The Pioneer Woman's Mac & Cheese

Have you been over to visit Ree yet?

You haven't?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

Are you crazy? And don't you give me those big 'ol innocent "Who's Ree?" eyes! Get over there!! Right now!! Here's the link: http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/

Now go!!!

Well - wait. Go after you read this.

See, Ree is this lady who runs this web-site called The Pioneer Woman, and it chronicles her life as a city-bred modern woman who finds herself married to a cowboy and living on an honest-to-goodness real-live working cattle ranch.

It's one of my very favorite sites. For one thing, it's hilarious. For another, Ree champions all good homemakers everywhere. No matter your situation, she gets it...every dirty, stinking, unappreciated bit. And for another, she's a red-head.

Which is actually reason enough.

Anyway - Ree likes to cook, and she has some GREAT recipes. I have to say that every one I've tried, I've loved. So I'm going to share one of my favorites with you.

Keep in mind that when P-Dub (as she sometimes calls herself) posts a recipe...she goes all out. There are step-by-step instructions with gorgeous color photos, and lots of Pioneer Woman commentary (which is usually pretty funny). I recommend checking out the recipe on her site (along with all the others). But if you're impatient, you can get it here.

I'm not sure I have all the proper authority to re-print it, but as long as you know IT IS NOT MINE, and ALL PIONEER WOMAN, I think we're safe!!

But seriously...go check out her site. You won't be sorry!!

PS - One of the best things about Pioneer Woman recipes is that she is feeding her own family of 6, and usually a few ranch hands as well...so you RARELY need to double.

Pioneer Woman's Mac & Cheese

4 cups cavatappi

1/4 to 1/2 of a red onion, diced

equal amount of red pepper, diced

1 4 oz. can chopped green chilis

1 cup frozen corn

1 jalapeno, de-seeded and diced (if you dare)

1 heaping cup grated pepper jack cheese

2-3 cloves garlic

1 cup heavy cream

olive oil

2 TBS butter

salt and pepper

1. Boil pasta until al dente.

2. In a large skillet, add olive oil and saute onions, bell pepper, jalapeno, garlic, and corn over medium heat for a couple of minutes. Add in canned chilis and stir around, then turn off heat.

3. Drain pasta and add it to skillet. Pour on cream, add cheese, then add salt and pepper to taste and stir gently. At the end, add 2 tablespoons butter and stir again. Salt and pepper to taste.

4. Serve as a side with steak, chicken, shrimp, or have it be the main course!!

Courtesy to The Pioneer Woman @ http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/.