All About The Gregory's

Father's Day Weekend 2012

This weekend the Gregory household was very, very busy. I started off the weekend with a trip to Marshall's. I love Marshall's and always find some of the cutest housewares. I was actually looking for some interesting hot sauces that I could give my Dad for Father's Day. Unfortunately they did not have any in stock but I did stumble across these pretty drink dispensers. They were just perfect for Colton's birthday party or any other party that we plan to have in the future. After finding the drink dispensers I also remembered I had a $25.00 gift card. Don't you love it when that happens?! I purchased both of these for only $17.00 bucks! Can't beat a deal like that.

After my Marshall's trip I headed home to pick up husband and take him Father's Day shopping.

He picked out a shirt.........

and a couple pairs of shorts from one of his favorite Florida stores :)

After a little Father's Day shopping we headed home so I could start preparing some some goodies for Sunday out of my new cookbook!

I prepared these brownies.

Knock You Naked Brownies

Prep time: 15 minutes / Cook time: 23 minutes/ Servings:12

Ingredients:

1 box (18.5 ounce) German Chocolate Cake Mix

1 cup finely chopped pecans

1/3 cup evaporated milk

1/2 cup evaporated milk (additional)

1/2 cup butter, melted

60 whole caramels, unwrapped

1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup powdered sugar

Preparation Instructions:

1.) Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.)In a large bowl, mix together cake mix, pecans, 1/3 cup evaporated milk, and melted butter. Stir together until totally combined. Mixture will be very thick.

3.) Press half the mixture into a well-greased 9 x 9 inch square baking pan. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove pan from oven and set aside.

4.) In a double boiler (or a heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of boiling water) melt caramels with additional 1/2 cup evaporated milk. When melted and combined, pour over brownie base. Sprinkle chocolate chips as evenly as you can over the caramel.

5.) Turn out remaining brownie dough on work surface. Use your hands to press it into a large square a little smaller than the pan. Use a spatula to remove it from the surface, then set it on top of the caramel and chocolate chips.

6.) Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate for several hours. When ready to serve, generously sift powdered sugar over the surface of the brownies. Cut into either nine or twelve helpings, and carefully remove from the pan.

I swear these make the brownies so amazing!

I also prepared this Macaroni & Cheese dish.

Pioneer Woman Macaroni & Cheese

Prep time: 15 minutes/ Cook time: 15 minutes/ servings: 6

Ingredients:

4 cups dried macaroni

1 whole egg beaten

1/4 cup (1/2 stick or 4 tbsp) butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2-1/2 cups whole milk

2 tsp (heaping) dry mustard

1 pound cheese, grated

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp seasoned salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

optional spices: cayenne pepper, paprika, thyme

Preparation Instructions:

1.) Cook macaroni until very firm. Macaroni should be too firm to eat right out of the pot. Drain.

2.) In a small bowl, beat egg.

3.) In a large pot, melt butter and sprinkle in flour. Whisk together over medium-low heat. Cook mixture for five minutes, whisking constantly. Don’t let it burn.

4.) Pour in milk, add mustard, and whisk until smooth. Cook for five minutes until very thick. Reduce heat to low.

5.) Take 1/4 cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking eggs. Whisk together till smooth.

6.) Pour egg mixture into sauce, whisking constantly. Stir until smooth.

7.) Add in cheese and stir to melt.

8.) Add salt and pepper. Taste sauce and add more salt and seasoned salt as needed! DO NOT UNDER SALT.

9.) Pour in drained, cooked macaroni and stir to combine.

10.) Serve immediately (very creamy) or pour into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.