Mac and Cheese…

Do you know how to transform a box of $1 white mac and cheese into a delicious gourmet meal? Try this out...it will help you.

Basil and Garlic White Mac and Cheese

1 box white mac and cheese
3 tablespoons infused olive oil, your favourite flavour (see Nailah's Note)
1 clove of garlic, minced
5 leaves basil, cut into ribbons (see Nailah's Note on post "A great weeknight meal.")

Prepare the macaroni, drain. Make the cheese sauce, lower heat to med-low.
Add the garlic, whisk. Add infused olive oil. Whisk until all combined. Mix-in the basil. Add the macaroni into the pot mix until all combined.

Nailah's Note

I love infused olive oils. I love to make my own, if you can't find it in grocery stores; try this recipe.

Garlic and Shallot Olive Oil

2 small shallots
2 cloves of garlic, quartered
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Put olive oil in a small sautè pan. Turn on heat to med-low sautè the shallots and garlic for 3 minutes. Keep the oil and put the garlic and shallots in a stir-fry or on a pizza.

Banana Split!

This morning, l made some banana splits! Banana Splits for breakfast you ask? YES! When the ice cream is replaced with banana pancakes!

Banana Splits: Breakfast Version

Pancakes:

Pancake mix (prepared to make 6 large pancakes)
2 small or 1 large ripe banana(s)
1/4 cup chocolate chips
2 teaspoons almond extract
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar

Condiments:

1/4 cup nutella
1/4 cup natural smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup raspberries

Pancakes: Beat the bananas with the almond extract for 2 minutes until smooth. Add the prepared pancake mix and brown sugar beat for another 30 seconds. Mix in the chocolate chips. Cook the pancakes on med-low heat 1/4 cup at a time. (will make AT LEAST 6) Flip when the raw side starts bubbling. The opposite side should be golden brown.

Condiments: Mix the nutella and peanut butter on med heat in a small sauce pan. Whisk until smooth (if you wait even just a little longer than smooth, it will turn dry. You can try to save it by adding milk by the tablespoon and whisking it fast.) Put the warm chocolate peanut butter and the raspberries in condiment bowls.
Let everyone build their own style of banana spilts.