Roasted Vegetable Macaroni and Cheese

Yield: Makes 6 servings 

1 cup broccoli florets, chopped into small chunks 

1/2 red pepper, diced 

1 yellow squash, quartered and diced 

10 baby carrots, sliced thinly 

2 cups whole wheat pasta (elbow macaroni, rotini, penne, etc.) 

1/4 cup olive oil 

1 garlic clove, minced (or 1/4 tsp garlic powder)

3 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 

1 1/2 cups milk 

2 cups (8 oz.) cheddar cheese 

Salt and pepper, to taste 

2 Tbsp. panko breadcrumbs 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. 

Set a medium pot of salted water to boil. 

Prepare a large baking sheet by lining with aluminum foil and coating with a little olive oil or nonstick cooking spray. 

Toss broccoli, red pepper, squash and carrots onto the baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until vegetables have softened. Remove from oven and set aside. 

Once water is boiling, lower heat slightly and add pasta, cooking according to package instructions. Drain and set aside. 

Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. 

Once hot, add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. 

Gradually whisk in milk, stirring constantly until mixture is slightly thickened. Remove from heat. 

Stir in cheddar cheese until well distributed and melted. Add salt and pepper. 

Add macaroni and vegetables.

Place mixture in a large casserole dish and sprinkle with panko breadcrumbs. Place under the broiler in your oven (500 degrees) for 3-4 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Enjoy!

Summer Squash Quick Bread

Modified Recipe 1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour 1/2 Cup Sugar 1/2 Cup applesauce 1 1/2 Cup Grated Summer Squash 1 Large Egg 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon 1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg 1/2 Teaspoon Salt 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder 1/8 Cup Raw Oats Preheat oven to 325F and grease one 8"x4" loaf pan. Combine Sugar, Egg, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Grated Squash, Cinnamon and Nutmeg into a large bowl. With a fork, cream the ingredients until they are well incorporated. On top of the wet ingredients, sift flour and baking powder. Again, stir well until the mixture has formed a bread batter. Pour the squash bread mixture into the greased loaf pan. Smack the bottom of the pan against the counter a couple of times. This will release any air bubbles in the mixture. Sprinkle the top with oats and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a sharp knife can be inserted into the middle of the bread and removed cleanly. Cool on a baking rack for at least a half hour before cutting. Original Recipe: 1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour 1 Cup Sugar 1/2 Cup Vegetable Oil 1 1/2 Cup Grated Summer Squash 1 Large Egg 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon 1/2 Teaspoon Nutmeg 1/2 Teaspoon Salt 1 Teaspoon Baking Powder 1/4 Cup Raw Oats Preheat oven to 325F and grease one 8"x4" loaf pan. Combine Sugar, Egg, Vegetable Oil, Salt, Grated Squash, Cinnamon and Nutmeg into a large bowl. With a fork, cream the ingredients until they are well incorporated. On top of the wet ingredients, sift flour and baking powder. Again, stir well until the mixture has formed a bread batter. Pour the squash bread mixture into the greased loaf pan. Smack the bottom of the pan against the counter a couple of times. This will release any air bubbles in the mixture. Sprinkle the top with oats and bake for 50-60 minutes, or until a sharp knife can be inserted into the middle of the bread and removed cleanly. Cool on a baking rack for at least a half hour before cutting.

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

 

Slow Cooker Potato Soup

32 oz chicken broth
5 cups diced peeled russet potatoes (about 5 medium)
1.5 cups onions, chopped

Optional add-ins: 2 cups banana squash, ham, cheese
Optional topping: green onions

Put the broth, potatoes, and onions in slow cooker on low for 8 hours. (If using raw ham or raw squash, add those, too. Otherwise, add them just before blending.) Blend with immersion blender.

Slow Cooker Potato Soup (version 2)

Prep Time: 15 minis
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours, 15 mins

Ingredients
3 lbs gold potatoes peeled and chopped
10 slices cooked bacon broken into pieces
1 large onion diced
6 cloves garlic minced
6 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon dried parsley or 3 tablespoon fresh parsley
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon garlic salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
3 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 ⅓ cups sour cream
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
green onions for serving

Directions
Put the diced potatoes, bacon pieces, onions, garlic cloves, chicken broth, parsley, salt, garlic salt and pepper into the slow cooker. Reserve a bit of bacon for serving. Set to HIGH for 4 hours.
When the 4 hours is complete, mash the potatoes until you reach your desired consistency. Alternatively, use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth.
Stir in the sour cream and yogurt, mixing until well blended into the soup. Add shredded cheddar cheese and stir until melted and the broth is smooth.
Taste and season with more salt and pepper if desired. Serve topped with cheddar, green onions or chives, and bacon bits.