It's Just Lunch

 And now, the moment you've all be waiting for... (at least I hope someone besides me was looking forward to this!) Week One of "It's Just Lunch." The basic idea is that once a week I'll do something special for lunch. Something besides the normal PB&J or microwaved leftovers. The name comes from the idea that it's literally one lunch a week. If I mess it up or it doesn't taste good it doesn't really matter. It's just lunch!

So for week one I made microwave mac and cheese and "fried" pickles. Both recipes are from Pinterest and both were delicious! I'll give you the recipe for the mac and cheese first. 

I used this recipe. I had seen on Pinstrosity that several of the "mac and cheese in a mug" pins were duds, so I used the one they recommended. 

Microwave Mac & Cheese

1/3 C Whole Grain 

1/3 + 1/4 C Water

1/3 C Cheese

2 t Milk

The whole grain pasta will cook differently than if you use white pasta. If you use white pasta it will probably just take a little less time to cook. Microwave the pasta and water in a very large mug (I had to transfer mine to a bowl because it boiled over) for 6 minutes, stirring at 4, 2, and 1 minute. Depending on how powerful your microwave is it may need to cook for a little more or less. Just keep an eye on it and you'll be fine. Add a heaping 1/3 C of cheese to the cooked pasta (leaving the thick water in the cup) and microwave for another 45 seconds to melt. Add a splash of milk, about 2 t, or however much you like, and stir. Enjoy!

 And now on to "fried" (baked) pickles. This is a messy recipe. It takes way longer if you don't just embrace the messiness. I used this recipe, slightly modified, and they came out delicious.

"Fried" Baked Pickles

3 Large Pickles

3 Eggs

3 T Milk

1 C Flour

1/2 C Bread Crumbs

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Mix the eggs and milk together and put the flour and breadcrumbs each in a seperate bowl. Slice your pickles into chips or spears. Dip the pickles in the flour, then the milk/egg mixture, then the breadcrumbs. Place on a lined baking sheet and bake for 7-10 minutes. Dip in ranch and enjoy!