Thursday, October 21, 2010

Serenity Now: Bacon and Jalapeño Mac 'n' Cheese

Did you ever seen the "Serenity Now" Seinfeld episode?



All week long I've been whispering under my breath, "serenity now".

Too many deadlines, piles and piles of mail to go through, random cat fur balls in the corner of the livingroom, a counter that needs to be cleared off and laundry to the brim. People dancing on my last nerve.  Serenity now.

All I want to do is bake heaps of peanut butter cookies with mounds of chocolate in the center...and eat them all.  Food is not the answer.  Well maybe it is a little.  The Chef's cat has taken up residence on my lap - all day long.  She's nothing like my cats who are content to sit at my feet.  Instead she wants to be body half on the computer, body half on me slowly inching closer and closer to the keys until she finally goes in for the swat!  Not so helpful when you're trying to get a project accomplished, much less a blog post.  Last night it became apparent around, oh, eight o'clock that I was near the end of my rope.  I heard some clanking in the kitchen, but blocked it out.  A short while later a knock at the door brought one of my faves.  

The picture does not do this dish justice, but last night it was not about pictures or blog posts or making things pretty.  Last night was about reality.  And much needed serenity now.

Bacon and Jalapeño Mac 'n' Cheese
(which the Chef so aptly called:  
'Mac for you that I didn't get any of since I drank the last Hansen's').
It's a cat eat cat around here for the last Mandarin Orange soda.
 I lost out on the soda.  He lost out on the Mac.  
His choice on the latter. I didn't fight him on it.

Bacon and Jalapeño Mac 'n' Cheese
Ingredients: Serves 4

4C Macaroni noodles cooked (we use Ancient Harvest Gluten-Free Quinoa Elbow Macaroni)

*Sauce
6 Strips bacon chopped
3 Red 3 Green Jalapeño - seeds removed and small diced
2T Flour
2C Heavy cream
1C Aged white cheddar grated salt and pepper to taste

*Crust
1/2C Bread crumbs
1/4C Aged white cheddar grated
2T Butter softened
1T Cilantro chopped

Method
Crust
Combine all ingredients together.

Sauce
Preheat oven to 400.  Sauté bacon on low heat till crispy.  Add the jalapeno's and cook for 3 more minutes.  Stir in flour (he used my gluten free flour blend from an earlier post) and continue cooking for 5 minutes.  Slowly drizzle in the cream while stirring.  Bring the cream mixture to a boil then reduce to simmer for 5 minutes.  Turn off heat and whisk in cheese. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Hold warm.

To Finish
Place cooked noodles in desired cooking vessel.  Ladle sauce over noodles to cover.  Sprinkle crust over top.  Bake in oven 8-10 minutes till golden brown and bubbly.

Why do you think it is that people persist in being annoying over the pettiest of things?  Especially when they know exactly what they're doing, but think they're so smart that no one can see it?  It amazes me. One would think that with all the sad and more important things going on in the world focus would lie on those matters - rather than acting like children or, worse yet, cats in a bag.  Shakes head profusely.

Is it Friday yet?

82 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ok, this sounds AMAZING. My stomach kinda hates me when I eat spicy stuff lately, but the jalapenos could be substituted with something that wouldn't land me back in my GI's office, right?

Unknown said...

mmmm what a grown up version to a kids favorite!
definitely want to try this :)

annelise said...

Anything with bacon and cheese is a winner to me!

Little Paper Trees said...

i have no words - this looks like it would turn any day into something fine and dandy!

dear olive said...

WOW that is one creamy, cheesy, fatty dish! Sounds perfectly delicious. Seinfeld is the best. Serenity now xx

Leia said...

Eek, it sounds like a stressful week! Comfort food is often the way to go (or TEA! Yesss :P). Chef is soo funny, I love it when you post about your conversations and things, it seems like you have such a good relationship :) Sending you lots of calming and positive vibes!

Leia

Diana Mieczan said...

I am obssesed with Seinfeld, sweetie...Balazs and I love watching it and we have all the seasons...Im sorry that people are getting to you...and you know when I have a bad day I always think about one of the Seinfeld characters and then I am all happy again:)
You made my morning with that clip:)
Hugs

Anonymous said...

