Cheesyroni with Ham

Friday nights and comfort food just go together... and you don't get much more comforting than mac and cheese.  Tangystringycheesydeliciousness!  Add a salad and you have a complete meal.  One of our favorite movies is on..."Shawshank Redemption", so I better go.  Y'all have a great one! 

Cheesyroni with Ham

Yield: 8 servings

Ingredients

1 13.25 oz. box whole grain elbow macaroni

4 T unsalted butter
¼ c all-purpose flour
2 ½ c milk (I used 2%)
¾ t salt, plus 1 t extra for pasta water
¾ t garlic powder
½ t white pepper
½ t paprika
½ dried thyme
4 c grated cheese (I used a combination of cheddar and mozzarella)
3 c cubed ham

Method

·         Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

·         Prepare macaroni as directed adding salt to the recommended amount of water, drain and hold until needed.  

·         Heat milk in a pan or microwave and have ready to the side. 

·         Melt butter in another pan, add flour and stir until thoroughly combined. 

·         Add milk stirring with a whisk until smooth and thickened. 

·         Add salt, white pepper, garlic powder, paprika and thyme and stir until combined. 

·         Add 3 c cheese and stir until smooth. 

·         Add prepared macaroni and ham and stir until combined. 

·         Pour into a baking pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. 

·         Sprinkle remaining 1 c of cheese on top and bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes.

·         Cut into portions, serve and enjoy!           

~CGJ

 

Southern Colcannon

Colcannon is a tradition Irish dish made from mashed potatoes and kale or cabbage, cream, salt, pepper, butter and often ham or bacon.  In a mood to repurpose leftover "Greens", I thought I would make Colcannon and "Dixie it up a bit".  I had previously cooked a pot of combined turnip and collard greens...spiked with smoked ham.  If you do not have access to fresh greens, I would recommmend a canned option such as any made by "Glory Foods".  

http://www.gloryfoods.com/products/seasoned-southern-greens-and-spinach/

This week everyone that isn't Irish is for one day and everyone that is... celebrates even harder.  My heritage inspired me to reinterpret this Irish classic and in using greens... brings it home even more. 

Oh, my Gleason (Gleeson) roots lead me back to Tipperary, in "Southern" Ireland. 

Happy Lá Fhéile Pádraig!

Southern Colcannon

(4 Main Servings or 6 to 8 Side Servings)

2 pounds washed, cubed potatoes (I used Yukon Gold, unpeeled)

1/4 c salted butter

5 cloves garlic, finely minced

2 cups drained cooked greens with ham or (1) 27 oz. can drained, *finely chopped

1 1/2 t Kosher salt

1/2 t ground black pepper

1/2 c fat free half and half

More butter

Place cubed potatoes in a microwave safe dish with a splash of water and cook covered on high for 10 minutes.

In the meanwhile, place 1/4 c of butter in a pan, heat until melted.

Add garlic and saute for 2 minutes, until soft.

Add greens, salt and pepper, continue to saute stirring until fully heated through.

Add cooked potatoes plus half and half.  With heat on low use a hand held mixer or stick blender to combine all and until potatoes are smooth.  Serve with additional butter.

*Tip - I use a pizza cutter to finely cut the greens and ham

Enjoy

~CGJ