Smoked Gouda Mac with Leeks and Bacon

I love leeks, I love bacon, I love cheese, I love pasta.

This is by far not a healthy meal, but a yummy one.

2 Leeks, lighter green parts sliced and chopped (make sure they are cleaned well)
1/4 lb bacon diced
1/2 lb smoked Gouda grated
1/4 cup mozzarella cheese grated
1/8 cup flour
1 cup milk
1 tbs Dijon mustard
Small squirt of ketchup (optional)
a couple shakes of Tabasco
1/2 lb elbow noodles
salt/pepper

Cook the bacon until crisp over the stove and transfer to a paper plate with paper towels when done. Leave the bacon fat in the pan (not a lot, just enough to saute the leeks).

Start boiling the water for the pasta and cook according to package while you make the leeks and cheese sauce.

Saute leeks for about 8 minutes or until soft. Season with salt/pepper.

Remove leeks and place with cooked bacon. Add flour and milk and whisk to eliminate flour clumps. Cook on low/medium for a couple of minutes. Add cheese and melt. Add leeks, bacon, hot sauce, ketchup and Dijon and stir.

Add cooked pasta to cheese sauce and serve.

Zucchini Couscous

My friend Vivian was kind enough to bring me a zucchini from her garden. This zucchini was HUGE!!!! I used it in lasagna one night and then in couscous.

Zucchini Couscous

2 cups couscous (I got mine from Trader Joe's)
2 cups chicken stock
1 zucchini diced or sliced
2 shallots diced
olive oil
salt and pepper

While you bring chicken stock to a boil, saute the shallots and zucchini with olive oil, salt and pepper. Once the chicken stock is boiling, add the couscous, turn off the heat and cover for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and add the veggies. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.

Easy summer side dish that doesn't require the oven!