Yum, yum, yum! My son would LOVE this... I will try it and let you know how it turns out. I have two dogs that act just like that cat. It's almost Halloween do you have your Alien costume in tact? (Seriously, I keep bringing up Pelican Hill in Newport to Tim... dropping hints - if we make it out there eventually I HAVE to meet you in person)! xo

MerciBlahBlah said...

Carrie,
You had me at bacon. Not so much at jalapeno, but DEFINITELY at bacon. YUMMMMMMM.
Shan

Laura said...

I was never a big Seinfield watcher.. but that's really funny :) My favorite is the "schmoopy" episode.. only because it's a joke bw my fiance and i.. hehe. but on a more important note.. OMG. that dish is UNREAL. not so sure J would enjoy it with the large amounts of bacon and jalepenos.. but like Merciblahblah said... "YOU HAD ME AT JALEPENO AND BACON".. lol. :) i am saving this recipe in my box asap.

now... Perk up! It's closer to Friday than yesterday was!!! You can do it girl!!!!

Danielle (elleinadspir) said...

It's 6:45am and my son is already having a tantrum. I think by noon I will be screaming Serenity Now!!! And craving this pasta!

Closet Fashionista said...

Oyy...I hope things get less annoying for you, that looks tasty, if only I liked mac and cheese :p
http://aclosetfashionista.blogspot.com/

Chas said...

That looks so yummy! Love the Seinfeld quotes!

Emy said...

The picture you posted is making me hungry. I love home made mac n cheese, although I've never made it. I miss Seinfeld.

BTW,
I have some great giveaways going on... $35 GC from CSN, 4 skincare products from L'BRI, family music CD, Boogie Wipes and several more!

KatiePerk said...

Oh wow. That looks awesome. I hope everything gets finished and you have a lovely rest of your week!

Kelly Frances Dunn said...

Mad love for your food posts! This sounds like THE Mac of all cheese!!

XOXO

Anonymous said...

WOW! I've been off pasta for 2 months and have another 2 months to go. I could literaly jump through this screen to try it.

http://xoxoebony.blogspot.com

Lilacandgrey said...

WOW!! I could just imagine the food coma I would be in if I ate that!!
<3Cara

Last day to enter "Tea Time" Print Giveaway-Come on Over and Check it Out!

Nikki said...

ha, I LOVE that episode!
Your mac n cheese leaves me speechless. This is my favorite comfort food and your spicy twist makes it even better. Thanks for sharing the recipe, will be trying very sooooon!



xx
Nikki

LifestyleBohemia said...

Yes, I have seen that episode!
this recipe looks like the perfect comfort food - i will definitely bookmark this one, thanks for sharing!
xx

Taylor said...

YUMO! I LOVE Mac N Cheese!! Although being product of growing up-a-la-boxed-mac I haven't found a good recipe for homemade :( This one looks perfect....Going to have to try it, maybe even this weekend with looming rain! Thanks mama's! (Yes yes, he didn't deserve any if he drank the last Hansens....that stuff is the bomb! which is why i can't buy it anymore...addicting! LOL!

Tiffany Kadani said...

Amazing! This recipe looks so simple and sounds amazing!
Sorry you are having a rough few days. Hope it gets better for you!

Unknown said...

not the biggest mac and cheese fan - i'm also lactose intolerant - so when i eat cheese i KNOW the consequences i will have .. but i think i might give this one a shot!

k said...

one more sleep until friday!!! chef should publish a cookbook, i would buy it

Unknown said...

seriously this week needs to end. that looks SO good - i will eat jalapeno anything, especially when it's with breadcrumbs, noodles, and cheese.

xx aj

Lisa Griffin said...

omg can someone send a person to my door with a piping hot pot of cheesy goodness! yummmmmm
www.indramaticfashion.com

Unknown said...

I should have known you loved Seinfeld too, one more reason I like you so much! There aren't enough words to describe how amazing this looks to me! XX!

PursuitOfLLT said...

best comfort food plus jalapenos and bacon? SOLD.

ChinkyGirLMeL said...

The weekend is a few sleeps away. Hang in there sweetie.
P.S. that looks so yummy! Whenever I am so stressed out comfort food really does wonders for my mood. =)

Isabel said...

OMG i need to make that mac n cheese....the perfect comfort food!

fshnonmymind said...

