8/18/2012

I Just Had To Share Yummy Dinosaur Mac-N-Cheese

If any of my wonderful readers have ever heard of the great Dinosaur Bar-B-Que then you know the raves they get for their mouth watering mac-n-cheese. We are not talking about just another cheesy and creamy mac dish, oh no, it's a very delicious and unique adult & kid loving eat-em-up mac-n-cheese and I've finally found the recipe. My father's wife actually gave it to me because she's lucky enough to have almost every recipe of theirs. She's from Syracuse and that's where Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is really big, in fact I believe they have quite a few restaurants out there which is something us out here in the west don't have.
So anyhow here it is:
2 Tablespoons vegetable oil
3/4 cup onion, diced
1/3 cup green pepper, diced
1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic (1 clove)
2 ounces flour (about a scant 1/2 cup)
1 1/2 cups water
1 1/2 cups half-and-half
7 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
2 1/2 ounces Colby cheese, shredded
5 ounces American cheese, shredded (I cubed slices of American cheese)
2 ounces Pecorino Romano, shredded
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon lemon pepper
 1/2 teaspoon sugar
 1 teaspoon French's mustard
1 teaspoon white vinegar
3/4 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
 3/4 pounds elbow macaroni (you could go up to 1 pound to make it serve more/less rich)
TOPPING:
4 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon Pecorino Romano cheese

Heat oil in a large pot. Add onions and peppers; cook until onions are translucent. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Stir in flour. Add water and half-and-half. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes. Using an immersion blender, puree this mixture until it is smooth (if using a regular blender, work in batches, filling the pitcher only half-full, since the liquid will be hot). Slowly add cheeses to warm pureed mixture, making sure all cheese is melted before adding more. (If the cheese isn't melting, return the pot to low heat and stir constantly.) Once cheese is completely melted, add salt, lemon pepper, sugar, mustard, vinegar and Tabasco. Stir to combine. Cook dried elbow macaroni in boiling water, according to manufacturer's instructions. Cook until al dente, not completely soft. Combine hot, cooked pasta and sauce in the large pot; stir well to combine. Pour entire mixture into a greased 11-inch-by-7-inch pan or close to it. Top with 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese and 2 tablespoons of Pecorino Romano cheese.
Bake at 400 for approx: 15-20 mins then place under broiler until top is golden brown and bubbling.
Serve immediately & Enjoy!!!
I hope you all enjoy this and I will post more Yummy Dinosaur Recipies soon!!!

Shabby Chic Spaces

Hello, Gina's Friends! I’m Joanna, a writer for Arcadian Home—a wonderful online shop full of delightful home accessories and decor. I’m so excited to be a guest on Bella Maison Tresors. I’ve brought along a few of my favorite shabby chic rooms to share with you today. Enjoy! Shabby Chic Spaces This dainty dining room features palladium windows which let in lots of sunshine. An accent wall is painted a pale blue hue. The cabinet has touches of blue paint showing through a coat of white. The pretty floral rug anchors the room and provides pattern. Shabby Chic Spaces Architectural found objects give this space a sense of history. The contrast works well between the weathered pieces and the pristine white tailored sofa. A small marble coffee features a cherub base. Shabby Chic Spaces An eat-in kitchen is filled with shabby chic treasures I’d love to add to my own home decor. The weathered table provides the perfect spot for a cup of tea with a friend. Shabby Chic Spaces I love this flirty outdoor space with its vintage crystal chandelier, white wicker furniture and rustic coffee table. The painted white floorboards add to its shabby appeal. Shabby Chic Spaces The white furnishings play well off of the dark wood of the floors and the rusticity of the brick fireplace. A mirrored window frame casts light back into the room from the outside windows draped in a soft champagne hue. Shabby Chic Spaces A charming kitchen with a generous serving of shabby chicness is quite welcoming. If I were the owner I wouldn’t want to leave the space. The marble topped island with a weathered base provides lots of room for food prep. Shabby Chic Spaces Slipcovered furnitures and vintage finds give a casual inviting feel to this enchanting living room. The large rosary hangs on an old door on which two portraits are hung. Shabby Chic Spaces A mint-hued medicine cabinet hangs over an old cabinet made into a sink vanity. Small floral plates add a decorative touch. What a pretty place to primp in the morning!  Images: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 I hope you loved these shabby chic spaces as much as we did! Let us know what you think of our post and don't forget to check out Arcadian Home, your source for all your furniture and home decor needs!

8/13/2012

Shabby Pale Rooms of Color

I’m so excited to be a guest on Bella Maison Tresors! My name is Mari and I write for Design Shuffle, a terrific website and blog which provide a platform for interior designers to share their work and design enthusiasts to find decorating ideas galore. I’ve collected a eight rooms featuring the palest of hues. While it’s true many shabby chic rooms can found decorated in glorious white, there are others that still hold true to the style but feature lovely bits of color. I hope you enjoy today’s post! Shabby Pale Bedrooms A pretty brick wall provides the perfect backdrop for this chic bedroom. Pale pinks and greens add a hint of color amongst the white bedding and furnishings. The crystal chandelier adds a bit of romance to the space. Shabby Pale Bedrooms Light cream and just a touch of soft pink warm this all white bedroom. The ornate bed provides a retreat from the worries of the day. Shabby Pale Bedrooms The palest of grays covers the walls and some of the furnishings in this delicate décor. The French bed boasts a velvet head and foot board framed in soft gold. Silvery silk panels frame the windows beautifully. Lots of interior design ideas to be found in this space! Shabby Pale Bedrooms Whispery blue covers the bed in this shabby chic bedroom. The weathered chest adds a rustic appeal against the high white flooring and walls. Can’t you just imagine curling up for a mid-day nap in this serene setting? Shabby Pale Bedrooms The soft mint walls provide a lovely canvas in this romantic bedroom. The distressed wrought iron bed adds a touch of rusticity to the room. A feminine floral ties the colors of the room together. Shabby Pale Bedrooms A pretty sage headboard rests against a wall of the same hue. The petite side table and café curtain add a dainty touch to the décor. Shabby Pale Bedrooms So many stunning elements in this captivating bedroom design! The decorative armoire is glorious in a soft white with green undertones. Next, two busts donning flower laden hats sit atop a cabinet that doubles as a headboard. Shabby Pale Bedrooms Pale washed walls give this shabby chic bedroom its lovely coastal feel. With just one pop of red, soft watery hues on the bed add a shabby feel to crisp white sheets. It’s such a nice space for guests to relax in. Images: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 Are you a fan of shabby and pale bedrooms? Make sure to let us know and don't forget to check out Design Shuffle's Design Gallery for more bedroom decorating ideas!