Hello November :o)

Talk about comfort food!!! I was so excited when I stumbled upon this over at Mommy's Kitchen! We did a couple of things different, but not much. This is truly perfect for our November weather that is finally here. Thanks Tina!!!

BAKED HAM RIGATONI

1 pkg (16 oz) rigatoni pasta
2 Tbs. butter
1/2 cup flour
4 cups milk
2 cups grated mozzarella cheese (separated)
about 1/2 lb diced ham
salt and pepper
small pads of butter for top

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Melt butter over medium heat and start water boiling for pasta. Once butter is melted, whisk in flour. Add your milk, and continue to stir until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of the spoon. When the water is boiling, add pasta and cook until just past the Al-dente stage. Just starting to get soft. When the white sauce is done add your seasonings, ham, and one cup cheese. Stir well, to get the cheese melted. Drain your pasta and add to the sauce. Pour mixture into a greased 9x13 pan, smooth the top and sprinkle with remaining cup of cheese. Dot the top with your pads of butter and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the top is bubbly and brown.

* we like to add 2-3 cloves of fresh garlic, sauteed onion, and definitely more cheese on top!

Cuban Midnight Sandwich...

The medianoche earns its name from the time that it was typically eaten. After a night of dancing, the medianoche is a perfect way to stave off hunger. We're not dancers and we didn't eat this at midnight, but it was still wonderful!!! I couldn't believe even my kids loved it!!!

Medianoche

1 cup mayo

5 Tbs. Italian dressing

4 Tbs. mustard

3 thin slices of ham

3 thin slices roast pork hot or cold (I used leftover pernil)

3 thin slices of Swiss cheese

3 or 4 slices of pickles

1/3 cut Cuban bread (sweet yellow bread) or a substitute bread

In small bowl, mix together mayo and Italian dressing. Slice the bread open face so that both halves are still barely connected. Spread mixture on your rolls and then spread mustard on both halves. Add the ham, and then the roasted pork. Add your Swiss cheese and then a few pickle slices. Make sure to rub your sandwich press with a little Olive oil, or brush some soft butter on the outside of the bread. Place the sandwich in a sandwich press and press down until the cheese is melted and the bread is slightly hard to the touch. (Really watch this - my sandwich kept slipping apart! Maybe I had too much mayo and mustard?!) When finished, slice the sandwich diagonally across the middle so that you have two triangle shaped wedges. Enjoy!

* Mayo and Italian Dressing is not the traditional Cuban sandwich, but it was a really nice change!

Who would have thought....

that ham would be so good on the grill!!!! We were a little nervous with all that horseradish, but it was awesome!!! We are big-time ham lovers in our house, so this really hit the spot. Not having to heat up the whole house for an entire day was an added bonus. If your short on time - you have to give this recipe a try!


Ham Slices on the Grill

1 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup prepared horseradish
2 slices ham steaks

Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate. In a small bowl, mix brown sugar, lemon juice and prepared horseradish. Heat the brown sugar mixture in the microwave on high heat 1 minute, or until warm. Score both sides of ham slices. Place on the prepared grill. Baste continuously with the brown sugar mixture while grilling. Grill 6 to 8 minutes per side, or to desired doneness.

Tara's Menu 5/3-5/8

Okay, I can't even believe I'm going to post this because my hubby is going out of town this week and we will not be cooking at all!! So if anyone else is ready to have a boring week of dinners, jump on board the lazy train!!!! ALL ABOARD!!! hahaha

Saturday: grilled chicken with sundried tomato pasta and steamed broccoli
Sunday: Spaghetti
Monday: Tuna helper
Tuesday: Grands Ham and Cheese melts with chips and/or tater tots
Wednesday: Don't know yet...maybe Luby's since it's kids night???
Thursday: Chick-fil-a or pizza...it's BUNKO Baby!! yeah, I so need a break!

...Leftover Ham...

Okay, so I made a ham yesterday and guess what KATHY, you'd be so proud of me!! Tonight we had Beef with Broccoli, so I made HAM fried rice with my leftovers!! It was so yummy and easy! And since my strange kiddos don't LOVE shrimp like me, they really like the ham this time!! I'm not as creative with my leftovers as Kathy is with hers, so, I'm really trying to take notes...heehee!!

Monday: Beef with Broccoli and HAM fried rice
Tuesday: Chili dog/frito pie
Wednesday: Chicken strips, mashed potatoes, salad
Thursday: YOYO....daddy out of town, eat whatever (soccer/track practice too)!!
Friday: YOYO....still eat whatever just b/c it's FRIDAY....haha!!

Leftover Ham...

Well, here's what I finally decided on...


Delicious Ham and Potato Soup - This was most excellent!!! We topped our soup with shredded Cheddar. Yummm.... This definitely made our "keeper" list!!

Breakfast Burritos

Savory Ham and Bean Soup - this isn't rated very high, but I think I can "doctor" it up a bit!

Ham and Swiss Bread Pudding - I'm really excited about this one!!!