Mac n Cheese Serves 6 to 8 1 box of pasta – elbows or shells , cooked and cooled ¼ cup butter 3 Tbs flour 2 cups milk 8 oz cream cheese 2 cup cheddar shredded ½ tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper 2 tsp mustard ( yellow or brown ) 2 cups fresh breadcrumbs ( plain store bought will do ) 2 Tbs butter 2 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
Preheat oven 350 degrees In saucepan melt ¼ cup of butter , stir in flour and cook to smooth and bubbly on med heat . Stir in milk , cream cheese , salt , pepper , mustard . Cook on medium heat until thicken . 3 to 4 minutes .
Stir in cooked pasta and shredded cheddar . Pour into 2-quart casserole .
In bowl , mix breadcrumbs , 2 Tbs melted butter and parsley . Sprinkle on top and bake uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes until golden brown .
Sweet Potato Pie Serves 6 to 8
2 cups sweet potato cooked and smashed ½ cup butter , room temp . ½ cup sugar , ( ¼ c white , ¼ c brown sugar for richer flavor ) 2 eggs , room temp . 1 tsp . nutmeg 1 tsp . cinnamon ½ tsp . salt 2 Tbs maple syrup 1 tsp . vanilla extract
Pie Pastry
Makes 1 shell ( double recipe for top and bottom )
1 ½ cup flour 1 Tbs sugar ¼ cup butter ( chill or freeze it ) ¼ cup shortening ( flatten on wax paper and freeze it ) ¼ cup ice cold water ½ tsp salt 1 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup evaporated milk 9 inch pie crust ( see recipe below )
Cream butter and sugar . Add eggs , mix well . Add evaporated milk , mix well . Add all other ingredients , mix well . Place in prepared pie shell and bake 425 degrees for 15 minutes then at
350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes Toothpick should come out clean when testing the middle .
Add all dry ingredients in mixing bowl or food processor . Using a stand mixer , use low speed Using a food processor , use pulse button Using your hands , work quickly pitching butter into flour
Cut butter into 8 cubed pieces . Add to flour mixture and blend for 30 seconds . Cut shortening into 8 pieces . Add to flour mixture , blend another 30 seconds . Mixture should be crumbly with very small pieces of butter still left . Continue to mix adding ice water plus vanilla , 2 Tbs at a time until dough starts to form . Gather mixture , pressing firmly to form a ball . Place between wax paper or plastic wrap and flatten into a disk shape about ½ thick . Place in fridge for 20 to 30 minutes .
Roll out dough following receipt directions . ¼ inch thick , 1 inch wider than the pie pan being used .
( Lightly flouring dough while rolling out or place dough between wax paper will make the dough easier to manage )
30 • SEKY - Life in Southeast Kentucky november 2022