Crockpot Mac and Cheese

Drumroll...

Today I'm sharing the recipe of all recipes, crockpot mac and cheese. This recipe came to me by way of my sister, who has my husband's and my eternal gratitude, ha! This is a delicously fattening, amazingly crowd-pleasing side dish or main dish, depending on your preference. It's great for parties or just a lazy Sunday at home. I served it on Christmas Eve and the crowd went wild.

What we started with:


And now, without further ado, the recipe.

1 box of Rotini pasta
2 cups cheddar jack, shredded
2 cups Monterey jack, shredded
Half of a large block of Velveeta
3 cups milk
Garlic salt
Butter – ½ stick (optional)
Bread crumbs, any flavor (optional but highly recommended)

1. Boil a pot of water for the pasta.
2. Cook ½ time on box – usually about 7 minutes.
3. Strain pasta.
4. Place pasta and all ingredients in the crock pot, mixing together.
5. Cook on high for 2 hours or low for 4 hours.
6. If you put on low, make sure to check periodically, as it sometimes is done sooner.
7. Approximately 30-45 minutes before the macaroni and cheese is done, sprinkle breadcrumbs on top.
8. When breadcrumbs are crispy, it is ready.

I assure you, this recipe is the bomb. Yes, I am going so far as to use outdated 90's slang because...well because it really is the bomb. Unfortunately like a fool, I forgot to take a photo of the final product. The next time I make it, I will update and bump up this post.

Steamed Red Potatoes & Green Beans

So my new found adventurous attitude toward fruits and veggies continues. Tonight I made myself a hypocrite by sort of creating my own recipe. I think I might have effed it up a little though. I'll get to that though.

I love potatoes, pretty much in any form except scalloped or Au gratin. Never cared for either of those. But I digress. Since I'm on the Weight Watcher bandwagon, I've been sticking with red potatoes. So I decided to start there. Then I picked my dreaded green veggie. I chose green beans, as evidenced by the title of the post.

Here's what we started with:

And here's where it went:

1 lb red potatoes6 ounces fresh green beans
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
2 teaspoons dried rosemary
1 tablespoon olive oil

1. Wash veggies.
2. Half, then quarter potatoes and snap ends off beans3. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Toss to coat, mixing well.
4. Steam potatoes only in electric steamer for 30 minutes.
5. When potatoes have 10 minutes left, add green beans, carefully mixing (so as not to break the potatoes)
6. Pierce a potato with a fork to test for doneness.

So, the way I effed up is a) too much olive oil and b) too much garlic! W

hen I made the recipe I used double the garlic and double the oil. I'm still not 100% sold on green beans, but what can ya do? I have to abide by the Weight Watcher gods.

The finished product: