Playing with my food #2

I title posts "Playing with my food" because I really like creating interesting dishes using left overs.

Scenario: Easter dinner with Sister and BIL.  We usually have boiled crawfish but they are just stupid expensive.  SOOO - BIL made a "New England Boiled Dinner"  with a Louisiana twist.

  Ham
  Corned Beef
  Whole onions
  Both red and fingerling potatoes
  Whole carrots
  Garlic pods
  Mushrooms
  Cabbage

All boiled together.

The Louisiana twist was a couple of Tbsps. of Zatarain's Liquid Seafood Boil.

The juice of a couple of lemons - rinds tossed into the boil.

My DH left this A.M. for business in Houston.  I take advantage of his business trips to treat myself to carbs and cheesy cream sauces.

After inspecting the contents of the refrigerator I decided  to make a casserole.

I had 1/2 red onion, 1/2 yellow onion and 1/2 yellow bell pepper.  Diced them all and sautéed in 3 Tbsps. butter and 1 Tbsp. XV Olive oil.  Added 2 cloves garlic smashed and minced and some water chestnuts from a previous dinner - diced.  1 rib celery dived. 

I had both ham and corned beef.  Diced the meat and added to the vegetable mix.  I also had carrots, onions and cabbage from the boiled dinner.  Diced and added to the skillet

Cooked some Penne noodles.

Made a blonde roux - just a little.  2 Tbsps. butter and 2 Tbsps. flour. Cooked until golden and fragrant. 

Added 1/2 & 1/2 and cream. 

I had some extra sharp cheddar cheese and twice as much Jarlsburg. 

Diced the cheese and melted in the cream/roux mixture.  I did have to add more 1/2 & 1/2.

Stirred the cheese mixture into the meat, veggie, pasta mixture. 

Transferred to a casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees until bubbly and a little brown on top. 

So rich and luscious that I need to take a nap.

I REALLY like re-purposing left overs.

Enjoy

When my husband leaves town I usually have a can of sardines in tomato sauce or crab or shrimp. Things he doesn't like or to which he is allergic. This time I made a cheesy crab WW spaghetti casserole. Yours sounds better!

Sanderson - if I cared about what other people thought I would be embarrassed about the rich, cheesy, creamy, high carb dishes that I prepare for myself when my DH is out of town. 

Since I do not care I just enjoy.

BTW - from my recipes you would think that I would be on the chunky side.  NOT!  I am 5' 3" and 130 lbs. 

I am a bit of a DIVA.  I like my heels, tall boots, leggings/jeggings, bling/bling sandals, jewelry and make up.  I am a real Southern Woman.