This mac n cheese sounds absolutely heavenly. 99% of things would be better with bacon, so I'm definitely trying this.

I watched Seinfeld and can just picture George's father screaming serenity now in my head. LOL

Jess said...

Hahah - I've never seen that episode, but I love it. I'm right there with you with that feeling of too many things to do all the time. I've worked 3 thirteen hour work days in a row, I'm exhausted, and I'm hosting my first party at my new house on Saturday - WAYYY too many things to do. What was I thinking?
Serenity Now. ha

Jude said...

Hahaha, I love that Seinfeld episode! This looks like the perfect comfort food, it'd give me lots of serenity any ole' worknight, that's for sure! Such a delicious little post, at every level :)

Discovery Street said...

yes...love that episode...and love the recipe!

BusyB said...

YUMMMMM that looks amazing..... wrote it down thanks lady! ; )! HOpe you get some peace of mind soon........ cheers to it almost being FRIDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


happy thursday!

little luxury list said...

Wow, just wow and doesn't that make everything better? I'm going to file this recipe away and have to think of a semi healthy way to make it (but oh the bacon love!)

p.s. Seriously a book as wallpaper? It sounds fun but I feel bad for the book!

Nikki said...

Um Yum...do you think it would ship well? Send me some and I'll answer that for you ;)

Anonymous said...

Oh my and I am starving right now! Looks mouth watering!
Check out my reveal on my post today!

Courtney Erin said...

I think that Serenity Now was is one of my favorite episodes - that any one where Elaine dances!

xoxo ~ Courtney
http://sartorialsidelines.blogspot.com

A Crimson Kiss said...

I'm an executive (and often personal) assistant, and I work from my boss' home-he's in NY this week, but his girlfriend is here at the house. This morning, in a ball on the floor of his office, was a collection of bath mats and towels that had to be marched past the washer/dryer, topped with a note asking me to wash them.


Serenity now. Serenity now. Serenity now.

Amber said...

that looks like a killer mac and cheese dish, Id take cheesey goodness over orange soda any day

kelli g. { bug miscellany } said...

hahahahaha! your photo caption is killing me.
how considerate of your Chef though, really. i'm pretty sure my hubbers would run through traffic for bacon mac n cheese.
and he certainly would never relinquish it, no matter how grevious the offense. :P

noone said...

LOL i love Seinfield and I totally remember that epsoide! and mmmm cheese, anything with cheese is usually delish :D

noone said...

P.S and totally agree on your comment of Avril!!

Marissa said...

Why oh why do I have to be lactose intolerant?! :(

monica said...

now i wanna go home and watch that whole episode!!!

xo
monica

Claire Kiefer said...

goodness! Get rid of that bacon and I'd be all about this. As a southerner, I am prideful and picky about mac & cheese . . . usually, I won't order it at restaurants cause I think mine is better (ha). And those breadcrumbs? YUM! This is getting me all excited for Thanksgiving . . .

Kara Endres said...

SERENITY LOW, INSANITY LATER... yes! I agree when you bottle it up, you blow. You should not bottle it up, but deal with it serenely..

Lou said...

Absolute comfort food. Lovely. I know what you mean when everything just gets too much and there is only one thing for it; cheese! Lou x

Andrea (Panda) said...

haha i love sinfield and um that looks amazing!! might have to make this for the fiance

Valerie said...

THAT mac and cheese would cure almost anything in my opinion. It looks glorious. I hope your day is going better today! It has been one of those weeks, hasn't it. And with the rain, all I want to do is go back to bed with a cup of tea (thanks to your post, I've had a cup of tea every day since). Is it Friday yet?

xo
Valerie

Kristen said...

i love mac n cheese. yours sounds incredible.

Yea, friday needs to be here asap.

Alicia Lund said...

OH MY GOSH Carrie this sounds heavenly!!! I must try to make this dish. YUM!!

Marie a la Mode said...

You are SO lucky to date a Chef!

I thoroughly enjoyed your rant on my blog by the way ; ) I agree with everything you said!

And yes, my friend, Friday is fast approaching! woot! woot!

alli/hooray said...

Mac n cheese in any form is always my favorite. Thanks for the recipe!

Josie said...

