Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese

Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese 

While I love to share all of my adventures across this lovely country, sometimes its fun to change it up.  And with the holidays creeping up on us (hello Thanksgiving next week..) I thought I would share some great, hardy (and fun) recipes.  Because lets be honest... sometimes the most traveling we are doing these days is to family functions and are holiday related.  And why show up empty handed when you can show up with Buffalo Chicken mac and cheese?

So in honor of holiday travels, I wanted to feature some fun recipes I have been trying for the upcoming holiday season.  This one may not scream HOLIDAY but it sure as heck screams comfort and delicious (Sorry, it does not scream healthy).  And it was great to have stashed away when all I could eat was mush after my wisdom teeth surgery.

 You can find the original recipe courtesy of Food Network here.   It was simple to make, made a TON, and froze really well.  I made this sized dish and a smaller dish. I  froze the glass dish after cooking it through, and then let it thaw and popped it in the oven to warm the day of.  That is my kind of cooking.  This was insanely delicious, comforting, and I loved the kick.  I highly recommend using Franks for the hot sauce.  And if you do not like celery (like me) don't worry, it melts away in this dish and you just get the awesome flavor.  

Ingredients

7 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for the dish

Kosher salt

1 pound elbow macaroni

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 stalks celery, finely chopped

3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken

2 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 cup hot sauce (preferably Frank's)

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons dry mustard

2 1/2 cups half-and-half

1 pound yellow sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes (about 3 1/2 cups)

8 ounces pepper jack cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)

2/3 cup sour cream

1 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)

1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese

2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and butter a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil; add the pasta and cook until al dente, about 7 minutes. Drain.

Meanwhile, melt 3 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and celery and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chicken and garlic and cook 2 minutes, then add 1/2 cup hot sauce and simmer until slightly thickened, about 1 more minute.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the flour and mustard with a wooden spoon until smooth. Whisk in the half-and-half, then add the remaining 1/4 cup hot sauce and stir until thick, about 2 minutes. Whisk in the cheddar and pepper jack cheeses, then whisk in the sour cream until smooth.

Spread half of the macaroni in the prepared baking dish, then top with the chicken mixture and the remaining macaroni. Pour the cheese sauce evenly on top.

Put the remaining 2 tablespoons butter in a medium microwave-safe bowl and microwave until melted. Stir in the panko, blue cheese and parsley. Sprinkle over the macaroni and bake until bubbly, 30 to 40 minutes. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Courtesy Food Network Magazine

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/buffalo-chicken-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe.html?oc=linkback

Mount Olympus - Salt Lake City, Utah

Hiking Mount Olympus

Salt Lake City, Utah 

Mount Olympus is a tough hike. When a hike is this popular, I always think 'it can't be that bad'.  And then I am always surprised by how tough Utahns are.  While this hike isn't terribly long (about 7 miles round trip).  It is insanely steep.  And its that short distance matched with the elevation gain that makes this hike a doozie.  

Thatcher's family was in town for a few days, just in time for him to fracture his ankle and land himself in a walking boot.  So I was glad to play hiking guide.  I spent some time researching a good hike to take them to. They wanted something challenging, and wanted to climb a peak.  In Utah in mid November, that doesn't leave you a ton of options due to the thick blanket of snow covering most of Utah's peaks.  After some research, I came across Mount Olympus.  Mount Olympus was a good choice because it is close to the city (20 minutes from downtown), and the distance is on the shorter side.  It is a peak with a gorgeous view, and because it is lower elevation than most of Utah's peaks, it wasn't completely covered in snow yet.  This was also a gorgeous hike so close to the city.  Within 20 minutes we were at the TH and ready to hike.  You quickly leave the busy highway and follow the trail into Mount Olympus Wilderness.

 For comparison:

Timpanogos: 7.5 miles 1 way 4,600' elevation gain, TH at ~7,100' peaks at around 11,700' 

Mount Olympus:  3.5 each way, 4,100' elevation gain, TH ~5,000' peaks at around 9,000' 

The lower elevation of Olympus' peak meant that we could summit without all the snow of other Utah peaks.  But this hike also meant we were climbing almost the same elevation as Timp in half the distance.  What that means is S T E E P. 

