Right before arriving home this afternoon, Evan asked me what I was going to make for dinner. I replied, “What would you absolutely love? If you could have anything right now, what would you want?” He thought about it for a second but answered like its been on his mind all day, “Baked Macaroni and Cheese… Mmm- Salisbury Steak with baked onions… and cornbread- Oh & turnip greens.” All this cooking was kind of intimidating but hey, why not. Honestly, I’ve never heard of turnip greens and found out why soon enough (personal preference, apparently it’s a great add.) I found some recipes online and decided to alter the dishes after reading the comments and reviews. Glad I did because everything was absolutely amazing. The best compliment from was that this is going to be “our staple dish” and that we will be everyone favorite couple because of it (haha.)
I rarely cook multiple dishes at once (I am just learning) but when I do I always seem to mess it up, so this time I planned the timing just right. I suggest thiiis:
-Preheat oven to 350
-Mix the ground beef ingredients together (set to side)
-Mix gravy (set to side)
-Boil Pasta
-Mix Macaroni Cheesy Creamy stuff
-Bake Macaroni for 30 minutes
-Mix Cornbread ingredients (set to side)
-Brown ground beef patties on skillet
-Switch patties to Casserole dish (lined with foil) & add gravy
-Remove Baked Macaroni (I put it in the microwave to keep it heated)
-Boost up the oven to 375
-Place both Cornbread and Steaks in oven for 40 minutes
-Turnips were canned and warmed over the stove for a few minutes (I know… I cheated, probably the reason why I refused to try them… that smell is thee worst.)
Salisbury Steak
4 Servings
Ingredients
2 (10.5 ounce) cans condensed French onion soup
1 (10.5 ounce) can Cream of mushroom
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
1/2 cup dry bread crumbs
1 egg
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon mustard powder
Directions
Heat oven to 375.
In a large bowl, mix together 1/3 cup condensed French onion soup with ground beef, bread crumbs, egg, salt and black pepper. Shape meat into 4 oval patties.
In a small bowl, blend flour, can of cream of mushroom soup and unopened can of French onion soup until smooth. Mix in ketchup, water, Worcestershire sauce and mustard powder.
In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown both sides of patties. Move patties to foil lined casserole dish. Pour half of the premade gravy over and around patties. Top with Onion slices. Bake for 50 minutes.
Before serving heat remaining gravy over medium heat in small pot. Add gravy to individuals liking.
Baked Macaroni & Cheese
Serves 6
Ingredients
1/2 pound elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon powdered mustard
3 cups milk
1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 large egg
12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
1 teaspoon salt
Fresh black pepper
Topping:
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup panko bread crumbs
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dent.
While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes.
Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
Melt the butter in a sauté pan and toss the breadcrumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the breadcrumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.
Cornbread
Serves 9
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup cornmeal
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Directions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8 inch square pan.
Melt butter in large skillet. Remove from heat and stir in sugar. Quickly add eggs and beat until well blended. Combine buttermilk with baking soda and stir into mixture in pan. Stir in cornmeal, flour, and salt until well
blended and few lumps remain.
Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Absolute perfection.
I kept it in the microwave after it was done to keep its warmth. Not sure it really helped.
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