Rice & Cheese Treasures

From Weelicious.com

2 cheese sticks (I used cheddar)
1 cup cooked rice, brown or white (it helps if rice is sticky, so if you're cooking the rice just for these balls, it helps to use a little extra water when making the rice)
2 Tbsp. Sesame Seeds or Gomasio

1. Cut cheese sticks into 1/2 inch cubes (depends on brand, but each stick should make around 7 cubes).

2. Take about 2 Tbsp. of the rice w/ moist or damp hands (to avoid sticking) & place cheese in the center, rolling the rice into a ball around it.

3. Place rice balls into a steamer pot over boiling water for 2 minutes. If you don't have a steamer, place in the microwave for 10 seconds or just until the cheese melts.

4. Sprinkle w/ sesame seeds or gomasio.

5. Serve.

*** I used a steamer & think I'll spray it w/ cooking spray next time, to prevent the rice from sticking.

*** Definitely make sure that your hands are wet when rolling the rice! Plus, make sure to pack the balls tightly or else they'll fall apart while steaming.

*** I used white minute rice because I was lazy. :P

Triple Layer Cookie Bars

1/2 cup butter
1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1 (7oz) package flaked coconut (2 2/3 cups)
1 (14oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (12oz) semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter

Preheat oven to 350 (325 for glass pan).

In 13x9x2 inch baking pan, melt butter in oven. Sprinkle crumbs evenly over butter. Top evenly w/ coconut, then sweetened condensed milk.

Bake for 25 minutes or until lightly browned.

In small saucepan, over low heat, melt the chocolate chips w/ peanut butter. Spread evenly over hot coconut layer.

Cool 30 minutes, then chill. Cut into bars. Store cookies loosely covered @ room temperature.

Macaroni Au Gratin

(Taken from back of macaroni box)
2 cups Elbow Macaroni
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. flour
2 cups milk
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2lb. American or Cheddar cheese*
1/2 cup buttered bread crumbs**

Cook Elbow Macaroni & place in buttered casserole dish.

Melt butter in saucepan, add flour & milk, stir slowly until it thickens. Add salt & pepper.

Cut cheese into cubes & scatter over macaroni.

Cover top w/ bread crumbs.

Pour sauce over all.

Bake in moderate oven (350 degrees) for 30 minutes.

*- I just used shredded cheese & definitely didn't measoure! :) I probably used a ton (used Cheddar & some Colby Jack).
**- I have no clue what buttered bread crumbs are, so I just used plain.