School is officially back in session for everyone! Can you believe it? It seems like just yesterday that we were having our summer vacation and planning road trips. Now I’m planning meals and helping out with homework.
As most of you know, I lost my mother just over a year ago and one of the things that I remember most about her, was her love of cooking. She would have breakfast, lunch and dinner on the table and I would wonder where she ever found the time to do it all. I can barely get breakfast done and by the time that I finish breakfast, I’m almost done for the day.
I don’t have all the time in the world, and if you’re a parent, mom or dad, you might feel the same way I do, especially when you’re busy running around all day, or even if you work outside the home. When you get home, you don’t want to spend all day slaving on a stove, sometimes you want something quick and easy and of course nutritious AND delicious.
One such meal I love making is my mom’s favorite mac n cheese. I remember sitting around the table with my family eating and sharing in the joys of family. We would laugh and talk and even to this day I remember all the fun we had. In the Caribbean food brings family together. I am still not the cook that she was and I remember calling her to get her recipes, so I can incorporate them into our own meals. Recipes that I plan on handing down to my own kids. I decided that I would make her mac n cheese and give it a new twist.
As I mentioned, school is back in session and I would prefer not to be at a stove for hours on end trying to make a meal that is delicious and nutritious for my family. Having some sausage on hand from the Klement’s Sausage Company I decided to make my mom’s mac n cheese which doesn’t take very long to prepare, and add some of the Klement’s Garlic Summer Sausage that I had on hand. Klement’s Summer Sausage has an authentic European handcrafted taste that is delicious year round so don’t feel like you have to only eat it in the summer. I can however tell you that the kids just loved it. If you’ve never heard of Klement’s before, let me tell you a bit about them and if you can find them, I recommend giving them a try. At least you’re going to need to if you intend on making my recipe.
The Klement’s Sausage story began 60 years ago when three brothers- John, George and Ron Klement purchased a small sausage company in South Milwaukee. Word about the genuine, old country flavor spread quickly and before long, Klement’s was a favorite. They’ve grown a lot since that small 6-person operation, but haven’t lost sight of what made their family business a success. Hard work, dedication, and perfectly seasoned sausage. Klement’s Cooked and Smoked Sausage are created from old world European recipes that have been passed down for generations using only the finest ingredients and comes in a variety of flavors.
Now on to my Cajun Sausage Mac n Cheese.
Ingredients:
1 package of garlic summer sausage, cut into ½-inch slices
1 cup chopped red bell pepper
1 cup chopped green bell pepper
1 cup of chopped red onion
⅓ cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
1 qt whole milk
16 oz shredded mozzarella cheese
3 cups shredded mild Cheddar cheese
1 16oz package elbow pasta, cooked and kept warm
Instructions:
In a large skillet, cook sausage over medium heat until lightly browned, about 2 minutes.
Add red and green bell pepper to your sausage.
Sprinkle your peppers and sausage with flour and Cajun seasoning cook for 2 minutes until tender.
Slowly begin to add your milk, and cook, stirring until thickened.
Reduce heat to low, add cheeses stirring constantly, until cheese is melted.
Add cooked pasta, combine with your cheese sauce.
Serve immediately and enjoy.
I can tell you that after a long day at school my kids thoroughly enjoy this meal and they’d be the first to tell you that it tasted great before, but now it tastes even better, actually better than better with Klement’s sausage.
