Homemade Mac and Cheese and Falafel Pita

My friend gave me this recipe recently when I was looking for an alternative to boxed Mac 'n Cheese.

HOMEMADE MACARONI AND CHEESE

1/2 box macaroni noodles, cooked

1 package shredded cheese

1 T. butter

1 egg

1 cup milk

1 t. salt

1 t. dry mustard

Mix in bowl. Cook for 45 minutes at 350 degrees.

Here's a healthy and delicious Middle Eastern meal that can cover lunch, dinner or, if you really like it, both!

FALAFEL PITA WITH CUCUMBER-YOGURT DRESSING

1/4 cup minced red onion

1 T. Dijon mustard

1 t. ground cumin

1/2 t. paprika

1/4 t. freshly ground black pepper

1/8 t. salt

1 (15 1/2-oz.) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained

1 (1-oz.) slice whole wheat bread, torn into pieces

1 large egg

1 large egg white

1 1/2 T. olive oil

2 (6-inch) whole wheat pitas, split

1 cup arugula

1/2 Cucumber-Yogurt Dressing*

*Cucumber-Yogurt Dressing:

1 cup plain fat-free yogurt

1/2 cup diced seedless cucumber

1/ cup minced red onion

1 t. fresh lemon juice

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Cover and chill.

For falafel: combine first 10 ingredients in a food processor, pulse 6 times or until well blended (mixture will be wet).

Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Spoon about 1/3 cup chickpea mixture per patty into pan; cook 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Line each pita half with 1/4 cup arugula, add 1 patty to each pita half, and spoon 2 tablespoons Cucumber-Yogurt Dressing into each half pita.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 filled pita half)

Recipe compliments of myrecipes.com.