Mac & Cheese

Hmmm. 70 minutes stuck in traffic thanks to a stalled car on the 520 bridge. Grrr… Luckily I came home to a dinner already cooked, thank to the husband. Chili mac with lemon-pancetta biscuits. Annie’s Shells and Cheddar, with Amy’s Organic Chili, combined with fresh cherry tomatoes (tomatoes from the side garden, of course). The husband also added in a little bit of pancetta, and, for kicks, some vegetarian brats. The biscuits are Heart Smart Bisquick with some lemon zest and a small slice of pancetta in the center as a surprise. The trick to fluffy biscuits …roll out the dough 1/2 inch thick, per the instructions. Fold the rolled-out dough over so it’s double the size, then cut out biscuits using a cutter. Otherwise the biscuits look kind of flat (For the surprise pancetta, you can add the slice in the fold).

Chili Mac Lemon-Pancetta biscuits

For years – years – I’ve been looking for the perfect Mac & Cheese recipe. I’m not quite sure what I’m looking for. I figure I’ll know it when I taste it. One hint, Cooking Light does not have the perfect recipe, and I was subscriber for a l-o-n-g time. Until then, I really enjoy Trader Joe’s Macaroni & Cheese (the classic, currently in a blue box). Annie’s is also tasty.

If you do have the recipe for the perfect Macaroni & Cheese, please share the love.

Bengal Tiger

I am not intending for this blog to be about dinner, but today we ventured into new territory and tried Bengal Tiger in the Roosevelt neighborhood (6510 Roosevelt Way NE). We ordered vegetable samosas, Rogan Josh with lamb, and Paneer Bruji, and the garlic basil naan.

I love how Indian food arrives in these tiny bowls and dishes, far smaller than any American entree that arrives. The amount seems small yet we’re always full and more often than not we overeat as well. Very tasty.Bengal Tiger, Roosevelt Neighborhood

Pizza Night

Last time we made pizza, we did a pizza margherita. It is my favorite. The husband grows basil and tomatoes in the side garden, so adding some fresh mozzarella balls from the Market is a breeze.

Last time we ordered pizza, I was all set to order the Verde Primo when the Pagliacci phone guy asked if I was interested in the seasonal special which was, what else, their version of a Margherita. I said yes. Nevermind that I just told you we can make a better version, and that we just made it.

So, tonight, when I suggested pizza for dinner, the husband got to choose the ingredients. Fine by me, because he has good taste: Maple sausage (chicken); sauteed Walla Walla sweet onions and crimini mushrooms; shredded Parmesan cheese; on an olive oil-based dough. I did the dough (thanks to our fancy bread machine…a wedding gift that gets a moderate amount of action).

Pizza (and the husband) Pizza, resting

Tonight’s entertainment: Disturbia. We watched Slither earlier in the day. Slither was better.