Crockpot Mac N’ Cheese

Gary Says: We tried this recently and it was terrific!

Crockpot Mac N' Cheese
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Side Dish
Cuisine: American
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 16 oz. large elbow macaroni
  • 12 oz. evaporated milk
  • 1 lb. sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
  • 1 lb. Velveeta cheese, cubed
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 stick butter
  • 3 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp black pepper
Instructions
  1. Boil macaroni in water until al dente. Reserve ¼ c. cheddar cheese.
  2. Beat the 3 eggs.
  3. In a large bowl, mix evaporated milk, remaining cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, Velveeta, eggs, salt & pepper. Add the cooked macaroni & mix until well blended. Pour mixture into appropriate sized Crockpot or other slow cooker. Top the mixture with your reserved cheddar cheese.
  4. Cook at Low setting for 3-4 hours.

 

Photo Courtesy of Gail on Flickr

Joe’s Quinoa and Kale Stuffed Acorn Squash

Submitted by Joe
Serves 2

Ingredients

1 acorn squash ½ c. quinoa
1 c. water 1 bunch kale
3 tbsp butter salt, pepper, & red chili pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut the acorn squash in half, remove the seeds & clean out the center. Add salt & pepper to the flesh of the squash & place 1 tbsp of butter into the cavity of each squash half.
2. Once the oven is ready, place the squash flesh side up on a baking sheet or casserole dish & bake for 45 minutes.
3. Put the quinoa into a bowl or container & fill it with water until the quinoa is covered. Set aside.
4. Remove the stalks from the kale & discard them. Rough chop the kale leaves & place into a skillet over medium heat along with 1 tbsp of butter. Add salt, pepper, & crushed red pepper to taste & saute until the kale is dark green & wilted, approximately 5-10 minutes.
5. Drain the water from the quinoa. Pour 1 c. of water in a pot, salt the water liberally & bring to a boil. Once boiling, add the quinoa & kale, stirring together. Place a cover on the pot & reduce the heat to low.
6. Remove the squash from the oven. Spoon the quinoa & kale mixture into the cavity of each squash half & serve.

Chef’s Note: Spinach can be substituted for kale if desired.

Vegan Spice Cake

Sharon Says: My first piece is always warm because looks & smells so good I “need” to taste right away! I also recommend Whole Foods 365 brand vegan sugar & Earth Balance brand buttery vegan spread.

Sharon Nazarian runs BigCityVegan.com, a website dedicated to living a cruelty-free lifestyle including vegan recipes, vegan news & vegan merchandise, like cool vegan t-shirts.

Vegan Spice Cake
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Dessert
Cuisine: Vegan
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 2½ c. whole wheat flour
  • 1½ c. vegan sugar
  • 1½ c. soy milk
  • 1 c. whole canned cranberry sauce
  • ¼ c. powdered vegan sugar
  • 6 tbsp buttery vegan spread
  • 2 tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp ground cloves
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • ½ tsp salt
Instructions
  1. Melt the buttery vegan spread & combine with soy milk.
  2. Stir together all the dry ingredients: flour, sugar, baking soda, spices & salt.
  3. Alternate adding the cranberry sauce & the soy milk with melted vegan butter mixture to the dry ingredients until everything is fully blended.
  4. Pour into a well-greased 9" square pan (use butter spread, light vegetable oil or a light oil spray).
  5. Bake on middle rack in preheated 350°F oven for 60 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean
  6. Garnish with powdered vegan sugar (put into strainer, shake it over the entire cake).
  7. Serve warm or cold.

 

Photo Courtesy of stu_spivack on Flickr.

