We stuck with it for three months. After a lot of discussion and review, The Tall Guy decided he was not seeing enough benefit (actually, none at all) to justify the aggravation and cost. We celebrated the return to regular diet with pizza, mozzarella sticks and Chinese dumplings. That was a fun day. The result of the failed enterprise was a newfound appreciation for things creamy, cheesy and wheat-y. Two of our favorite meals are posted below. These are the ones we missed most during that time, as we mention whenever I serve one of them.
Macaroni & Cheese
This is The Tall Guy's favorite, and ranks pretty high with the Boychik as well. Two secrets to this sauce - Jarlsberg or other mild swiss, and double mustard.
Go to the deli of your favorite market. Ask them for their cheese ends. Whatever they've got, take it. Don't ask, just accept what you're given. HOWEVER - if there is no Jarlsberg, Alpine Lace or the like in your stash, get a quarter pound while you're there.
Cut all the cheese into 1" cubes, or as best you can. Dump them into a pan and add enough milk to not quite cover the cubes. Add a squirt of dijon mustard, but go easy. You can always add more, but you can't take out. A dash of Worcestershire sauce - please spend the extra change and go for the good stuff. Lea & Perrins is the original and I think the best. Next stir in some dry mustard. I can't tell you how much, sorry. I just sprinkle it in till it looks like enough and then taste. No salt needed, there's plenty of that in the cheese and woowoo sauce. Heat slowly, stirring frequently until it's all melted smooth. If you're feeling adventurous, add a drop or two of hot sauce. Why not?
Pour over pasta of your choice, or potatoes or veggies or anything else that looks good in cheese sauce. None of that flour-roux-thickener crap! Cheese is thick, leave it alone! I like to add ground pepper at the table.
Pasta e Fagioli
This is super easy and so good.
One large onion
Mushrooms, if desired
One green or colored pepper, if desired
Garlic, fresh minced or powder
3 large cans tomatoes - diced, sauced, squashed, whatever. Add all juices.
Stock or water/bouillion equal to amount of tomatoes
1 small can tomato paste
1/2 to 1 pound ham, small diced
1-2 cans cannellini beans, rinsed well
1 pound small pasta, traditionally ditalini
Saute veggies together in a stock pot until soft and transparent. Add tomatoes, water, paste, ham and beans to pot and simmer at least 20 minutes. Just before serving, add pasta and cook according to time on package. You may want to add more water if it looks too dry after the pasta has soaked up the water. I've been know to add a handful of spinach or shredded carrots, or various other things that need to be used. It's a very forgiving recipe. Enjoy!
Things I'd love to share with you: Parma Rosa sauce with The Tall Guy's homemade sausage recipe. And raspberry marble pudding cake with chocolate ganache. Yeah, that one's worth coming back for.
