggie, it's much more versatile than chicken.  I can't imagine eating a chicken dessert.  But zucchini, on the other hand, can be eaten both sweet AND savory.

One of my favorite ways to eat zucchini is in Tortitas de Calabacita (Zucchini Patties).  I love them for breakfast or as a side dish with a little Chile de Molcajete.   During Cuaresma (Lent) I like to serve my tortitas in Mole Ranchero.  Tortitas de Calabacita also make for a great veggie burger! 

 
Tortitas de Calabacita

Ingredients:

• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons flour
• 2 tablespoons chopped onion
• Butter (for frying)

Directions:
Place the shredded zucchini in a fine-sieve strainer.  Using the back of a spoon, press on the zucchini, to drain all of the liquid.  Transfer the zucchini to a medium bowl.  Add the eggs, flour and onion.  Season with salt and pepper.

Mix until well combined.  The mixture will be a little thick.

Heat 1 to 2 tablespoons of butter in a medium non-stick skillet, over low heat.  Spoon 1/8 to 1/4 cupfuls of batter into skillet; flatten the patties slightly.  (Cook 3 or 4 patties at a time.)

Cover skillet and let cook for 3 to 5 minutes per side until golden brown.

Serve with your favorite salsa, Chile de Molcajete or a dollop of Mexican Crema.  Enjoy!!!

Back in Business {Philly Cheesesteaks}

"If Mohammed won't go to the mountain, the mountain must come to Mohammed."

If my computer - which only works in Safe Mode - won't let me upload pics from my camera, then I have to find another way to do it.

One friend suggested that I take pics of my recipes with my cell phone and then either upload them to FB or email them to myself.  Only one problem...My cell phone doesn't have a camera.  (I didn't think I needed one, since I never go anywhere without my camera.)

But today, I think I finally found a solution.  At least a temporary one.

We recently bought Nick a Nintendo DSi as a prize for his excellent grades this year.  And guess what I discovered.  Not only can he take pictures with it, but I can upload them to Facebook!

I didn't think to use the DSi for taking recipe pics, but I have been missing this blog something fierce!  So I took a pic of a finished recipe just to see how the pic looked.

The pics aren't half bad.  They'll do for the meantime, until my computer gets fixed. (Hopefully soon!)

Now...about today's recipe.  There was an abundance of bell peppers at El Rancho, and the first thing that came to mind to make was a Philly Cheesesteak.  Tender cuts of beef, sauteed onion and bell pepper topped with melted Manchego cheese.  All on a toasted bolillo roll.  Mmmmmmm!

Philly Cheesesteaks

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 pounds thin-cut beef steak, cut in strips
• 4 large bell peppers, cut in strips
• 1 large onion, cut in strips
• Bolillo rolls
• Mexican Crema
• Manchego cheese, sliced thinly (Substitute Cheddar or American cheese)

Directions:
Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a large skillet, over high heat.  Add the thin-cut beef steak, season generously with salt and pepper and saute until no longer pink.  Cover the skillet and reduce heat to low.

Once the meat juices have evaporated, add another tablespoon of vegetable oil.  Stir in the bell pepper and onion.  Continue to cook until meat is lightly browned and the vegetables are slightly tender.

While the meat and vegetables are cooking, preheat your oven to 375 F and heat a griddle or comal over medium heat. Slice the bolillo rolls in half lengthwise.  Place the bolillo slices cut-side down on the comal.  Heat until lightly toasted.

Spread the toasted slices with Mexican crema.  Spoon the meat and veggie mixture on one slice of bolillo, top with cheese and the other bolillo slice.

Place the sandwiches on an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 5 minutes or just until the cheese melts.

Enjoy!!!