Jakemann Racing

Last night’s dinner was wonderful. Instead of something from a can or a fast-food bag, marinated grilled pork chops headlined the meal, with a supporting cast of mashed potatoes, homemade macaroni, and fresh bread. The pork chops were marinated all day in a spicy sauce that gave them a great flavor. This sauce was also used to baste the cops as they grilled, which kept them moist. The mashed potatoes were whipped with real butter, giving them the creaminess unachievable with margarine. One of the highlights of the meal was the homemade macaroni, made from a good friend’s family recipe. It is as different from store-bought boxed macaroni as Santa Claus is from the Grinch: the noodles are boiled, then baked with a combination of two different cheeses, condensed milk, a hint of sugar and pinch of salt. When it emerges from the oven, it is cheesy and gooey, and not the bright orange that characterizes what most people think of when they hear “macaroni.” The bread was a simple Italian loaf, crusty outside and soft within, served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Its simplicity complemented the rest of the meal nicely. So, what’s for dinner tonight?