TODAY tonight: Smoky Bacon Mac & Cheese

Goooooood morning, Internet!  I'm back with another TODAY tonight, which is a series where I make something at home that Carson ate at work and absolutely loved, mostly just to get him to shut up about it.  Just kidding!  I love hearing him talk!  Anyway, after he tried this Smoky Bacon Mac & Cheese (along with the gruyere and caramelized onion one) he said it was probably the best thing he's ever eaten on the show, and that Matt Lauer shared similar sentiments.  That's a pretty good review, if you ask me.  We had some friends over this weekend so it seemed like the perfect opportunity to make it and it, was, delicious.  Delicious enough to use commas inappropriately.  It's made with smoked gouda and pepperjack cheese, applewood smoked bacon and seasoned with cayenne and paprika... which all contribute to the most wonderful smoky flavor.  And it doesn't hurt that you use bacon fat to make the roux.  Definitely try it at your next gathering, especially if you're a bacon fan, and if you try the other one please send me your thoughts!   

Recipe HERE.

TODAY tonight: Pork Chile Verde

Look at me!  Look at me!  I'm blogging!  I'm blogging!  It seems like every year, I take an unintended hiatus over Thanksgiving.  We usually travel to Los Angeles, and it's hard to keep up with cooking and posting recipes, even though it seems ALL I'm doing is eating, eating and eating.  But now I'm back... just in time for the most wonderful time of the year (minus waking up every morning and realizing I forgot to move that damn elf... ugh, that smirk).

I can't wait to flood this site with holiday baking but for now, let's talk about delicious comfort food.  On the Today Show yesterday, Padma Lakshmi made a chile that the crew raved and raved about.  Savannah even sent me a text, urging me to make it (and you don't ignore a woman who is 9 months pregnant).  It begins with this verde sauce consisting of tomatillos, avocados, jalape�os, cilantro and tons of yummy spices.  By the way, you should absolutely double this sauce and save some because it's ridiculous.  Then ground pork, onions and cannellini beans are added to a pot along with the sauce, stock, oh, and did I mention tequila?  The depth of flavors are intense, and yet it's also something I think your kids would enjoy (especially if you de-seed the jalape�os like I did).  

You can find the recipe HERE.

Have a great weekend!

TODAY tonight: Pumpkin & Sausage Lasanga

Mid-mornings in our house go something like this.  Carson comes home from the Today Show, telling me all about what he's just eaten.  "Oh my god, Ina was on today and she made filet mignon with a creamy mustard sauce and it was the most incredible thing I've ever eaten."  And my reply?  "I found a half-eaten piece of frozen waffle by the fireplace and I ate that.  It was dusty."  But, pathetic breakfast aside, I do appreciate his opinion because sometimes I see food on TV and I'm not sure if it will translate at home.  Well, a few weeks ago he came home raving about this lasagna made with a creamy, cheesy pumpkin sauce.  He knows I'm not a huge fan of pumpkin, especially if the flavor is strong, but he insisted I'd love this.  He was right!  Don't tell him.

I LOVED this lasagna.  The pumpkin isn't overwhelming, but it turns this dish into fall comfort food at it's best, with help from flavors like a dash of nutmeg and fresh sage.  It will feed an army, so make it for a World Series game or Halloween or the Circus (election night).     

Recipe here.

*Side note, I made this for a dinner party that I ended up canceling because my son caught the stomach bug.  I thought it was probably irresponsible to serve food with a side of lysol.  Oh, and if you're wondering if my daughters ended up getting sick, yes they did.  At the same time, and I can't decide if I like that better or worse than staggering the illness.  

Stomach Bug for President!  I'm delirious.     

TODAY tonight: Cacio e Pepe

On this episode of "TODAY: tonight" - where I recreate something Carson ate at work and loved more than his wife and kids (just kidding) - I'm showing off this cheesy, peppery, SIMPLE AF pasta dish that only requires 3 ingredients.  Three!  Pasta, pepper and cheese, and, you know, a little bit of olive oil and water... but that doesn't count.  It couldn't be easier and yet there are definitely crucial steps, like cooking the pasta until al dente, reserving the pasta water for the sauce, using course ground pepper and really good cheese.  If you do those things, you will truly love this dish.  Perfect for a night when you have no other plans for dinner... just serve with a salad and crusty bread and you're done!  Check out the recipe here.