MIchael Symon's Broccoli, Bacon and Cheddar Pasta

So although Aaron didn't like this, the rest of us really did.  I found this in 5 in 5 cookbook, and Michael Symon describes this as a take on broccoli with cheese sauce, and I agree that's what it tastes like.  Noah gave it a perfect 10, Owen and I gave it a 9, Jonah seemed to really like it, but Aaron gave it a 4, oh well.  Anyway, each serving, for 8 servings, was 497 calories.  Here's what to do:

13 oz penne (my box was that size and whole grain, use a full package of whatever kind you would like)
salt
6 T bacon fat (reserved from cooking bacon)
8 slices bacon
1 bag steamed broccoli, about 3 cups
3/4 c pine nuts
8 oz shredded aged cheddar cheese
dash of red pepper flakes

Cook penne according to directions for al dente pasta.  Reserve 1 c pasta water, and set aside.

Cook the bacon until crisp, then add in the pine nuts and broccoli, cooking about 2 minutes.  Add in the reserved pasta water and deglaze the pan, then add in the cheddar and red pepper flakes.  Stir in the pasta, then serve.

Flour's Cheddar Scallion Scones

I grew up eating a cheesy onion bread made from Bisquick, and it was one of our family's favorite things.  This reminds me of that bread, and I think this was even better, although not everyone else agreed with me.  Aaron gave these a 5, Owen gave them a 7, and Noah and I gave them an 8.  I thought the cornmeal was a little bit distracting, but I liked everything else.  This comes from Flour's cookbook, and again, that is such a great cookbook!  Each scone was 351 calories, and it makes 8 scones.

1 3/4 c flour
1/2 c medium-coarse yellow corn meal
1 1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/2 t salt
1/4 t cumin
3 oz cheddar cheese, diced
5 green onions, minced
1/2 c cold unsalted butter, cut into 8-10 pieces
1/2 c cold buttermilk
1/2 c sour cream
1 cold egg
1 egg yolk, lightly beaten

Preheat the oven to 350.  Using a paddle attachment on a stand mixer, mix together the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cumin, cheese, and scallions on low speed for 10-15 seconds.  Scatter the butter over the top and beat on low speed for about 30 seconds, or until the butter is broken down to grape-size pieces.  Whisk together the buttermilk, sour cream, and the whole egg until thoroughly mixed.  Pour the buttermilk mixture into the flour mixture and beat for about 30 seconds.  Turn the dough several times in the bowl to pick up the extra flour.  Dump the dough onto a baking sheet and pat it into an 8 inch circle about 1 inch thick.  Brush the egg yolk evenly over the entire top of the dough circle.  Cut the circle into 8 wedges, then bake for 40-50 minutes or until the entire circle is golden brown.  Cool for 30 minutes, then cut and serve.

We spread ours with some butter, and ate with our dinner.  Yummy!!!

Picky Palate's Buttery Cheddar-Garlic Biscuits

Picky Palate's biscuits are great, the only problem I had was they were a little salty.  The flavor is good, the texture was great, and the boys and I and Aaron really liked them.  We gave them a solid 8, because they were salty, and we will have them again.
We made 8 biscuits, and each biscuit was 228 calories.

Here's what to do:
1 1/4 c flour
2 T baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/4 t cream of tartar
1/4 t garlic salt
8 T unsalted butter, diced
3/4 c cheddar cheese
3/4 c buttermilk

Preheat the oven to 450 and grease a large baking sheet.  Add the flour, baking powder, salt, cream of tartar, and garlic salt to a large bowl and stir to combine.  Cut in the butter, then stir in the cheddar and buttermilk, stirring until just combined.  Press dough to 1/2 in ch thickness.  Cut out 8 biscuits and cook for 10-12 minutes.

Fish and Scones

We had some really yummy food tonight.  We had my favorite fish recipe, Easy Baked Parmesan Tilapia, which is my go to recipe because it's fast, easy, and only 150 calories per serving (a serving is what is pictured).  I love eating this fish.  I give it a perfect 10, Aaron gives it a 7 because he doesn't like fish very much, and same with Noah, and Owen gave the fish an 8.
Our bread was more popular with the guys, Bacon, Cheddar and Chive Scones, it received an 8 from Aaron, Noah and I and a 9 from Owen.  For 1/4 of the halved recipe (I cut the recipe in 1/2), the calories were 418.  This bread had lots of flavor, but I rolled it out too thin, so it didn't rise like it's supposed to.  The crispy bread still tasted good and we all enjoyed it.

Tomorrow we're having the Tunell special :) chicken and rice and some blackberry ice cream.