Jilted

Thursday night was supposed to be the big night! We were headed to LD's Kitchen, a local eatery that has won accolades for thier mac 'n' cheese. Garden and Gun, a Southern Living-esque publication named LD's Mac 'n' cheese one of the 100 southern foods to try before dying. And several other publications have given it amazing accolades. I was looking forward to sampling said mac 'n' cheese and if it was as good as the rumors had it, i was marrying it. Unfortunately I was jilted at the alter, no mac 'n' cheese except on wednesdays! :c(

The real reason for our excursion was martin's birthday -- yes, a wedding and a birthday. Fun times were had by all. Fried foods were consumed in excess, as was sweet tea. Homeade carrot cake with delightfully unhealthy cream cheese frosting was provided (thanks Kristen and Amber!) for those who don't do chocolate. Adult beverages preceded and followed at the local watering holes. Celebratory hats were worn (Thanks Jen!)-- and Kristen still has her Cock of the walk Red Feather!

Turducken, more Christmas fun

Saturday night was Turducken part III. For those who aren't aware it is a southern 'delicacy' in which a turkey is stuffed with a duck is stuffed with a chicken. lots of stuffing and dresing is involved too! It is amazing! This was the third year that Sandy and Jeff did the Turducken thing. All of the food was amazing, not just the main course. Major kudos go out to ALL involved, especially Sandy, Jeff, Rob, and Todd for the amazing main course. Thanks to Rob and Todd for providing us with a great location at the lobby. Check out Sandy's blog for some more details regarding the history of the event and the birds themelves.


I brought Neely mac and cheese. It was amazing. Cheese, Potato chips, and Bacon. How can you go wrong? The pan was empty by the middle of the night. Luckily, I made a second, small pan or myself :-) Here are the directions, although I don't actually measure things :-)

6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups milk, warm
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Dash salt and freshly ground black pepper
Dash hot sauce
Dash Worcestershire sauce
3 cups shredded Cheddar
1 pound cavatappi pasta, cooked al dente
1 cup crushed potato chips
5 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan, for topping

1. Heat oven to 350 to 375 degrees F.
2. Melt 6 tablespoons butter in a large saucepot over medium heat. Add flour and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Whisk in the warmed milk and bring to a boil, continue to whisk constantly. The mixture will thicken as the heat increases. Continue to stir while adding the dry mustard, nutmeg, cayenne, salt, pepper, hot sauce and Worcestershire. Stir in the 3 cups of Cheddar until it melts.
3. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and add to a 3 quart casserole dish.
4. Sprinkle the chips, bacon and Parmesan on top and bake for 35 minutes.