Recipes that Serve

Last year I was blessed with a gift & the opportunity to pass it on.  When my father passed away last year several friends prepared meals for my family.  My mind was in a million places and it was so nice to sit down with my husband and daughters for a home cooked meal in the midst of all that was going on.  Later in the year I was able to pass this gift on to a couple of friends & family.  It was as enjoyable to do this for someone else as it was to receive this heartfelt gift…maybe more.  Here is a great way to serve someone in need of a home cooked meal and some extra time.  

Ham Mac&Cheese Casserole 

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    • disposable or gift-able 2 quart baking dish
      • 5 tbs butter, divided
      • 3 tbs flour
      • 2 1/2 cups half&half
      • 1 lb cheddar cheese shredded
      • 1/2 lb colby cheese shredded
      • 1 tbs spicy mustard
      • dash each of nutmeg, cayenne pepper, salt & pepper
      • 1 lb elbow macaroni
      • 1lb chopped, precooked ham
      • 3/4 cup breadcrumbs

1. Cook elbow macaroni in large pot of salted water.  Drain very well and return noodles to pot. 
2. Melt 3 tbs of butter in a large sauce pan.  Add flour and cook on medium heat for two minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Add half&half and whisk until thickened (about 2 minutes).
4. Reduce heat to low.  Add half of cheddar cheese and half of colby cheese, stirring until cheeses are melted. 
5. Stir in mustard, nutmeg, cayeene, salt and pepper to taste.
6. Add cheese sauce to pot of cooked macaroni.  Add ham and remaining cheddar and colby cheeses.  Stir until well mixed.
7. Generously butter the baking dish.  Add macaroni mixture.
8. In the microwave melt remaining 2 tbs butter in a small bowl.
9. Add breadcrumbs and mix well.
10. Sprinkle buttery crumbs over the macaroni.

This is where you stop in order to gift this recipe.  This prepared dish can be refrigerated for two days before cooking to completion.  When I make this as a gift, I allow it to cool on the counter completely.  Wrap the baking dish tightly with heavy duty tin foil.  Then I write the final steps for cooking on tin foil in permanent marker.  Here are the final steps:

1. Pull dish out of fridge and allow it to reach room temperature.
2. Preheat over to 350.
3. Bake uncovered 45 minutes, until bubbly on top.
4. Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.

I add a pre-packaged salad mix, a loaf of french bread from the grocery bakery.  I also like to add a sweet treat for after dinner.  One of my favorites in White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies.  You can find this recipe under the “Desserts” category. 

I like to think that a little love goes into the meals I prepare.  The gift of dinner is a way to say “I love you” and “you are special to me.”  And life if full of times when we need to hear, or taste those sentiments.  Enjoy!

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” -1Peter 4:10

A speical “Thank you!” to the Young family and the McCumbee family for the gift of dinner, love and support in 2010 when my family needed it the most!”

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