Super easy and so delicious!

Whole grain spinach spirals and red pepper are perfect paired with a creamy goat cheese sauce.

I roasted the pepper in the oven at 350 for about 20 minutes then chopped them and threw them into the boiling pasta water for abot 10 minutes.

This infused the flavor a bit and softened the peppers.

I started with about 2 tbsp. of butter, 2 cloves crushed garlic, 1/2 cup of half and half, and 1 cup of sour cream.

Let this simmer for a few minutes then add a half a cup or more to taste of soft goat cheese.

Drain the pasta and mix in the goat cheese with the red pepper and stir.

Add salt and pepper to taste.

This is a great meatless meal, nutritious and filling.
Enjoy!

Nothing says comfort food like macaroni and cheese.

And there is no reason to resort to boxed products when homemade cheese sauce is so delicious, nutritious and easy!

Experiment with your favorite cheeses and get creative.

This recipe is the basic cheddar cheese sauce that we all remember.

There is a way to make this old favorite healthy and hardy with quality ingredients.

This cheese sauce starts with a basic roux and shredded cheddar cheese.

Roux
1 stick of butter
2-3 Tbspn flour
1 cup of half and half or whole milk

Melt the butter in a sauce pan over medium heat.
Add flour and allow it to bubble and cook for a few minutes
Then add milk creating a smooth and creamy sauce.

Cheese Sauce

Add to the Roux,
1 and ½ to 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
A pinch of Nutmeg
Salt and pepper to taste.
And add enough milk or half and half to reach the desired consistency; which should be creamy and not too thick, approximately the thickness of heavy cream.

Stir over low heat and allow to cook into a creamy, rich sauce.

Stir in cooked whole wheat shells or the macaroni of your choice.

This is the basic sauce. To the roux you can add any cheese you like.

You can also add ingredients like crushed garlic, capers sautéed onions, mushrooms, fresh green onions or sautéed leeks.

The list is endless.

Macaroni and cheese can go from simple and familiar to gourmet and sophisticated in no time.

The most important ingredient is your imagination!

Spring is fragrant and lovely in this little lakeside town.

Warm sunny days inspire herbs and fresh veggies and lots of salad!

My daughters loved this meal and the simple balsamic vinaigrette dressing on the salad.

Fresh and crunchy with warm and creamy; Perfection!

This chowder was so easy.

Ingredients:

2 Cups organic sweet corn
1 ½ cups half and half
½ cup milk
¼ cup chopped cilantro
1 cup finely grated Mexican cheese blend
3 cloves garlic
3 Tbspn organic sweet cream butter
¼ cup chopped roasted red pepper
¼ white onion chopped
½ Tbspn chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

Add butter to medium sized sauté pot.
Add chopped garlic, chili powder, onion and corn and allow to sauté for a few minutes.
Add cilantro half and half and cheese.
Allow to cook then add milk; enough to create a smooth creamy consistency.
Serve warm and enjoy!