Monday's Meal - Mac-n-Cheese & Baked Beans

Today you get two-for one!! On July 4th, I made mac-n-cheese and baked beans. They were both pretty tasty, so I thought I'd share the recipes with you. The baked beans are probably the best I've ever eaten - of course, it's a Paula Deen recipe, so I'm not surprised. The mac-n-cheese recipe is courtesy of my sister, Rocky (not her real name, but a nickname our dad gave her).

I did modify Paula's recipe a little, so I'll post my version and also a link to her original recipe:

Southern Baked Beans
(click here for original recipe)

• 1/2 medium onion, diced into teeny, tiny pieces
• 1 (20-ounce) and 1 (10 oz.) can pork and beans
• 2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons ketchup
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/2 pound bacon strips, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

Directions:

• Brown bacon in skillet, remove, drain excess grease, cool, then cut into 1/2 " strips.
• Dice onion (whatever size pieces you like - we like them tiny), then brown in bacon grease. Drain excess grease.
• Add beans, mustard, syrup, brown sugar, ketchup, lemon juice, bacon, and onions to crockpot.
• Cook on high for 3-4 hours, then reduce heat to low for an additional 3-4 hours.
• Remove from crockpot and place in baking dish (I used a disposable aluminum baking pan). 
• If making the same day, you can serve the beans directly from the crockpot.
• If making a day ahead of time, allow to cool a little, then cover with foil, and place in refrigerator. The next day, preheat oven to 350 degrees, then reheat beans for 45-60 minutes.

Southern Baked Beans

Rocky's Mac-n-Cheese

1/2 cup butter or margarine

1/2 cup flour

salt to taste (I used about 2 tsp.)

pepper to taste (I didn't use pepper)

5 cups milk (I used skim)

4 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I used sharp cheddar, mild cheddar, colby, & Monterey Jack)

1 (16 oz.) box elbow macaroni

• Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
• In large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter/margarine, remove from heat. 
• Stir in flour, salt, and pepper. 
• Return to medium heat, and cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is bubbly.
• Add milk, one cup at a time.
• Stir frequently until sauce thickens and mixture begins to boil.
• Add cheese, one cup at a time; stir until cheese is melted.
• Add cheese sauce to macaroni, mix thoroughly.
• Place in baking dish & bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes. 
• If you like your mac-n-cheese "sloppy", you don't have to bake it in the oven.

Rocky's Mac-n-Cheese

Yummy!!

Monday's Meal - Crockpot Chicken

This is an easy crockpot chicken recipe that is great for summer (Gus gets moody when I turn the oven on in 100 degree weather) - and it's really yummy!!

Crockpot Chicken

• 2-3 lbs. boneless, skinless, chicken breasts
• 4 oz. reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
• 1 can golden mushroom soup
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• seasoned salt
• garlic powder
• rice or pasta (to serve with the chicken)

Directions:

• Combine both cans of soup, cream cheese, and cheese in crockpot. Stir until thoroughly combined. Remove about half of mixture, and reserve in a bowl.
• Sprinkle seasoned salt and garlic powder (to taste) on both sides of chicken breasts, then slice chicken lengthwise into 1" strips. You could also use chicken tenderloins instead, but my family thinks tenderloins aren't as good as breasts. *rolls eyes*
• Place chicken in crockpot over the soup mixture, then carefully spoon remaining soup mixture over the chicken.
• Cook on high for 4-6 hours.
• Serve over rice or pasta. Gus & I had ours over basmati & wild rice, but Lulu & her boyfriend had theirs over penne pasta.

soup, cream cheese, and cheese mixture

seasoned chicken

chicken added to crockpot mixture

crockpot chicken over basmati & wild rice

Enjoy!!

Five favorite "diet" foods...

Since revamping the way I eat, I've had to change my "splurges" to things that are a bit healthier, and lower in fat & sugar. These are a few of my favorites, so I thought I'd share.

Ocean Spray Diet Sparkling Pomegranate Blueberry Juice Beverage

This comes in an 8.4 oz. can and is delicious! It only has 10 calories, 0g fat, 50mg sodium, 3g carbs, & 10% Vitamin C. I believe you can buy them by the individual can as well as in 4-packs.

Kellogg's Special K Fruit Crisps 

These come in a variety of flavors, but I love the blueberry. They're like miniature frosted blueberry poptarts, but better. 100 calories, 2g fat, 20g carbs, 1g protein.

DiGiorno 200 Calorie Portions Pizza
(2 svgs per box)

My favorite is the pepperoni! You can make these in the microwave, but I prefer them in the oven. I sprinkle the top with a little fat-free cheese & bake for 14 minutes. Perfect for lunch!! 200 calories, 9g fat, 21g carbs, 10g protein.

Laughing Cow Cheese

Again, several varieties, but I love the light creamy swiss. My favorite way to eat it is with oyster crackers, LOL! I wedge has 35 calories, 1.5g fat, 1g carbs, 2g protein.

Jello Sugar-Free Pudding Cups

Honestly, I can't tell the difference between this & the regular pudding. I love the vanilla & the chocolate/vanilla swirl. 60 calories, 1g fat, 12g carbs, 2g protein.