What's for Dinner?

Creamy & Cheesy Dinner that would make you go Mmmmhhhhmm....Humma2.
I'm not sure about you guys, but I'm the type of guy who would not go for rice that often.I like to vary the food I eat...Varying from rice to noodles to potatoes to bread to pasta and the list goes on and on...

I have tried making three simple great western dishes that I would like to share with you guys.As usual, I got most of the recipes from my favourite website, allrecipes.com and other websites on the internet.I then modify them a bit here and there according to the reviews and my own preferences. Lets get started, shall we?

Creamy Macaroni and Cheese

Homemade Mac & Cheese..Say no no to ready-made ones..

Ingredients: 
2 cups uncooked macaroni
75 gram butter (5 tablespoons)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 cups of milk
2 cups of shredded Cheddar cheese 
1/4 cup of processed cheese ( ex : velveeta) Mozarella and parmesan mix together are also nice
2 tablespoons dry bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon butter

This recipe is suitable for a 1-1/2-quart baking dish (about 8 x 8 inch).The baking dish I used was bigger so I made a bigger portion of the recipe.The amount of cheese is actually up to you.If you like the mac & cheese to be cheesy and not too dry, put in more cheese and milk.

1. Cook the macaroni according to the directions on the package. 
2. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat while stirring in flour, salt and pepper until smooth.Add milk gradually. Bring the mixture to boil and keep stirring for 2 minutes or until it thickens.Reduce the heat.
3. Add both of the cheeses into the mixture, stir until they are melted.
4. Drain the macaroni and transfer it to the baking dish.Pour the cheese mixture over the macaroni.Mix it well.
5. Melt one tablespoon butter and add in bread crumbs.Sprinkle this over the top of the macaroni.
6. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees celcius) for 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown.
7. Eat and say Mmmhhhmmmmm...sedapnye...

Spaghetti with creamy white sauce

It should look a bit like this...

But the one I did turned out looking pale cuz I didn't have basil and parsley..hee

Ingredients:
250 gram spaghetti or the portion for 4 person
1/2 cup butter ( 115g )
1 package cream cheese  (225 g)
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 cups milk
3/4 cup (180g) grated parmesan cheese
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
a dash of nutmeg powder (1/8 teaspoon)
parsley
basil for decoration

1. In a medium saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add cream cheese and garlic powder, whisk until smooth.Add milk gradually, whisking to smooth out lumps.
2. Stir in parmesan, pepper and nutmeg.When the sauce has reached desired texture, remove it from the heat.Sauce with thicken rapidly.If you like you sauce to be a lil bit watery, add milk.
3. Pour the sauce on the pasta and serve.Top it with basil or parsley.

Tips:
Whisking is better then just stirring to make the sauce smoother.Make sure you have a whisk with you.Don't use high heat.Don't worry if the butter and cream cheese did not blend smoothly,after adding milk it'll become smoother and creamy.If you think the sauce is a lil bit too sour, add milk and a lil bit of salt.


Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Gravy 

Mashed potatoes with brown sauce

Ingredients:
6 medium potatoes, peeled cubed
1/2 cup warm milk
1/4 cup butter ( 60g) , melted
3/4 teaspoon salt
dash pepper (1/8 teaspoon) add more according to your preference
1 1/2 tablespoons sour cream

1. Place the potatoes in a pot.Cover the potatoes with water, add a bit of salt and bring to boil.Cook for about 15 - 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.Check by piercing the potatoes with a fork.
2. Drain the potatoes. Mash the potatoes until slighly smooth.
3. Add milk, butter, sour cream, salt and pepper. Continue to mash until light and fluffy.
4. Taste for seasoning.If you think it's too salty add milk.If it's a bit tasteless add salt or paper.I normally don't follow the exact recipe and just go on trusting my taste bud in adding salt and pepper.Hee.. 
5. Your mashed potatoes can now be eaten on it's own.

Tips:

Use warm milk does make a lot of difference.It makes it creamy and delicious.

There are so many recipes for the gravy, but i would go for this one based on the reviews.

Ingredients for gravy:

4 tablespoon butter

2 chopped onions ( bawang besar)

1/4 cup all -purpose flour

2 cups chicken stock (or use maggi cube)

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1 teaspoon salt

1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter and cook the onions over medium heat for 12 to 15 minutes, until the onions are lightly browned.Make sure the onions are well cooked.
2. Whisk in flour into the pan, then add the salt and pepper.
3. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes
4. Add hot chicken stock and cook uncovered for 4 to 5 minutes, until the sauce thickened.
5. Add 1 tablespoon of heavy cream if desired.
6. If you like the sauce to be darker brown, add a bit of soya sauce.

So there you have it...recipes for a great dinner..Have fun cooking!!!

Till the next post, Tschuess und mach's gut!!!