Trailhead: Mount Olympus Trailhead is located on the east side of Wasatch Boulevard.  4500 south, drive south on Wasatch Boulevard for ~ 1.6 miles to the parking area.  A sign on the left will say Mount Olympus.  There will be a raised parking area on the left by a large rock known as Petes Rock.  You can also park on the right side of Wasatch Boulevard.

Details: 3.6 each way, ~7.2 RT, 4,100' elevation gain.

The trailhead is at ~5,000' and the summit peaks at around 9,000' .

Dog friendly YES         Kid friendly NO

Don't Forget:  The number one thing I hear about this hike is how tough it can be in the summer.  There is no shade, and no water along the way.  Make sure you bring plenty of water for you and your dog.  This hike is much more enjoyable in the spring or the fall.  If hiking later in the year as I was, make sure you pack your microspikes and treking poles.  We came across some snow at the top and were glad we had our spikes for the steep icey sections.  This is a popular trail and the trail is easy to follow.  Make sure you stay on the Olympus trail and don't wander off on the adjacent Bonneville Shoreline Trail (will be marked). 

The trail is very steep, and only gets steeper and rockier as you approach the saddle.  Once you approaching the saddle, its just a quick rock scramble up to the peak.  

While the trail is dog friendly, I had a hard time with my dog on the rocky last bit to the summit.  While she is used to rock scrambling, there were some seriously large gaps that seemed to scare her.  After trying to coax her up a few times, she sat down and started crying.  Thats when I knew she had enough.  It might be best to carry your dog up over the steep rocky sections just before the summit.

Don't forget to bring a ton of layers, water and food.  I went from a t-shirt to a coat hat and gloves on this hike.  It is windy and cold at the summit but you will work up a sweat on the climb.  

Mount Olympus Trailhead on Wasatch Blvd

Giant steps at the beginning of the Mount Olympus Trail

Petes Rock 

Mount Olympus Trail

Mount Olympus Trail

Mount Olympus Trail

Views of the valley from the Mount Olympus Trail

Views of the valley from the Mount Olympus Trail

Entering Mount Olympus Wilderness

Mount Olympus Trail

Packed snow and ice on the Mount Olympus Trail

Views from the Saddle Mount Olympus Trail

Views from the Saddle Mount Olympus Trail

Views from the Saddle Mount Olympus Trail

Steep rocky section right before the summit.  I could not get Olive past that large gap to the big boulder. 

Views from Mount Olympus 

Coming back from the peak

Mount Van Cott, Salt Lake City, Utah

One of the best things about Salt Lake City, and maybe THE best thing about it, is the cities proximity to the mountains.  In just 10 minutes, I can leave my apartment downtown and be hiking in the mountains above the city.  Salt Lake City is the perfect mix of urban and everything outdoorsy, just a hop skip and a jump away. 

This is exceptionally great when you are short on time, but still want to stretch your legs with Fido.  After being off for a few weeks after having my wisdom teeth removed, I was excited to get back outside.  I wanted to ease back into hiking, somewhere close, where the trails weren't too snowy of muddy.  If you are looking for a short hike, close to the city in the fall or winter months, then Mount Van Cott is the hike for you.

Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.   Less than 2 hours with an elevation gain of about 1450 feet.  Just under 3 miles round trip. Dog and Kid friendly! 

Parking spaces at the trailhead

Trailhead:  Follow 100 South and head east towards the University of Utah until it turns into North Campus Drive. Continue on that road and you will see the University Hospital on your right, and across the street, take a left into the Jewish Community Center.  Drive into the community center and head to the back right corner to the substation fencing.  There are a few non permitted spots here for hikers.  Avoid the permitted spots for the community center.

Trail: To the left of the parking spots, enter the trail via the chain-link entrance next to the power substation. There are doggy bags and trash cans here as well.  You will hit a dirt road and follow the dirt road until you reach a steep trail on the right that connects you to the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST). Follow the trail up as you begin your ascent, and take a left when you reach the junction at the base of the mountain (right keeps you on the BST towards Red Butte).

Follow the single track up as it traverses across the mountain until you reach the next junction on the south side. Take a left and you'll walk along the ridge line (continuing straight will take you to the same spot, but an easier path with a gradual increase in elevation - look for  left just before the summit to get back on the original trail).

Views:  From the peak, you will have amazing views of  Salt Lake Valley in front of you, with the airport, Great Salt Lake, downtown area, and the University.  To your right, you will have views of Dry Creek Canyon below as you continue up the ridgeline. Before you know it, you'll have reached the summit through the exposed rock and short scrub brush, providing sweeping panoramic views that stretch into Davis County. The summit is a perfect spot to enjoy a sack lunch and catch your breath before you begin the trek back to the car.

