Mac and Cheese with Shrimp

My husband loves shrimp and my girls love mac and cheese. I decided to combine them.

This turned out spectacular.T

My husband and kiddos devoured their food like vultures. I take this as a 5 star review on my meal.

This meal is quick, easy and decedent. What more would you want?


Mac and Cheese with Shrimp

1 box of noodles
1 stick of butter
1/4 cp. flour
1 quart of milk
2 cps. Gruyer Cheese
4 cps. Chedder Cheese
1 - 2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1/2 cp. Asiago + 1/4 cp Asiago
1 cp. panko

1lb. steamed shrimp (I bamboo steamed my shrimp as I boiled the pasta. If you do not have a bamboo steamer....Invest in one. They rock.)

1. Add the milk to a pan and warm. Do not boil. Boil the pasta until Al dente
2. Add the butter and then whisk in the flour. Add the hot milk. Add the cheeses: all of the chedder and Gruyer. Add only 1/2 a cp. of the asiago. salt and pepper.
3. Add the pasta. Then transfer to a large pan. I used my Le Creuset Cast Iron. Combine the planko and the Asiago cheese and top the mac and cheese.
4. Bake on 350 for about 30-45 minutes. When it is crusty on the top and bubbly around the sides.

When I removed the mac and cheese I stirred in the steamed shrimp for the hubby.
I added a little heat. I added Old Bay to the steamed shrimp.

I hope you everyone will enjoy!

Review: Viking 5 QT Stand Mixer

What do we know about the Viking Company? Other than every Food Network kitchen and five-star homemaker, the start is quite noble and familiar; a husband wanting to appease his wife. Fed E Carl Jr. was a fourth generation building contractor. While performing and ambitious designing/building of their new home in the 1980’s, The Mr. & Mrs. had a major dilemma.

Fred wanted a commercial range without the dangers of the extreme heat and high energy output. Fred’s wife wanted old chambers range*.

He decided to combine both needs and designed the first high-end residential range – a heavy duty, high performance, and stylish - to achieve the commercial kitchen greatness and removing the shortcomings.

Fred went into mass production in January of 1987 calling his company “Viking”. Yes, American Made!

In 2002, Viking joined the market of selling culinary products such as mixer, toasters, blenders, food processors and other kitchen necessities.

To this day, Viking is passing on Fred’s passion for professional quality and durability to the pro’s, amateurs, and coinsures.

I adore my Viking 5 qt. Stand mixer for numerous reasons: 1) it’s presence is confident and bold 2) the operations are powerful and smooth 3) it’s simple, and 4.)gracefully glides on wheels across the countertop.

Versatility in attachments such as food grinder, shredder, and pasta maker really ratchet up the deal compared to multiple second tier machines. You all know the reputation.

Fred gave his wife what she wanted. I think along the same lines, right Geoff? Hint. Hint.

www.vikingrange.com

* The Chambers stove is a generic name for several different kitchen cooking appliances sold under the Chambers brand name from 1912 to approximately 1988. Their ranges and stand-alone ovens were known for their patented insulation methods, which enabled them to cook on retained heat with the fuel turned off. – via Wikipedia

Awards

I received two awards this week. One award was from Gypsy Mommy's Kitchen (http://gypsymommyskitchen.blogspot.com/)and the other from Jenn @ Bread and Butter (http://breadplusbutter.blogspot.com/).

I am very flattered and honored. I started my blog in middle of April. It has been three in half months and I am thrilled at the accomplishments. My site averages 250-300 hits a day which I think is a vast amount. I hope it continues to increase. I love passing on the passion for cooking. It has received three awards and my recipes have entered Top 9 numerous of times.

I want to thank everyone who faithfully follows my site. Everyone has been so incredible. Thank you very much.....

Award Rules:
1. Thank the person who nominated you for this award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link to the person who nominated you for this award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on each of the blogs letting them know they have been nominated

First thing is first....I have to tell everyone 7 things about myself that they may not know:

1. I am a twin. When my husband first met her he was dumbfounded. We use to play tricks on boyfriends and teachers in HS. We live far apart now. (I live in FL and she lives in OH). It is very hard to be so far away.

2. I grew up in a farm town in OH. I love OH, but my husband packed us up for a job opportunity in 06. We have now lived in FL for almost three yrs.

3. I have two baby girls: Alexandra, 4yrs old and Bailey Leland, 18 months.

4. I have inherited the passion for cooking from my mother. My mom still cooks amazing dinners. I remember when I was growing up she made everything from scratch: Egg noodles, Tomato Sauce, Jam, and so on.

5. I have two BA's. I have a BA in Criminology and BA in Psychology. I was a counselor for drug addicted teens until I had my first baby in 05. I have been a stay at home mom since. My greatest accomplishment is my children.

My husband also graduated with a BA in Criminology. That is where we met. We walked down the isle together for our diploma in 03

6.I am in an amazing stay at home mommy group. At each I bring goodies.

7. I might have to move to Gainesville, FL in September for only a yr. CRAZINESS

My nomintations

1. NataliesKillerCuisine @ http://natalieskillercuisine.blogspot.com/

This site is always full of funny stories and great recipes.

2. Cookin Canuck @ http://cookincanuck.blogspot.com/

This is by far one of my fav. sites to visit.

3. Spork and Foon's @ http://sporkandfoon.typepad.com/

This site always contains great recipes...

4. Cajun Chef Ryan @ http://cajunchefryan.rymocs.com/blog2/

I love spicy...He always has great eats.

5. Kiss my Spatula @ http://kissmyspatula.com/

Always sharing unique tasteful dishes.

6. Brown Eyed Baker @ http://www.browneyedbaker.com/

Has the best cookies, cakes and yummies

7. Heavenly Housewife @ http://www.donutstodelirium.com/

She is always witty and creative. I love her site.

Thanks to everyone and love ya all!!!!