Jalapeño Popper Mac and Cheese Inspired by TheModernProper.com
Ingredients
Out-of-town relatives who are visiting for the holidays might wonder what makes Emmett so special. But we already know the Treasure Valley is full of gems — and we don’t just mean the rocks. Here are some additional reasons Emmett and The Gem State are great. WE’VE GOT SUNSHINE On average, we have 210 sunny days per year. Compare that to 144 rainy days in Portland and we can feel pretty happy about all our free vitamin D. Directions • 2 sticks butter, divided • 1/3 cup flour • 5 cups milk • 8 oz cream cheese • 3 cups shredded white cheddar cheese, divided • 4 cups shredded pepper jack cheese, divided
MOUNTAIN RANGES Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, we don’t have to go far to find mountaintop winter activities. If skiing or tubing is your idea of winter fun, Bogus Basin is just a short drive away, and heading to McCall makes a fun weekend getaway. ... AND RIVERS Not only are we surrounded by the Payette and Boise rivers, Idaho is also home to the deepest gorge in North America: Hells Canyon. Take that, Arizona! • 2 tsp salt • 2 tsp garlic powder • 1/2 tsp pepper • 1 lb bacon, chopped and cooked • 8 jalapeños, seeded and chopped • 1 lb macaroni, cooked • 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
GOOD CHEER Beer lovers, rejoice! Idaho is the world’s largest hop producer, and more and more people are taking advantage of our agricultural bounty by opening breweries in the Treasure Valley. Share a few of these treasures with visiting family members and their only question will be “How did we not come here sooner?”
1. Preheat oven to 375 F. 2. In a large saucepan, melt 1 stick butter over medium heat. Add flour and whisk until fully absorbed in butter. Whisk in milk slowly. 3. Once sauce thickens, stir in cream cheese and shredded cheese until melted, reserving 1 cup of each shredded cheese. Add seasonings, bacon, and jalapeños before removing from heat, then combine pasta and sauce. 4. In a small skillet, melt remaining butter and stir in panko. 5. In a greased baking dish or skillet, add macaroni and top with panko and remaining cheese. Bake for 30–40 minutes and serve warm.
JOKES DAD
What month is best for a music festival? ROCK-tober
Why did a scarecrow win the Nobel prize? He was outstanding in his field.
Facts Tooth Fun
Sloth’s Secret Skill: Swimming DID YOU KNOW? Did you know that sloths are surprisingly good swimmers? Despite their slow movement on land, sloths are proficient swimmers, sometimes moving three times faster in the water! They have great buoyancy, allowing them to float and glide through the water at a quicker rate. Sloths use their long arms to glide through water efficiently, and some can even hold their breath for up to 40 minutes! They have an interesting swimming pattern: sloths doggy paddle with their front limbs and their much shorter back legs paddle in a side-to-side motion.
A Balanced Bite
Similar to having a dominant hand, many individuals tend to favor one side of their mouth for chewing food. This preference, however, can lead to uneven wear on teeth over time, sensitivity, and, in some cases, temporomandibular disorders (TMD). It’s essential to be mindful of chewing habits and try to balance the pressure on both sides to prevent excessive wear and potential dental issues. Alternating sides while chewing is recommended to promote an even distribution of forces and maintain the health and longevity of your teeth.
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