Gorgonzola Cheddar Shells with Kale and Bacon

It's been awhile since I've posted but this recipe needs to be recorded!

1/2 large bunch of kale

1 tbsp. salt

1 lb. medium shell pasta

7 slices bacon

3 tbsp. butter

1/4 c. flour

2 1/2 c. milk

2 1/2 c. extra sharp cheddar

5 oz. gorgonzola, crumbled

1/4 cup bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350F.

Rinse and chop kale into 1-inch pieces, put in colander and set in sink.

Heat a large pot of water in a pasta pot to boiling, add 1 tbsp. salt. Cook pasta to al dente. When pasta is done, pour into colander with kale in it to parboil the kale while draining the pasta. Stir together and leave in colander.

Cook bacon in skillet and set aside on paper towels. Drain most of the bacon grease out and let bacon cool. In the same skillet, add butter. 

Sprinkle flour over butter and whisk together, let bubble for 2 minutes. Whisk in milk.

Bring to a boil, then simmer for 3 minutes until thickened.

Reduce heat to low, stir in all of the blue cheese and 2 cups of cheddar. Stir until melted.

Crumble the bacon into bits by crumpling paper towels into a ball. Repeat until all bacon is crumbled.

Pour the pasta and kale mixture into the cheese sauce and add bacon. (I added my pasta and kale in two batches so it didn't get too messy). Spoon into 13x9 casserole dish and mix thoroughly.

Sprinkle a thin layer of breadcrumbs and the remaining 1/2 cup of cheddar on top.

Bake for 15 minutes, then broil for 2 minutes, just until browned. Watch carefully so it does not burn.

Process photos:

Rinse 1/2 bunch of chopped kale in colander. Cook 1 lb medium pasta shells to al dente, then drain into kale. 

Cook bacon in skillet. First time using my new cast iron pan. Smoky!

Shred 2 1/2 cups cheddar and crumble the 5 oz. gorgonzola.

Drain most of the bacon grease out of pan. Add 3 tbsp butter and 1/2 cup flour to make a roux. Cook a few minutes, then slowly whisk in milk. Let simmer until thickened, about 3 minutes. Turn heat to low and add gorgonzola and 2 cups of the cheddar. Stir until melted.

Add pasta and kale to sauce. (I did mine in two batches so it was less messy).

To crumble bacon, simply crumple the paper towel the cooked slices are on. Add bacon to pasta mixture and mix together. Spoon into 13x9 casserole. Add second half of pasta to sauce and mix. Add to 13x9 casserole. Mix pasta together to evenly distribute the bacon.

Sprinkle 1/4 c. breadcrumbs and remaining 1/2 c. cheddar on top. Bake at 350F for 15 minutes. Then broil until browned, about 2 minutes. Watch carefully to prevent burning.

Finished plate!

Beer Battered Fish Tacos

Fish tacos were requested this evening, so I decided to try my hand at a beer batter, and the results were fantastic! I was told this was the best thing I have ever made for dinner. This recipe makes A LOT! So you can cut it in half if you're not having a fish taco party. :)

Ingredients:

2 cups flour

2 tsp ground mustard

2 tsp chili powder

2 tsp cayenne pepper

1 1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder

1 1/4 cup beer (hoppy beer makes the batter fluffy!)

2 eggs

2 lbs. white fish (like cod or tilapia), cut into strips

tortillas

Toppings:
sour cream

cheese

guacamole/avocados

lime wedges

pico de gallo

salsa

cilantro

Sweet Potato & Corn Quesadillas

I really have to thank my friend Meg for inspiring this recipe. She made me sweet potato & corn quesadillas a couple years ago and they were so tasty! I don't remember her process so I made up my own, and this is what I came up with.

Ingredients:

3 tbsp. oil

2 cloves garlic

 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes

2 green onions, chopped

1 cup frozen corn

1/2 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp. salt

1/8 tsp pepper

8 tortillas (I used soft taco size)

8 oz cheddar, shredded

Cooking spray

sour cream and hot sauce for garnish

Fish Tacos with Corn Salsa

This one is super quick, easy and healthy too!

Ingredients

For the fish:

2 lbs white fish filets (tilapia, cod, mahi mahi, catfish, or snapper)

2 limes, cut into wedges

3 garlic cloves, minced

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp garlic salt

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

4 tbsp oil

Corn Salsa:

1 cup corn

1/2 red onion, diced

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 jalapeno, diced finely

soft tortillas

Garnishes:

avocado

sour cream

hot sauce

salsa

shredded cheese

Chuck Wagon Stew

Here is a quick and easy one that I am told is a kid pleaser. Super filling and tasty. Serve over rice or by itself.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 lb. ground beef or turkey

1/2 onion, diced

2 potatoes, peeled and cubed

1/2 lb. green beans

2 carrots, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

14 oz can diced tomatoes

1/2 cup frozen corn

1/4 tsp dried oregano

1/4 tsp dried basil

1/2 tsp. onion powder

14 oz can beef or chicken broth