Indulge In {Cajun Mac N' Cheese}

I've been a Mac n' cheese fan ever since I was a child. What's not to love when you combine pasta and melted cheeses? My favorite is a recipe of my mom's that combines a rue with white wine and loads of cheese to make a decadent cheese sauce poured over penne and baked till bubbly. However, every once in awhile I like to mix it up. For the beer tasting I showed you yesterday, I made an out of this world Cajun mac n' cheese with creole seasoning, andouille sausage, and chicken. It's a great recipe to mix up the traditional and add a bit of flavor. Not to mention, it was a huge hit at the party! It can either be baked in individual ramekins  or in a large casserole dish family style. Whichever way you serve it up, your guests will be sure to thank you. Here's the recipe!

:: Ingredients ::

1 Box Penne Pasta

3 Cups Milk

4 Tablespoon Butter

4 Tablespoon Flour

16 oz Shredded Sharp Cheddar

1 Tablespoon Cajun Seasoning Blend

1/2 Cup Bell Pepper, diced

1/2 Cup Onion, diced

1 Tablespoon Garlic, minced

1 Tablespoon Cooking Oil

1 Can Diced Tomatoes, strained

1.5 Cups Andouille Sausage, sliced

1.5 Cups Chicken, cubed

1/2 Cup Shredded Sharp Cheddar for Topping

:: Directions ::

1. Cook pasta according to box directions. Strain and set aside.

2. In a medium pan, sautee bell pepper, onion and garlic in oil until onion is translucent. Set aside.

3. In a medium pot, melt the butter. Stir in flour and whisk until smooth paste forms. Add milk and whisk continually until it reaches a low boil and thickens. Mix in cheese and stir till melted. Add cajun seasoning. 

4. In a large bowl, combine pasta, pepper mixture, cheese sauce, 1 cup sausage, and 1 cup chicken. 

5. Pour into a greased casserole dish and top with remaining sausage, chicken, and shredded cheese.

6. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes or until sides are bubbly. 

Have a spicy Thursday!

Oktoberfest Beer Tasting

October is full of celebrations including fall festivals, bonfires, and Halloween gatherings. But the most overlooked October celebration though, is one of my favorites. Oktoberfest is the world's largest festival held every year in Munich. It originally began as a country wide marriage celebration for King Ludwig in 1810 but now, is associated with so much more, namely beer. The only beers allowed to be served at Oktoberfest must be brewed within the city limits of Munich and have to meet certain specifications including alcohol content and style. However, some of those beers can be a bit difficult to find stateside. So when hosting my own Oktoberfest gathering, I like to put a little spin on things by hosting a beer tasting featuring beers from around the world. I planned a similar event for the fall issue of LPF Magazine last year and decided to share with you today to get you in the Oktoberfest spirit. So, sit back, pour a pint and get inspired!

LPF Mag {Issue 2}

It's finally here! Issue 2 of LPF Mag is out and I'm so excited to share it with you. This time around I shared a beer tasting party and some amazing DIY Christmas gifts. Also in this issue you'll see Lauren's amazing Farm to Table party, Jocelyn's yummy soups to keep you warm, and an exploration of Charleston, South Carolina. As you kick off the weekend, I invite you to sit back and enjoy the latest issue with a cocktail in hand. Can't wait to hear what you all think!

Fall Vows

With the change of seasons upon us, I've been feeling crazy inspired. While that can be a very good thing, it has me feeling all over the board. Getting excited about everything that fall and fall gatherings can bring leaves me longing for a bit of focus. So, today I am taking the time to focus it all into one post. While the list is not extensive, I have gathered some of my favorite ideas as my blogging promise to you. Over the course of this season, I vow to give you tutorials on all of the following, amongst other things.

I love to hear from you too! Are you feeling especially inspired by something and don't know how to quite make it happen? Let me know and I'll do it for you. Feel free to comment here, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, it doesn't matter. After all, I want Events Uncorked to be relateable and a source of inspiration for you!

Have a great Wednesday!