124. Macaroni, Tomato and Cheese Bake (1973) ft. Elvis’ Rice Pudding

It’s the end of summer, but it’s the return of Dinner is Served 1972!

Yeah, I’ve been neglecting the blog, life just got in the way, know what I mean?

As you may have noticed, there are new ads on the site, but for good reason–I want to make some cash off this puppy!

And if you aren’t seeing them, turn to Brian here:

and please turn off your ad-blocker on my site. Food’s expensive, yinz guys!

OK, enough about that. Let’s get down to business!

124. Macaroni, Tomato and Cheese Bake. I don’t know if a “bake” screams end of summer, but it’s what my dinner companion, Mr. Sauce, Esq. picked, so I had to go with it.

Because I am a very accommodating hostess.

But accommodating or not, I totally messed with #124.

OF COURSE.

OK, not totally true. I made the bake exactly as Dinner is Served told me to–it was just everything else that I changed.

You see, there weren’t any ripe avocados at the grocery store, so I said screw it and just made a Caesar Salad. Also because Mr. Sauce, Esq. reeeeeeallly loves anchovies.

And instead of apple dumplings I made rice pudding. Because I wasn’t going to make homemade dumplings and Mr. Sauce, Esq. had a craving.

I apparently just did everything he wanted. Like I said, I’m a very accommodating hostess.

Here is the finished product!

So, yeah, this was glorified mac and cheese with some slices of of tomatoes in it.

That’s not a bad thing at all. But that’s what it was. Mac & cheese with tomatoes.

No harm. No foul.

Since earlier this month we hit the 40th anniversary of Elvis’ death, I selected a rice pudding recipe from The Presley Family Cookbook (1980) by Vester Presley and Nancy Rooks in his honor:

Now if you read this recipe closely, you can see that it makes four servings.

This little cutie here is a 2 cup ramekin of EXTRA PUDDING.

Yes. I said extra.

Because the majority filled a 1.5 quart double sided Pyrex dish.

That’s 1.5 quarts.

That’s six cups.

That’s four servings.

Imagine that Pyrex dish full of rice pudding.

Plus the 2 cup ramekin.

Yes, 4 servings. Both of those together are 4 servings.

Eight cups equals 4 servings.

FOUR.

SERVINGS.

Holy fuck is that a lot of rice pudding!!!

But this is a safe space. No judgement here, Elvis. No judgement.

You worked that shit off.

It’s sad that everyone thinks of Hawaii Jumpsuit Elvis as Fat Elvis.

You go try that move in a white onesie.

While singing.

Seriously.

I’m waiting.

Here’s the whole thing. Which is my all-time favorite Elvis track.

R.I.P. Mr. Presley, your star shines as bright as ever.

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11 thoughts on “124. Macaroni, Tomato and Cheese Bake (1973) ft. Elvis’ Rice Pudding

  1. I think he was fat for the times. Or maybe it was the side burns, who knows. 2 cups of rice pudding seems about right. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I also don’t know why I’m fat. lol

  2. Just discovered your blog while looking up the vintage Esquire cookbook I have and love your blog! Check out the Unofficial Mad Men Cookbook if you get the chance. Also, I just met James Cawley in Ticonderoga. He’s the best Elvis impersonator in the world and a massive Star Trek fan. He rebuilt the Original Series sets and did a phenomenal job. Anyways, keep up the good work!

  3. I love carbs, but I’d never think of serving rolls and apple dumplings with mac and cheese. I almost expected the card to call for macaroni salad as the salad course. Why not go all in?

  4. You’re the only person I’d unblock an ad for. I’m glad you’re back.
    I could eat several servings of rice pudding-and I own a polyester jumpsuit (actually, I own a few but we won’t go there). Mercifully, I don’t sing.

  5. ELVIS! Everything looks delicious. I will make that rice pudding during football season. I have missed you, Dinner Is Served.

  6. Wait. THAT’S “Fat” Elvis?! Oh, no. THIS IS FAT ELVIS. Oh wait, I can’t post photos…well, we all know what fat Elvis looked like, and that’s not him!

    That macaroni and cheese looks really good–but that rice pudding! I may have to try that recipe!

    Welcome back!

    1. It was more like, everyone thinks of Vegas jumpsuit Elvis as Fat Elvis, but Fat Elvis came later. He was quite svelte.

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