Bacon mac ‘n’ cheese, peppermint-patty brownies
I missed our annual holiday potluck at work last week because I was in the Outer Banks visiting relatives and finishing my holiday shopping. Don’t feel too sorry for me, though – I had some great crab cakes made with my stepfather-in-law’s crab from his summer crab pots (he freezes a bunch). I also had tasty gumbo and the best Dom Ka Gai soup and fresh rolls ever at the Thai Room on the beach road.
But we have a recipe contest with the potluck every year and from what I understand, the winning recipe was a real treat. Editorial assistant Danielle Dunaway took first place with her bacon macaroni and cheese, and she was kind enough to share that recipe with us (see below). It looks pretty darn easy!
Another recipe I’ve been wanting to share originally came from my friend Libby Rackleff. She brought these peppermint-patty brownies to our house for a Christmas gathering and they were so good that my other friend/editor, Kathy Lu, made them for the work potluck last week.
These are easy, too. All you have to do is make your favorite brownie recipe, with our without chocolate chips in the batter, and then frost them with melted York peppermint patties. You can use a 12-oz. bag of peppermint patties or more, depending on how thick you want the icing layer to be. There is no need to mess with a double boiler — just put the peppermint patties in a microwave-safe bowl and nuke them for one minute. Stir, then nuke them for another 30 seconds. Stir again and they should be ready to spread on top of the brownies. If not, microwave in 15-second increments until they are spreadable.
Alternatively, I have seen recipes that say to bake the brownies, then layer peppermint patties on top of the brownies and put them back in the oven for 5 minutes, or until melty enough to spread around on top of the brownies.
For some reason, I liked these brownies better than recipes that have the whole patties embedded in the brownies. As an added bonus, York peppermint patties are fat-free. Of course, they contain a bunch of sugar. But oh well, see the holiday party rules for my response to that.
Has anybody discovered a great new recipe since we last shared our latest cooking adventures?
Bacon Macaroni and Cheese
2 boxes Velveeta shells and cheese
2 eggs
¼ cup lukewarm water
1 ½ cups of shredded cheese (Danielle used a Colby shredded mix. You can use whatever cheese you want)
One pack of Oscar Mayer bacon bits
A few dashes of garlic powder (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
1. Cook and drain the pasta. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Temper the eggs by whisking them with ¼ cup of lukewarm water.
3. Combine Velveeta cheese, tempered eggs, garlic powder, bacon bits, salt and pepper. Stir bacon mixture into the pasta.
4. Spray a 13-by-9-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Spread half of the pasta in a layer in the dish and top with half of the shredded cheese. Spread the rest of the pasta over the cheese layer, then top with the remainder of the shredded cheese.
5. Bake the casserole until cheese is melted and beginning to brown.
December 17, 2012 - 11:51 AM
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Not meaning to change the subject, but what are folks’ thoughts on Chaba Thai on Franklin Road? My wife, son and I ate there Sat night and had a great dinner. We started out with Calamari, which was excellent (lightly coated and lightly fried with an excellent dipping sauce), and all three of us cleaned our main course plates! My wife could not recall the last time we all did that! We split a sticky rice with mango that was fantastic. The whole time we were there, only three other tables were full. I know the owner and enjoyed his restaurant when he had one downtown. Many times when I drive by, the parking lot is empty. We are big fans of “Restaurant Impossible”, and we commented when we left, “what would Chef Robert do with Chaba Thai?” I have never had a bad dinner at Chaba Thai. What do you all think?
Love that little Thai place on the obx beach road. The older woman who runs it makes you feel like a regular even if you have no idea what she’s saying, her enthusiasm is contagious.
Kevin we haven’t been to Chaba Thai in several years, it’s hard to drag us away from Red Jasmine in Vinton, best Thai in town.
Never have had a bad meal there. Love their Pad Thai and Seafood Green Curry.
Kevin, they have been closed for several weeks, so maybe no one knew they had reopened.
@ Tass, yes! She calls everybody Mamasan, Papasan or Babysan. Haha.
Hi, in response to Kevin’s comment about Chaba Thai…we just ate there last week and agree, it’s really decent Thai food. We always get the Tom Kha Gai soup (coconut milk, chicken, lemongrass, mushrooms and tomato). They season this soup perfectly, where the lemon grass gives it just a little kick. Last visit we also tried the yellow curry shrimp w/broccoli and really enjoyed it. They also have a green mango, shrimp lime salad that is delicious. I should mention that we still think the best Thai in this area is Red Jasmine in Vinton, Chaba is closer, always tasty and the owner teases me about needing ID to order sake.
Thanks all. I did not know they were closed for a bit. The owner did tell me his wife has been in Thailand for a few months now, but was slated to get back soon. He then invited my family and I to visit in Thailand!
Tass, I haven’t been to Red Jasmine in a while, but agree fully with your assessment. If you live in that area, no need to get your Thai fix elsewhere!
Kristen, I’m a huge fan of their Pad See Ew. I work in Blacksburg and have tried Cafe Mekong (very, very good) as well as the new Thai place behind the post office on Main St. Food was ok, but waited 45 minutes for my order last week. They need to work those bugs out.
Sorry to co-opt your holiday post- these recipes look fun! But had to comment about Chaba… we had a similar experience two Fridays back. We felt awkward and puzzled that we were the only customers until 7:30pm when two other tables were seated. Mr. Tong said he had been running it again in the last few months since his nephew “who didn’t know business” had returned to Thailand. We had a great meal and he brought our son candy at the end. Hope word gets around that Chaba has improved.
No worries about changing the subject. This blog is for everybody to talk food.
I haven’t been to Chaba in a long time because it’s across town from us, but I’ll check it out again soon. I was disappointed by the drunken noodles at the OBX restaurant so I now want some good drunken noodles to make up for it.
I have always enjoyed the Thai food ordered off the menu at City Corner in downtown Roanoke. Not the lunch buffet, but the dinner menu. There’s no place to sit and eat but if you want takeout, try that sometime. Last I heard they were opening a second location on Plantation Road but I haven’t seen that it’s open yet.
Someone commented earlier that Pho Saigon is frequently empty and they worry about it not having enough business. Times are really tough for restaurants right now.
I love Chaba and try to eat there as often as possible to support them. It makes me sad how empty the parking lot is. The owner is so kind and the food and service is always amazing when I dine there. Support local restaurants, and you won’t find better than Chaba!!! And btw, their mango mojito is all fresh and really good
I don’t see the recipe for the bacon mac and cheese. Am I missing it?
Did you click “Read more”? It’s there.