Foodie Friday: Butternut Mac and Cheese

It's been awhile since we featured a recipe on Foodie Friday.  So, I thought I would post what I made earlier this week that *gasp* all the kids had seconds of.

Ingredients:

1lb pasta cooked until tender (use your favorite kind or none at all)

bacon (everything is better with bacon)
butternut squash peeled and diced
mushrooms
green onions
kale

about 2 Tbsp butter
about 2 Tbsp arrowroot powder (or flour, you're making a rue sauce)
about 2 cups milk
shredded cheddar cheese

*Notice I didn't list exact amounts.  I usually use up what is on hand or guesstimate based on what I know my kids will eat =)

Fry up that bacon and butternut squash.  I prefer the squash when it has some nice browning on it, but you only have to cook it until it's tender.  Add in the mushrooms and green onions (I chopped mine up in a Ninja so the kids wouldn't see it ;) ).  Cook until tender.  Add in the kale and simmer until tender.

Mix the squash mixture and the pasta together.  Set aside.

Melt some butter in a pan and add arrowroot powder until you get a nice think paste.  Slowly add the milk and whisk until it thickens over low heat.  Remove from heat and add cheese.  Mix (probably don't want to use the whisk now) until the cheese is melted and then add to the pasta mixture.

Season to taste and serve.

This took about 30 minutes to throw together and about 15 minutes to eat.

Did you make this?  What did you think of it?

Sweet Potato Chili

I love Fall.  It's my favorite season of the year: I adore the changing leaves, the coolness of the air after a LONG and HOT Summer, finally getting to slip on jeans and boots; sometimes even a long sleeve shirt.  Then there's the leaves as the slowly change from green to gold, crimson, and fiery orange.  

Yes, I'm so very thankful for Fall!  

A few weeks ago one of my friends, Christiaan (Yes, that's how you spell her name.  Isn't it so cool!), mentioned her family's new recipe; Sweet Potato Chili.  This intrigued me so I demanded nicely asked for the recipe.  After reading it I decided that this is a recipe for all of you.  It's fast, easy, and tastes like Fall in a bowl.  My kids all ate it and a few of them had seconds (one even had thirds).  If you are in a hurry just throw it in the slow cooker on low and it will be ready when you get home.  I made it on the stove and it was done in less than thirty minutes. 

Sweet Potato Chili

2lbs ground meat

Chili Seasoning (I just used chili powder, turmeric, garlic, and cumin)

4 Sweet Potatoes, peeled and cubed

4 cans diced tomatoes with juice

2 cups bone broth

1/2 tsp allspice

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp cloves

garlic powder or fresh garlic to taste

salt and pepper to taste

Brown the ground meat with chili seasoning.  While meat is browning peel and dice sweet potatoes.  Once meat is browned add sweet potatoes, diced tomatoes, bone broth and seasonings.  Cover and simmer until potatoes are soft.