Bella's Peppermint Chocolate Chip Meringues

(makes 32 meringues)

16 red and white peppermint candy rounds
4 large egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
pinch of salt
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup baby chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 225. Line two baking sheets with parchment or aluminum foil, shiny side down. Place candies in a heavy duty zip-top bag, squeeze air out, seal, and using a heavy bottom, small sauce pan, crush well.

In a large bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar and salt with a mixer until soft peaks form, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to low and putin one tablespoon of sugar at a time, beating for several seconds between each addition. Increase speed to high and beat until stiff, glossy peaks form. Blend in crushed candies and chocolate chips.

Drop 16 well rounded tablespoons of meringue onto each baking sheet, spacing them 1 inch apart. Bake one hour on oven's top rack. Move cookie sheets to bottom rack and bake 1 more hour. Turn off oven, let meringues sit until oven is completely cool. Remove from baking sheets and store in airtight container.

Per serving (serving is 3 meringues)
163 calories
3g fat (2g saturated)
32g carbs
2g protein

Bella's Baked Mac and Cheese

1/2 pound elbow macaroni
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1 tablespoon powdered mustard
3 cups milk
1/2 cup yellow onion, finely diced
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 large egg
12 ounces sharp cheddar, shredded
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Fresh black pepper
Topping:
3 tablespoons butter
1 cup panko bread crumbs

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente. While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes. Make sure it's free of lumps. Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf. Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese. Melt the butter in a saute pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving. Remember to save leftovers for fried Macaroni and Cheese.

Source: Alton Brown/Food Network