Creamy Orzo with Garlic Browned Butter and Romano

Creamy Orzo with Garlic Browned Butter and Romano

1 lb. orzo pasta
1 stick unsalted butter
4 cloves garlic, pushed thru a press
2 cups heavy cream
1 1/2 cups good-quality grated Romano cheese
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons chopped parsley

Cook the orzo according to package directions in a pot of salted, boiling water.
Meanwhile, in a medium skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the garlic and a stir occasionally, until the butter is caramel in color, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat. This part is kind of tricky. You have to really watch the butter and not let it over-cook or get too brown.
Drain the orzo and place back in the pot. Pour the garlic butter mixture over the orzo and mix well. Stir in the heavy cream and Romano cheese. Stir in the parsley and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Place orzo into serving bowls and sprinkle with a little extra Romano.

Footnotes - You can add cooked shrimp, chicken or even broccoli or spinach to this dish as well.

Hash Brown Waffles

This was reason #2 why I asked for a waffle maker for Christmas...LOL!

This is really easy and trust me...serve these and get ready to impress your friends and family. You can either grate your own potatoes or use frozen or fresh already grated potatoes. Here is what you do - Grate the potatoes (if you are using packaged, open the package), squeeze out moisture, add salt, place in greased pre-heated waffle maker, close waffle maker and cook. This part is the hardest because depending on your waffle maker, it could take up to 20 minutes. Be patient...they are worth the wait!!

Skillet Potato Chips with Cheddar, Queso Blanco, Bacon and Scallions

Skillet Potato Chips with Cheddar, Queso Blanco, Bacon and Scallions

3 Russet potatoes
Canola oil for frying
Salt
1 scallion, thinly sliced
4-6 slices of bacon, fried crisp and crumbled
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups melted Queso Blanco cheese

Slice the potatoes thinly, using a mandolin slicer. Heat the canola oil over medium heat in a cast iron skillet. When oil is shimmering, add the potato slices in a single layer. Do not crowd the pan.
Cook potato slices until they are browned on one side, then flip and continue cooking until lightly brown on both sides. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate. Pat with paper towels to remove excess oil. While chips are still hot, sprinkle with salt and keep warm. Continue frying potato slices in batches, until all are cooked adding oil as needed.
Prep a serving bowl by pouring 1 cup of the Queso Blanco into the bowl. Add the potato chips. Sprinkle with the cheddar cheese and the other cup of Queso Blanco. Top with the crumbled bacon and scallions.

Monterey Jack BBQ Burger with Apple-Wood Smoked Bacon and Avocado

Monterey Jack BBQ Burger with Apple-Wood Smoked Bacon and Avocado

3 lbs. ground beef
1/2 cup barbecue sauce - I use Stew Leonard's
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
6 slices Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
1/2 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
1 ripe avocado, sliced thin
12 slices apple-wood smoked bacon, cooked crisp
Hamburger rolls
Ranch dressing, if desired

Preheat grill.
Combine ground beef, barbecue sauce, garlic, chili powder, salt, pepper and grated Monterey Jack cheese in a bowl. Shape into 6 patties about 1-inch thick.
Place burgers on grill and cook to desired doneness, at least 5 minutes per side for medium rare.
Place each burger on a roll. Top each with a slice of cheese, onion, bacon and avocado. Top with Ranch dressing, if desired.

Love my firefighter...

Cinnamon Roll Waffles with Cream Cheese Drizzle

So I pinned this recipe a few months ago on Pinterest. I liked the look of this recipe so much that I asked for a waffle maker for Christmas. And its pretty easy too....you just open a can of Cinnamon Rolls (like Pillsbury), place them in the preheated waffle maker and cook until cooked through and golden brown. The drizzle was just the icing from the can mixed with some milk and then I topped them with cinnamon sugar. I think next time I will make a homemade fluffy cream cheese frosting instead of the drizzle.

Cinnamon Roll Waffles with Cream Cheese Drizzle