Clairie's Potato Soup

2 large russet or red potatoes ( peel if russet, I leave skins on for red)cooked and mashed. I use left    over baked potatoes, or could use left over mashed potatoes
1 med onion diced or 4 green onions sliced
small dab of butter
splash of olive oil
1 can cream of chicken soup
1-2  cans chicken broth (add 1 and then the other if thinner consistency desired. Or can add little bullion and water)
1 8 oz cream cheese
6 slices bacon cooked and crumbled
8-10 slices pepperoni chopped small
Cajun or creole seasoning to taste approx. 1tsp. Go light and adjust
handful of grated cheese

Saute onion in butter and olive oil until soft
add soup, cream cheese, and broth. mix until combined well
add mashed potatoes,crumbled bacon, and chopped pepperoni and mix.
add seasoning to taste, and handful of cheese
Serve

Mac N Cheese balls

Make homemade mac n cheese
can add:
chopped jalapenos
chopped spinach
crushed bacon
Cool completely, at least 2 hours
form into balls using Ice Cream scoop packing tightly
roll in flour
roll in beaten egg
roll in panko mixed with seasoned bread crumbs
fry

Skillet Bacon Mac n Cheese

Bechamel Sauce
Melt in a heavy 12" oven safe pan:
1/4 C unsalted butter

Whisk in:
1/4 C flour
cook about 2 minutes till bubbling

Stir in:
3 C hot milk
continue stirring as sauce thickens.
Add:
1/4 tsp nutmeg
salt and pepper to taste
cook additional 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat

In Salted water, boil 1 lb pasta till nearing al dente but not fully cooked.

Over low heat stir into Bechamel Sauce:
1 tsp dry mustard
1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper
Gradually add the Cheddar, Gruyere and 1 C of the Parmesan cheese. Stir till all of the cheese is melted. Add an additional cup of milk and 1/4 C heavy cream. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

In another skillet, cook 6 pieces of bacon till golden. Remove from pot reserving 3 Tbsp bacon fat.

Add drained pasta to sauce and stir to combine evenly.
In a small bowl combine:

1 1/2 C Panko
2 Tbsp chopped parsley
3 Tbsp reserved bacon fat
Sprinkle over top of pasta
cover with 1/2 C parmesan cheese
Bake 20-25 minutes till bubbling
Remove from oven and sprinkle with crumbled bacon
let rest 5 minutes before serving

Cabbage with Bacon

4 slcies bacon siced
1 med onion diced
1 Tbsp minced garlic
1 head cabbage chopped into 1 1/2 - 2" pieces
1/4 C water
salt and pepper to taste

Put bacon in large skillet or dutch oven, cook toll lightly crisped.
Remove bacon and drain drippings, leaving 3 Tbsp in pan
Add onion and garlic and cook till tender, about 3 minutes
Add chopped cabbage and water to onion
Cook about 12 minutes till crisp tneder, stirring occasionally
Add bacon back and stir gently to combine
Season with salt and pepper