Genius. Absolutely genius. Anything involving both bacon and mac and cheese is just an absolute must.

Now onto your mental state. I desperately need it to be better, my dear, because you deserve nothing more than to be a very happy camper. May I recommend some serious wisdom from the mouth of one Miss Felicity Porter, a Jamba Juice, and perhaps a nap? Love.
xo Josie
http://winksmilestyle.blogspot.com

Annie said...

hahaha Love that episode & Seinfeld in general!
Hope you get to have a nice relaxing weekend..
I know - I feel like we're all friends too :) I'm off to meet Nikki & her husband.. too bad you aren't near us to have dinner & drinks! xo

kylee said...

seinfeld is always & forever my very favorite tv show.

k said...

you DO know you're welcome in der Schweiz anytime :) :) I've got a huge flat!!! thanks for checking out my guest post, lady!

THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...

Carrie I'm falling over! This sounds amazing!!! Must go cook dinner now! No matter how much mine will pale in comparison.... :)

Happy almost Friday! xoxo

Anonymous said...

I. Love. Chef. The. End.

Unknown said...

How fun! Looks like it was a big hit with everyone ;) Serenity now, yes, yes, yes!!

Meghan said...

oh my goody gosh!! Yum!

L A C E Y said...

i made homemade mac-n-cheese for the first time last night, and i'll be honest yours looks WAY BETTER. i was going to go back to ready-prepared stuff, but after seeing this post, i'm going to have to try again. (oh, and we had a mac+cheese station at our wedding.. it was too die for!

Jessica said...

LOL i love kramer :)
Bookmarked this delicious looking mac&cheese....yuuum!

jemina said...

Sounds so yummy, drooooolllll!

XOXO
J

RedPoppy said...

Amazing dish! I also loved that Seinfeld episode. come to think of it I've been watching a lot of reruns lately and they are seriously brilliant...
xo

bananas. said...

mmm cheese.
mmmmm jalapeno.
and MMMMM to bacon.

yea i just gained 5 lbs. thanks.

Stacey said...

I love this recipe and would substitute the bacon with something else for myself(i don't eat pork or anything related to it:-)). The jalapeno part is right up my alley though because us island people love our spices!

Stacey said...

Also, thanks for checking out my guest post yesterday:-).

LyddieGal said...

I think I would love that mac&cheese (sans bacon) for a little serenity time.
Just remember, serenity now means insanity later ;)

Chic on the Cheap

Anonymous said...

LOVE that you used Seinfeld...so hilarious. YUMMMMMMM LOVE mac and cheese, must try this recipe. OHHHHHH...:-))) xx Emily from EL Vintage

PS- I am adding your blog to my blog list. I just adore you. xx

the chirpy bird said...

Oh my!!!! Delicious! Thanks for stopping by pretty! Yes, I do have a very fun group of friends! Mac and cheese is exactly what this weather is calling for
xoxox tash

Anonymous said...

OMG I am trying this - love anything spicy and we use the quinoa noodles too! I basically eat quinoa everyday :)


thanks for continuously making my mouth water!
XOXO,
style activist

Punctuation Mark said...

two real american classics... i love that episode... brilliant!

Leeann @ Join the Gossip said...

I don't eat meat but I could so use the recipe and just remove the bacon! mmm

soph // and other things said...

That recipe seems like something I'm going to have to try. Hope everything calms down for you soon :)

Zabrinah said...

Great recipe!

No, I had never seen that episode!

And now I'm going to be saying, "Serenity now" under my breath this week as well.

:)

~Zabrinah

S.I.F. said...

Oh. My. Hell.

Why would you do this to me?!? Why?!? I am literally salivating over here now?

I just bookmarked this recipe. You had better believe I'm coming back to it.

Andee Layne said...

wow! amazing!

Monique said...

That looks amazing!!! Must try out this recipe! And as for your cat...we have a cat at the office and I swear she refuses to sit anywhere but on our keyboards. I have no idea how we get any work done so I totally understand! lol
xo M

S.I.F. said...

No shit, I woke up this morning with a craving for baked macaroni and cheese (after spending FAR too long trying to be dairy free) and remembered that you had a recipe once upon a time that sounded amazing. I literally just spent far too long searching through your archives to find it... Guess what I'm having for dinner tonight! ;)

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