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Thursday, June 27, 2013

Thrifty Thursday #22






Welcome back!! 
I have a special treat for you this week!
Remember last week, I shared that awesome looking dinner from Busy Mom's Helper - Creamy Cauliflower Pasta??
It took me all week to actually do it, but I made it this week!  
I was constantly missing 1 thing ... Cauliflower!

This recipe did take a lot longer than I thought it would but we loved it!
It made so much we both had it for lunch the next day, and still some left. Which we ultimately ended up tossing because we couldn't eat the same meal 3x's :)




Ingredients
1 tsp. Olive Oil
3 cups Cauliflower, chopped
3 medium Shallots, chopped
Salt and Pepper, to taste
4 tsp. Flour
4 cups Milk
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg, ground
2 cups Parmesan cheese, shredded
1/2 lb. Pasta Shells
1 cup Ham, sliced, smoked, chopped
4 cups Broccoli, cut
1/2 cup Bread crumbs

Directions
In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the cauliflower, garlic, shallots, and a bit of salt. Cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Stir frequently so garlic doesn't overcook.

Add flour to the saucepan and toss to coat well. Stir in the milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until cauliflower is very soft, about 15 minutes. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes, then pour into a blender, adding the nutmeg and half the Parmesan cheese. Blend until smooth.

Preheat oven to 400 Degrees.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the pasta and broccoli. Cook until just slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Drain, then return pasta and broccoli to the pot. Add the ham and cauliflower sauce, tossing to combine.

Put into a 3 1/2 quart sprayed baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and bake until center is bubbly, about 30 minutes.

Top with breadcrumbs and serve. Enjoy!!! - See more at: http://www.busymomshelper.com/2013/06/creamy-cauliflower-pasta.html#sthash.GanPRwv7.dpuf
Ingredients
1 tsp. Olive Oil
3 cups Cauliflower, chopped
3 medium Shallots, chopped
Salt and Pepper, to taste
4 tsp. Flour
4 cups Milk
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg, ground
2 cups Parmesan cheese, shredded
1/2 lb. Pasta Shells
1 cup Ham, sliced, smoked, chopped
4 cups Broccoli, cut
1/2 cup Bread crumbs

Directions
In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the cauliflower, garlic, shallots, and a bit of salt. Cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Stir frequently so garlic doesn't overcook.

Add flour to the saucepan and toss to coat well. Stir in the milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until cauliflower is very soft, about 15 minutes. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes, then pour into a blender, adding the nutmeg and half the Parmesan cheese. Blend until smooth.

Preheat oven to 400 Degrees.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the pasta and broccoli. Cook until just slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Drain, then return pasta and broccoli to the pot. Add the ham and cauliflower sauce, tossing to combine.

Put into a 3 1/2 quart sprayed baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and bake until center is bubbly, about 30 minutes.

Top with breadcrumbs and serve. Enjoy!!! - See more at: http://www.busymomshelper.com/2013/06/creamy-cauliflower-pasta.html#sthash.GanPRwv7.dpuf

Ingredients
1 tsp. Olive Oil
3 cups Cauliflower, chopped
3 medium Shallots, chopped
Salt and Pepper, to taste
4 tsp. Flour
4 cups Milk
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg, ground
2 cups Parmesan cheese, shredded
1/2 lb. Pasta Shells
1 cup Ham, sliced, smoked, chopped
4 cups Broccoli, cut
1/2 cup Bread crumbs
 

Directions
In a medium saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the cauliflower, shallots, and a bit of salt. Cook until soft, about 10 minutes. Stir frequently so garlic doesn't overcook.

Add flour to the saucepan and toss to coat well. Stir in the milk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until cauliflower is very soft, about 15 minutes. Allow to cool for about 5 minutes, then pour into a blender, adding the nutmeg and half the Parmesan cheese. Blend until smooth.

Preheat oven to 400 Degrees.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then add the pasta and broccoli. Cook until just slightly tender, about 5 minutes. Drain, then return pasta and broccoli to the pot. Add the ham and cauliflower sauce, tossing to combine.

Put into a 3 1/2 quart sprayed baking dish. Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan cheese and bake until center is bubbly, about 30 minutes.
Top with breadcrumbs and enjoy!

I did attempt to multitask and cook things simultaneously, but that only left the pasta ready and waiting for the cauliflower sauce :)

On that note, you may want to let the sauce sit for more than 5 minutes to cool! I learned the valuable lesson that enclosed heat will make the top explode off your blender :)

 
I hope you enjoyed this adventure!!
Want your post Featured next week?? Leave me a comment!


XOXO,

Thursday, June 20, 2013

Thrifty Thursday #21







Welcome back everyone!!! 
I can't believe another week has flown by!

There were some really great posts last week!! 
I'm not gonna lie, I couldn't wait to share my favorites with you!! 
Don't forget to link up your posts this week, leave me a comment and I will Feature you!!

And onto this weeks Featured posts:

Free Printable: Because I LOVE coffee
and have recently become more crafty, so I am going to try this!


Creamy Cauliflower Pasta: Mmm sounds and looks delicious!
Honey, Pasta for dinner tonight!! :)


Travel Tips: I am always looking for a way to do things cheaper!
Especially a trip like this! (London here we come!!)



Thank you to everyone who links up to our party! 
We truly appreciate it and I love seeing everyone's posts!
Until next week <3






XOXO,

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Thrifty Thursday #20






I can't believe it has been so long since I have posted. I have been taking some time to explore where I am headed and have a really long draft email saved up!

Today we are focusing on Thrifty Thursday, and I have found some really great posts to share with you!! 
Please comment below and let me know if you have a post you want Featured!!


Bathroom Update on a Budget - because we can all use this!!


How to make a Trifle - I LOVE trifle!
(I once made one with layers of brownie, choc pudding & raspberries! OMG!)


Tomato, Cucumber, Mozzarella Salad - 3 of my faves! 
I am so making this!


12 Kids Craft ideas! Riley will love some of these!


Well I hope you love all my Features!! Please post yours, then leave me a comment and I will Feature it!!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL THE DAD's OUT THERE!!
Especially my WONDERFUL Husband, Father & Father-In-Law! And my Brothers and uncles, cousins, etc, etc ... :)





XOXO,