Single track trail across the mountain

Views of the valley and the haze

Views of the valley and the haze

Views of the valley and the haze

Olive taking a break, looking over the valley 

Trail to Mount Van Cott

Olive with Dry Creek n the background

Olive looking into the valley

Admiring the view from the top! 

Mount Van Cott Trail

Mount Van Cott Trail

Mount Van Cott Trail

Mount Van Cott Trail

Coming back down the Mount Van Cott Trail

Mount Van Cott Trail

A beautiful quick hike with amazing views of the valley down below.  Days like today just make you feel so darn grateful to live in such a beautiful area, and for warm sunny days in November.

Happy Hiking!

KatieWanders Etsy Shop!

Hey Friends!

I am almost back to normal after a complicated wisdom teeth removal surgery (and a whole lotta pain).  While I haven't been able to hike and share any new fun adventures with you all, I have been busy!  

This week I opened up my brand new Katie Wanders Etsy Shop

where I will be selling some travel inspired gifts! 

I am starting with some custom State Art that comes framed.  Here you can buy these adorable state and US art pieces which would look amazing on your shelf, or on a gallery wall.  And obviously they make great gifts!

I am currently working on getting some wooden crate map holders up in the shop.

Thanks for all your support and please check out the shop! 

Katie Wanders Etsy Shop

Best Snow On Earth

Mid November and it has been snowing in the mountains for a few weeks.  If I lived in Connecticut, I would be cursing this fact.  But in Utah, winter is the best season and snow is celebrated. 

 Snowbasin received over a foot of snow Tuesday, while here in the city, we just saw some rain and slush. That is sort of the beauty about Salt Lake City and snow. You get snow where you want and need it (in the mountains) and snow where you do not want it (downtown, on your commute to school or work).  This happens for a few reasons. First, the mountains are at a higher altitude than the city, so they are much colder and precipitation that falls this time of year is going to be in the form of snow. Secondly, Salt Lake City is a prime example of the urban heat island effect. Because of all of the paved surfaces, lack of trees, and built environment, the city remains much warmer than the suburbs and surrounding areas, a phenomena that is really noticed during winter and at night. 

So as it snows in mountains, I figured today would be a good day to talk about Utah's snow. The snow here has been quoted by many as the "Best Snow On Earth". After a bad snow year last year, I can't fairly say it's the best, so I will let a few other sources do the talking on why this snow got its claim to fame. Utah takes this claim so seriously that it is even trademarked by the state. Ski industry advertisements often claim that Utah’s snow is the greatest because it is lighter and drier (low water content)... Powder! 

Utah’s Wasatch Mountains have a strong powder skiing reputation. For example, Alta and Snowbird ski areas, which are located in the Wasatch Mountains east of Salt Lake City, are the top rated resorts for powder in North America by Skiing Magazine and nearby Solitude and Brighton ski areas also rank in the top five. Source  As noted by legendary avalanche researcher and powder skier Ed LaChapelle, “the best deep-powder skiing is not found in the lightest snow, but rather in snow with enough ‘body’ to provide good flotation for the running ski” . Source

Utah receives an average of 500 inches of snowfall each year, with 18 storms bringing 12 or more inches of snow each. Each year Utah sees 40 snowstorms, and 250 days of winter according to the graphic below.

Think dense base, with fluffy snow on top, made possible by the Salt Lake (after crossing the lake, snow storms get colder and drier). Its important to remember its not just the TYPE of snow that gives Utah its fame, but the abundance of snow, ski resorts, and the proximity to the resorts. 11 ski resorts without an hour of the airport.  You can land at the international airport and be at many of the mountains in 30 minutes.  Or on a students term, you can go to class in the morning, ski all day, and make it back for your class at night.  

Utah also boasts the largest resort and most skiable terrain with the combination of Park City's two large resorts, Park City Mountain Resort and Canyons.   7,300 acres of skiable terrain and $50 million dollars in mountain improvements.  Its the combination of Utah's resorts and Utah's snow that gave it the term "Best Snow On Earth".  and with ski season just around the corner and snow falling in the mountains, now is the perfect time to catch up on your Utah ski facts.

See you on the slopes!