Joe’s Butternut Squash Risotto

Joe's Butternut Squash Risotto
 
Author: 
Recipe type: Side Dish
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Ingredients
  • 1 c. butternut squash, cubed
  • 1 c. Arborio rice
  • 3 c. hot vegetable stock
  • ⅓ c. dry white wine
  • ¼ c. Parmesan cheese, grated
  • ¼ c. Pecorino Romano cheese, grated
  • ½ onion, minced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 tbsp butter
  • salt & ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Place squash cubes & 1 tbsp of butter into a skillet over medium heat. Stir occasionally until cooked through (roughly 10 minutes) then remove from heat & set aside.
  2. Melt remaining butter in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion & garlic; cook & stir for 2 minutes until they begin to soften, then stir in the rice. Continue cooking & stirring until the rice is glossy from the butter, & the onion begins to brown on the edges, about 5 minutes more.
  3. Pour in the white wine; cook, stirring constantly, until it has evaporated. Stir in ⅓ of the hot vegetable stock; reduce heat to medium. Cook & stir until the stock has been absorbed by the rice, 5 to 7 minutes. Add half of the remaining stock, & continue stirring until it has been absorbed.
  4. Finally, pour in the remaining stock & butternut squash, & continue stirring until the risotto is creamy. Stir in the Parmesan cheese, & season to taste with salt & pepper. Finally top each individual serving with Pecorino Romano cheese.

 

Photo Courtesy of Warren Layton on Flickr

Create Summertime Memories with National S’mores Day on August 10

Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Celebrates by Partnering with TheMotherhood to Inspire Families to Share Special Moments with S’mores

National S’mores Day is August 10, and there is no better way to celebrate the occasion than with the delicious combination of purely delicious Hershey®‘s Milk Chocolate, crisp graham crackers and toasted, gooey marshmallows. This summer, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate has partnered with influential social media moms from TheMotherhood, an award-winning web community of 13,000 mothers, to provide sweet and easy tips for families to celebrate National S’mores Day and enjoy S’mores all season long.


Personalized Hershey's Bars at The Hershey's Store
“National S’mores Day is another great reason to gather family and friends to enjoy this classic summertime treat,” said Emily McKhann of TheMotherhood. “Combining Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, graham crackers and toasted marshmallows is the perfect way to sweeten any summer day and create lasting memories.”

Tips for Creating S’mores Smiles

S’mores have been a centerpiece of summertime since the recipe was first published in the Girl Scouts handbook in 1927. The classic treat is fun to make and offers families and friends an activity they can enjoy together. Below are some quick and easy tips for enjoying S’mores on National S’mores Day and everyday:

  1. Family Activity S’mores – Make S’mores a family activity by getting everyone involved. Little ones can be in charge of assembling the graham crackers and Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bars while adults and older children take care of roasting the marshmallows. Once your S’mores are ready, dig in and enjoy this tasty treat together.
  2. Grilled S’mores – For a fun new way to enjoy S’mores, try making them on the grill! Simply wrap S’mores in aluminum foil and place on a medium-hot grill and cook 1 to 2 minutes on each side. When you’re done you’ll have S’mores that are grilled to perfection.
  3. Party with S’mores –The next time you’re invited to a summer party, bring S’mores ingredients as your contribution to the gathering. Guests will love making gooey S’mores and you’ll be a hit at the party.
  4. Summer Vacation S’mores – S’mores aren’t only for camping! Many hotel chains offer fire pits or grilling areas which are perfect for making S’mores to help sweeten your trip and create a new family tradition. Staying home this summer? You can also build S’mores at the park or playground in the designated picnic or grilling area.

Say S’mores and Share Memories

This summer, families can showcase their favorite S’mores memories by visiting Hershey’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hersheys to download the Say S’mores application. Families are invited to participate in monthly themed photo contests for a chance to win S’mores-themed prizes, including a camera, photo printing gift card, outdoor fire pit, roasting skewers and all of the ingredients needed to make S’mores.

For more tips on creating S’more’s summertime memories or to participate in the Say S’mores photo contest and view official rules, please visit the Hershey’s brand Facebook page at www.facebook.com/hersheys.

SOURCE The Hershey Company