Bacon & Herb Mac 'N' Cheese

Bacon & Herb Mac 'N' Cheese  This came from my friend Janiel.  She found it in a magazine years ago.  This is so yummy.  She and her husband love it and the little kids hate it.  Sounds yummy to me too, Janiel.

12 oz. elbow macaroni (I used bow tie pasta one time and liked it)

3 strips of bacon

3Tbsp. melted butter, divided

1/4 C chopped mix fresh herbs such as tarragon, parsley, chives, and or rosemary

1/4 C chopped green onions

2 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 C of each-- Brie cheese and cream cheese, cut up into chunks

1/2 C shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1/2 C plain dried bread crumbs

Preheat oven on broil. Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain.

Meanwhile, fry bacon until crisp; then drain on paper towels, reserving 1 Tbsp. grease.  Set bacon aside (crumble).

In warm pasta pot, mix reserved grease, 2 Tbsp butter, the herbs, onions, garlic and soft cheeses.

Mix in warm pasta and bacon. Spoon into 4 ramekins (1 1/2 C size); sprinkle with cheddar cheese.

In small bowl, combine remaining 1Tbls butter and the bread crumbs, stirring to combine. Sprinkle evenly over cheese.

Broil ramekins until golden and bubbling. About 3 minutes.

NOTE: I never did put it into the ramekins. I just put it all in a 9x13 baking dish.

Sweet Rosemary Rolls

 

Sweet Rosemary Rolls  I got this from a magazine a couple of years ago, but I don’t remember which one.

1 package dry active yeast

¼ cup honey

1 ½ cups warm water

2 tsp olive oil

1 tsp salt

1 6-inch sprig fresh rosemary, fine chopped, or 2 Tbsp. dried

1 ½ cups whole wheat flour

2 to 3 cups flour

In a medium mixing bowl, combine yeast, honey, and water.  Cover and set aside in a warm place for 10 minutes, or until foamy.  Add oil, salt, rosemary, and whole wheat flour and mix well.  Stir in white flour ½ cup at a time until a stiff dough has formed.

Turn out dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes, adding flour as necessary, until dough is smooth and elastic.  Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a towel, and set in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Punch down and shape into 8 balls and place on a greased baking sheet.  I make about 30 small balls and place them in a greased cake pan. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.

Bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.

Note:  When I make this in my Kitchen Aid, I skip the hand kneading. I don’t place it in an oiled bowl either.  I leave it in the Kitchen Aid bowl and cover it with a towel.  I always use fresh rosemary.