Spicy Sausage Macaroni and Cheese

8oz of elbow macaroni
1lb spicy Italian sausage
1 tbsp EVOO
1/2 onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp flour
1 3/4 c milk, divided
2 c shredded cheddar cheese
2 oz velveeta
1 tsp Creole seasoning
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
salt, pepper to taste
1/2 c seasoned bread crumbs (used a combo of regular and panko)

Bake sausge at 350 F for 25 minutes.  Remove and thinly slice.  Set aside and leave oven on.  Grease a 2 quart baking dish.  Cook pasta according to directions; drain, rinse and set aside. In a large skillet, heat EVOO over medium heat.  Cook onion, garlic and sausage slices.  Combine with pasta and set aside.  Melt butter in the same skillet over medium heat.  Add flour; combine well.  Slowly whisk in 1 1/2 c milk, creole seasoning and cayenne pepper; stir constantly until thickened.  Add cheddar cheese, stirring till melted. Combine pasta, meat mixture, and cheese sauce in baking dish.  Season with salt and pepper.  Top with velveeta and bake at 350 F for 15 minutes.  Remove, add remaining 1/4 c milk, and stir well.  Top with bread crumbs.  Place in oven for additional 15 minutes.  Brown under broiler on high for 1 minute.  Serve with salad.

Pork Apple Stew

I made this the week before last but in our efforts to pack in anticipation of our house going up and our eventual move, I forgot to blog it and I forgot to take a picture... altho stew and slow cooker pics never look quite as appetizing as they are.

2 tbsp EVOO
1 lb boneless pork, cubed
1/4 c all purpose flour
1 yellow onion, chopped
3 carrots, chopped
3 sticks of celery, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
1 tsp thyme
2 tsp basil
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp red pepper flakes
2 potatoes, cubed
1 c red wine
4 c beef broth
2 Granny Smith Apples, chopped

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.  Toss pork with flour and brown in skillet; add onion and garlic and continuing cooking till translucent-do not burn garlic.  In slow cooker, combine all ingredients, including what has been cooked in skillet.  Stir well to combine.  Heat on high heat for 3 hours.  Stir and reduce to low for 4 hours.