Creamy Mac and Cheese
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Rub the inside of a 2-quart casserole with butter or cooking spray. Cook ½ lb macaroni according to package directions. Drain and reserve 1 cup of pasta water. Make topping by melting ½ stick of butter in a small saucepan. Add 1 sleeve of crushed saltine crackers and cook for about 5 minutes. Set aside. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small saucepan. Whisk in 2 tablespoons flour and cook 1 minute. Whisk in ¾ cup milk, ¾ cup heavy cream, and ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add 2 cups cheddar cheese and 4 oz cream cheese, stirring until melted. If it seems too thick, add some reserved pasta water. Mix with macaroni. Place in buttered dish. Add cracker topping and bake 20 minutes.
Sassy Grilled Spareribs
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rub 1½ tablespoons rosemary and 4 cloves minced garlic all over ribs (6 lbs). Season with salt and pepper. Place on baking sheet, meaty side down. Bake for 1 hour, turning after 30 minutes. Combine 2/3 cup dark brown sugar, ½ cup Dijon mustard, 1/3 cup cider vinegar, 2 tablespoons molasses, and 1 tablespoon dry mustard in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer over low heat. Set aside to cool. Heat grill. Place ribs on grill, meaty-side up. Spread 1/3 of glaze on ribs. Cook about 5 minutes or until bottom is crisp. Turn ribs over. Spread other side with 1/3 of glaze, and cook about 5 more minutes. Turn, spread on remaining glaze, and cook 5 additional minutes. Transfer to platter and serve with a side like grilled red potatoes.
Oven-Fried Chicken Legs
Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray. Combine ½ tablespoon of white vinegar with enough milk to make ½ cup (or use ½ cup buttermilk instead of the milk and vinegar mixture). Whisk together milk and vinegar mixture with one egg white. Finely crush 1 cup of cornbread stuffing. Combine with 1 cup flour and a little salt and pepper in a second bowl. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken legs with salt. Dredge in milk mixture and then in the flour mixture. Add to pan and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes, turning so each side is browned. Place chicken on baking sheet. Spray lightly with cooking spray and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until chicken is done.
Meatloaf Muffins
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Combine ¼ cup brown sugar, ¼ cup yellow mustard, ¼ cup ketchup, and set aside. This is your topping. Combine 3 slices of torn bread, ¾ cup milk and 2 beaten eggs in a large bowl and mash it. Add 2 lb ground beef, ½ cup finely chopped onion, and mix until blended. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon mixture into muffin tin lightly coated with cooking spray (approximately ½-cup portions). Spoon 1 teaspoon of sauce on top of each meatloaf muffin. Cook 25 to 30 minutes or until done.
Simple Apple Crisp
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix together 1 cup flour, 1 cup sugar, and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Add 1 egg and mix until it forms a crumb-like mixture. Grease 8-in square pan. Peel and slice 6 apples and place in pan. Top with crumb mixture. Drizzle ½ cup melted butter on top and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes (375 degrees for glass pan). Serve warm with ice cream and whipped cream.
