Grandma's Macaroni

This is my grandma's recipe for macaroni; it's certainly nothing fancy but it's my favorite. Of course, despite using the same ingredients, mine doesn't taste as good as hers... Where can I buy bottled grandma love? I suspect that's her secret...



2 cups macaroni
1 can condensed tomato soup
1/2 cup onion, small dice
1/2 cup white cheddar cheese, small dice
salt and pepper
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons butter, melted
1 tablespoon Italian seasonings

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Combine macaroni, tomato soup, onion, cheese, salt and pepper. Pour in greased 13x9 baking dish. Heat oven to 375oF.

In separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs, butter and Italian seasonings. Sprinkle on top of macaroni.

Bake for 30 to 45 minutes until heated through and topping is slightly browned.

Yield: 8 portions

Guacamole, Boosted!

Have I ever mentioned how much I love love LOVE avocadoes? It's not something I ate growing up but now I can't get enough of that buttery green flesh! Yum! One of my favorite avocado recipe is guacamole and I happen to think this version is pretty darn tasty, especially as a topping for huevos rancheros! Make some today!



1 ripe avocado
2 tbsp red onion, finely diced
1 jalapeno pepper, finely diced
1 small tomato, finely diced
1 tbsp lime juice
1/2 tsp salt

Peel and pit avocado. Mash flesh until mostly smooth (I like to leave a few small chunks). Mix in red onion, jalapeno, tomato, lime juice and salt. Enjoy!

Grilled Vegetables and Herbed Cream Cheese on Ciabatta

This is a great recipe for a weekend lunch, light but bursting with flavour! I served with a mixed spring greens/dried cranberries salad with dijon/balsamic vinegar dressing.



125 g cream cheese (I used light cream cheese)
1 scallion, thinly sliced
1 clove of garlic, minced
Dried dill, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste

1 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp basil pesto
1 loaf Ciabatta, halved

1 red onion, sliced
1 zucchini, sliced lengthwise
3 Portobello caps
1 red pepper, quartered
Olive oil

Mash cream cheese with scallion, garlic, dill, salt and pepper. Set aside.

Mix first portion of olive oil and pesto. Brush on Ciabatta and toast on hot grill. Set aside to cool. Once cooled, spread cream cheese mixture on bottom half.

Sear vegetables on hot grill.

Assemble sandwich - pile on grilled onion slices, zucchini slices, Portobello caps, red pepper quarters and top half of Ciabatta loaf.

Slice in 3 or 4 pieces.