Dawn's Mac & Cheese

I usually promote saving money in any way shape or form, but this recipe is just too good to not pass along! My Mother in Law, Hope, makes possibly the world's BEST mac and cheese. It's not that boxed stuff that we get for $0.25 using our coupons, but it is wonderful, cheesy goodness that only a seasoned cook can make. I have that recipe and use it from time to time, BUT one night while eating with our dear friends, Will and Dawn, I was handed a plate full of what looked like my mother in law's mac and cheese. But I was wrong! It was much simpler and just as tasty!

This is my go to recipe for Sunday dinners and cookouts. 

Dawn's Mac and Cheese

2 1/2 c. milk
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese (mild or sharp)
1 1/2 c. noodles, UNCOOKED
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Use some non stick spray on a 8 x 8 baking dish. Layer the ingredients (3/4 c. noodles, 1 1/4 c. milk, 1 c. cheese, salt and pepper; repeat) Bake for 1 hour.

Double batch and bake in a 9 x 13 pan (trust they'll eat it all!)

Trust me! The noodles will be perfectly cooked and wonderfully cheesy!

Watergate Salad...This really needs a new name!

My dear sweet husband has a severe aversion to the term "salad" mostly due to several bad experiences during his childhood that involved potato salad and having to clear his plate. So now if anything says "salad" or might possibly have mayonnaise, cream cheese, sour cream, or mustard it's pretty much off limits. But a few months ago while we went to visit his Grandmother Joyce she was excited to tell him she had made his favorite salad! Watergate salad held a special place on the table that night!

Now I remember my Mammaw making Watergate salad and other congealed concoctions that were used to trick children into eating vegetables disguised as dessert. I always made sure to steer clear of those dishes! But as an adult I'm trying to branch out and set good examples for my girls and try things that I normally do not eat. For that particular night it was Watergate Salad! And it was good!!!!!

Since coming back from our visit to Yazoo City, I've made Watergate Salad almost once a week! It's sweet enough to satisfy your sweet tooth with few calories, which is a good thing in our quest to eat healthier! Our 7 year old has taken to calling it "Green Stuff"....not much better than salad in my opinion!


Watergate Salad

1 box instant Pistachio pudding mix
1 container of Cool Whip (I use lite or sugar free)
1/2 bag fruit flavored marshmallows
1 large can crushed pineapple

Mix pineapple and pudding mix first. Stir in cool whip and marshmallows. Store in airtight container. We eat it immediately, but the original recipe says to refrigerate first.