Mac n Cheese: A Cheater's Guide

What? Macaroni and cheese? C'est impossible! You had given up all hope of experiencing such deliciousness ever again. But fear not, dear readers! Beauty and magic and goodness are still present in our world. So, you could spend hours browsing teh interwebz in search of a super legit, complex, vegan, gluten-free casserole-style macaroni and cheese recipe. By all means, be our guest. Or, you could take us up on the alternative. Below you will find a a sufficiently tasty short-cut recipe, appropriate for the cooking-challenged (though you may want to seek some supervision, just in case).

Here at Culinary Misadventures, we like to keep things fancy. As a result, you get recipes like Jalapeño and Onion Mac n Cheese. But if you don't like jalapeños, just skip them. However, if you don't like onions, you seriously need to reevaluate your life-style and personal values. Here it is!

Jalapeño and Onion Macaroni and Cheese
Ingredients

• 1 packet of Mrs. Leeper's corn pasta - elbows or rotelli
• 1 packet Daiya cheddar cheese
• 1 medium sweet onion (or whatever type of onion tickles your fancy)
• 1 can jalapeño peppers or two fresh jalapeño peppers
• healthy dose of salt Salt
• obnoxious dose of salt Pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.
2. Cook pasta as directed on bag. If you're using Leeper's, stir the pasta around a bit when you first put it in. Otherwise, it likes to get all clumpy. Unclumping pasta is not a fun task.
3. Drain the pasta (obviously). Then pour about half of it into the casserole dish.
Mmmmmmmmm the yellowest pasta you will ever eat.
4. Cover the pasta with onions and jalapeños. Then top this off with about half the bag of cheese and some salt and pepper.
Tasty looking?  I know.  I made it, didn't I?
5. Pour in the rest of the pasta.
6. Repeat step 4. If you're feeling extra fancy add even more onions on top of the cheese.  Just brush your teeth later.  It's all good.
7. Put the covered casserole dish into the oven and bake for 20 minutes.
8. Remove lid. Bake for another 10 minutes.
So gooey.  And delicious.
Once more, this time with dramatic zoom.  For effect.
9. Eat and enjoy. Yummmmmmm.

Staple: Lentil Spinach Soup

There are a few recipes that everyone should have under their belt so that in a pinch you can whip up something delicious. 

Lentil soup is definitely one of these recipes.  Whenever I make it I don't follow an exact recipe, but this is pretty close.  you can always switch up the vegetables to suit your tastes.

Ingredients

• 2 cups dry lentils
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 6 cups water
• 1 sweet onion
• 3 garlic cloves
• 3-5 cups baby spinach
• 2 carrots

Directions

1.  Rinse and drain the lentils.  Boil the vegetable broth and water.  Add lentils to the pot.  Cover and cook for about 5 minutes.
2. Chop the carrots into small cubes and add them to the pot.  Chop up garlic and add.  Give it a quick stir and replace lid to cook for another 20 minutes.
3. Slice the onion and add it to the pot along with the spinach.  Cook another 5-10 minutes or until the soup is thick.
4. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Scrambled Tofu

Contains: Soy

Yes, scrambled tofu. I know it sounds a bit weird, but it is DELICIOUS! It is basically stir-fry with crumbled up tofu and curry. And the best part is you can pretty much put in all the veggies your little heart desires. Personally, I am slightly obsessed with onions, spinach, and mushrooms, so those pretty much make it into any veggie dish I cook up. And I like my scrambled tofu with a LOT of veggies. Feel free to put in any of your favorite veggies, like broccoli and bell peppers. The following recipe is more of a guideline.

I know it is technically a "breakfast food," but it also makes a great lunch or dinner. Scrambled tofu also tastes great reheated, so you can make it the night before and store it in the fridge if you know you're going to be short on time in the morning.

Recipe after jump

Spicy Sick Day

One of the worst parts about having a funky diet is that you lose the luxury of having food delivered to you when you're sick.  Making a quick trip down to the store for something prepackaged doesn't always work out either.  Despite how fun it may sound to be on your feet in the kitchen when you feel all achy and disgusting, it really isn't.  Therefore I've compiled a few recipes that are quick, easy, and will clear your head up.  At least for a little bit, that is.

I happen to LOVE spicy foods.  I have several different forms of cayenne pepper around at all times, as well as an anaheim chili or two.  Not only do spicy peppers help relieve congestion, but they are usually full of vitamin C and just taste plain amazing.  If you prefer to go easy on the heat go ahead and reduce the levels but when you're sick and have limited use of your taste buds more can really do the trick.

So without any further fluff, here are Sarah's Spicy Sick Day Recipes!
(After jump)