A Little Easter Dinner Party

It's Easter time once again! Put on your pastels and your new bonnet ...with all the frills upon it! I don't know about you, but the actual reason for celebrating this day is a little grizzly to me. I prefer to think this spring time holiday is about bunnies, colored eggs and sugary marshmallow ducks. I know this is probably a little shallow but whatever. My fondest Easter memories are of searching for our baskets that the "Bunny" had hidden about the house. And since Titanic is back in theaters, I am reminded of this giant book about the making of the movie I got one year from the Easter Bunny. Ah, secular holidays are the best.  

Cheeses Died for Your Sins: Baked Cheddar 'n Shells 

If you find yourself in a small group, among vegetarians or are simply too lazy/poor to make a ham, try this! This extremely heavy dish is fancy and affordable, well deserving of the main attraction for Easter dinner. Make it a pot luck, just like Jesus would have. Mac 'n Cheese has become so trendy lately so I based this recipe off a restaurant dish that my plus one liked. (and he hates mac 'n cheese!) Unfortunately I do not have a cheese grater, so I used a veggie peeler like a common savage.

You Will Need the Following: 

1 box medium shells

4 c sharp white cheddar (shredded)

1 c heavy cream

1/4 c whole milk

1 stick butter

2 cloves roasted garlic

1 tomato (diced)

1 yellow onion (sliced)

1 tbsp bread crumbs

salt & pepper

Step 1: Caramelize your onions by simmering them with oil in a skillet for 20 minutes. Dowse with sugar and simmer 10 more minutes or until browned but not crunchy. Drain and set aside. 

Step 2: Preheat oven to 425. In a saucepan, slowly melt together cheese, cream, butter, milk and garlic. Salt and pepper to taste. Boil pasta concurrently. 

Step 3: Drain pasta and return to pot. Once cheese is melted, pour over shells with tomato and caramelized onions. Toss thoroughly and press into casserole dish or individual baking dishes. 

Step 4: Top pasta with bread crumbs and eight butter pats. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes and serve. 

Serve One:

Or serve all: 

Lucifer's Famous Eggs

I make my deviled eggs without mayo because I can't stand it. Everyone has their own variation, this is mine:

You Will Need the Following

1 dozen eggs boiled, shelled and halved

2 tbsp (or more) sour cream

1 tbsp mustard

2 t-spoons lemon juice

1 deli dill pickle (diced)

2 t-spoon fresh thyme

paprika 

salt & pepper

Mix and mash all. Spoon into eggs. Top with paprika. 

Hope you have a wonderful Sunday,

and plenty of leftovers for Monday!