Banana Bread

 An excess of bananas led to to this one. Pretty basic.

Quick note: the recipe is recommended for a 8.5" x 4.5" inch loaf pan. I only have a 9" x 5" pan, so I doubled it. It tasted great but I did not accommodate for that in the timing. So note to self: ALSO DOUBLE THE COOK TIME!

1/3 cup butter, melted

3/4 cup sugar (if doubling, I recommend cutting down on the sugar by a 1/4 cup or so)

3 bananas VERY RIPE

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 1/2 cups flour

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2. Prepare loaf pan with butter, oil or butter flavored pam.

3. In mixing bowl, combine melted butter and sugar.

4. Mash bananas and mix into butter and sugar.

5. Add egg and vanilla.

6. Mix in baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and flour.

7. Pour batter into prepared loaf pan.

8. Bake for 40 minutes or so until toothpick or fork comes out clean.

9. Remove from oven and completely cool.

Chay's Creamy Mac n' Cheese

 Chay requested homemade macaroni and cheese for dinner yesterday. So I made this one and he said, "Thanks, mom. This is exactly what I was looking for." 

Warmed my heart. 

1 lb. dried macaroni 

1/2 cup unsalted butter 

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1 1/2 cups whole milk

2 1/2 cups half and half

6 cups shredded block cheese (I used sharp cheddar, mild cheddar and monterey jack)

Salt and Pepper

Paprika

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and grease a 9x13 baking dish.

2. Shred cheeses and toss together to mix.

3. Bring large pot of water to a boil. Add salt and cook 1 minute less than the package directs. Drain.

4. Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and whisk to combine for approximately 1 minute, whisking often. Slowly pour in the half and half, whisking constantly until smooth. Slowly pour in the whole milk, while whisking constantly. Continue to heat over medium heat until thickened to a very thick consistency.

5. Remove from heat and stir in spices and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese, stirring to combine fully. Stir in another 1 1/2 cups of cheese, and stir until completely melted and smooth.

6. Add the pasta to the cheese sauce. Pour half of the pasta mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with a layer of cheese, then to[ with remaining pasta mixture.

7. Sprinkle the top with the last of the cheese and bake for 15 minutes. If not golden brown, place under the broiler for 2 minutes.