"Laughter is the shortest distance between two people."

“One great thing the Lord requires of each of us is to provide a home where a happy, positive influence for good exists. In future years the costliness of home furnishings or the number of bathrooms will not matter much, but what will matter significantly is whether our children felt love and acceptance in the home. It will greatly matter whether there was happiness and laughter, or bickering and contention.”

Ezra Taft Benson

“Laughter is the shortest distance between two people.”

 

 

If we can’t laugh at life, we are in big trouble.

 

One day when our children were young, I made a casserole. And I really did a good job.

 

When I took it out of the oven, our son Dick said, “How come you baked the garbage?”

 

Marjorie Hinckley

 

Macaroni and Cheese with Chicken

Ingredients

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for baking dish

Fine sea salt

Freshly ground pepper

1/2 pound penne pasta

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 small onion, thinly sliced

1 1/2cups coarsely grated smoked mozzarella

1 1/2cups shredded roast chicken

1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh rosemary

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

2 1/2cups whole milk, heated to a simmer

2 cloves garlic

Directions

1.     Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Butter a 1 1/2-quart gratin or baking dish.

2.     In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta until al dente, about 11 minutes. Drain, run under cold water, and drain again. Transfer to a large bowl.

3.     In a medium skillet over medium heat, heat oil. Add onion and a pinch of salt, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and lightly golden, about 10 minutes

4.     Add onion to pasta and stir to combine. Add mozzarella, chicken, 2/3 cup Parmesan, and rosemary; stir to combine.

5.     In a medium heavy saucepan over medium-low heat, melt butter. Add flour and cook over low heat, whisking, for 3 minutes. Add hot milk, whisking vigorously, then add garlic and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Bring mixture to a simmer, whisking; then reduce heat and gently simmer, whisking occasionally, until béchamel is thickened (the sauce should thickly coat the back of a spoon), about 10 minutes. Discard garlic before adding béchamel to pasta, season with pepper, and stir.

6.     Transfer into baking dish and smooth top. Sprinkle with remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan and more pepper. Bake until bubbling and golden, 12 to 15 minutes. Let sit for 15 minutes before serving.