Macaroni And Cheese

Boston is a city full of wonderful restaurants and gourmet shops. But with a little exploration, it also yields great food in surprising places. Like a gas station convenience store on Beacon Hill. Banish all preconceived notions of gas station food, for Villa Mexico Cafe is a million miles from taco hell. Here, Julie King serves excellent burritos, tacos, tamales, quesadillas, and more. She used to operate a restaurant by the same name in Woburn, and her standards haven’t changed.

Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocincocq took care of dinner for more than 200 of his Twitter followers at Harlem soul food hotspot Sylvia's Restaurantcq the other night. "Leave ya money/credit cards at home. I got you this time," No. 85 tweeted to his more than 3 million (and counting) followers. Ochocinco was joined by his mom and future in-laws. Fiancee Evelyn Lozada cq (who was previously engaged to former Celtics forward Antoine Walkercq ) couldn't make it to the dinner but her sister and some members of their family were there.

Serves 4 CAULIFLOWER 1/2 head cauliflower, cut into florets 2 teaspoons water, if needed 1. In a steamer, steam the florets over several inches of water in a covered pan for 8 to 10 minutes. 2. In a food processor, puree the florets for 2 minutes, adding water, if needed, to make a smooth texture. Set aside 1/2 cup; use the remaining puree in another recipe. MACARONI AND CHEESE Salt and pepper, to taste 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni Nonstick cooking spray (for coating)

The Chelmsford Library will kick off its annual One Book Chelmsford townwide reading campaign during Chelmsford Winterfest with a community social from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Feb. 3 at the town's main library, 25 Boston Road. The event is expected to feature the hot blues music of Kid Pinky and his Restless Knights. Local restaurants and bakeries will provide comfort foods, such as macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, fried chicken, chili and cornbread, and a variety of soups. Revelers may also enjoy hot chocolate, mulled cider, and dessert.

Foodies will have a lot of fun with the new Cooking Edition of Scrabble ($30). The format is classic Scrabble using letter tiles in a crossword puzzle fashion, but here you earn bonus points for making words relating to cooking, food, and names of celebrity chefs. For instance, you’ll boost your score by 15 points for six-letter words like braise or Batali. Clever recipe cards are really directives (although one card has a recipe for macaroni and cheese and another a conversion chart)

The North Reading Food Pantry is seeking donations, including dry milk, canned corn, dry soup and ramen noodles, canned meat, cake mixes, frosting, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, mayonnaise, hot chocolate, paper towels, laundry detergent, and shampoo. The pantry, which is operated by the Christian Community Service of North Reading, is also home to a Clothes Closet, which provides clothing to those in need; an appointment is needed to shop. To make a donation to the food pantry, visit www.northreadingfoodpantry.org, or mail a check made payable to...

Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson has been set straight on Thanksgiving comfort food. "The 700 Club" founder showed a clip of Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday. Robertson's host, Kristi Watts, asked what dish the former secretary of state had to have on Thanksgiving. Rice replied macaroni and cheese. Watts reacted enthusiastically, adding "Sister, that is my dish…" Appearing perplexed, Robertson asked Watts, who is black, of the women's shared enthusiasm for mac 'n' cheese, "Is that a black thing?"

The Chelmsford Library will kick off its annual One Book Chelmsford townwide reading campaign during Chelmsford Winterfest with a community social from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Feb. 3 at the town's main library, 25 Boston Road. The event is expected to feature the hot blues music of Kid Pinky and his Restless Knights. Local restaurants and bakeries will provide comfort foods, such as macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, fried chicken, chili and cornbread, and a variety of soups. Revelers may also enjoy hot chocolate, mulled cider, and dessert.

Patriots wide receiver Chad Ochocincocq took care of dinner for more than 200 of his Twitter followers at Harlem soul food hotspot Sylvia's Restaurantcq the other night. "Leave ya money/credit cards at home. I got you this time," No. 85 tweeted to his more than 3 million (and counting) followers. Ochocinco was joined by his mom and future in-laws. Fiancee Evelyn Lozada cq (who was previously engaged to former Celtics forward Antoine Walkercq ) couldn't make it to the dinner but her sister and some members of their family were there.

SWEET CHEEKS 1381 Boylston St., Boston 617-266-1300 www.sweetcheeksq.com Chef Tiffani Faison, of "Top Chef" and Rocca fame, brings barbecue and Southern hospitality to the Fenway neighborhood. Sweet Cheeks opened two weeks ago in the space formerly occupied by Cambridge 1. Loud and open, with music blasting, the restaurant is outfitted with communal high-top tables made from recycled church doors and bowling lanes. Drinks are served in Mason jars, food on brown paper in metal trays.

Too often, we are forced to choose: Watch the game on big, awesome, shiny televisions, or eat and drink delicious things. Why can't the two occur in the same place more often? Sports fans deserve better than skimpily topped nachos and greasy steak tips. Parlor Sports may bridge the divide. From the people who operate hipster magnet Trina's Starlite Lounge next door, the Inman Square sports bar offers a menu created by the same chef. Bartenders serve cocktails and craft beer, with an emphasis on boilermakers (Fernet-Branca with Saison Dupont, for example)

SWEET CHEEKS 1381 Boylston St., Boston 617-266-1300 www.sweetcheeksq.com Chef Tiffani Faison, of "Top Chef" and Rocca fame, brings barbecue and Southern hospitality to the Fenway neighborhood. Sweet Cheeks opened two weeks ago in the space formerly occupied by Cambridge 1. Loud and open, with music blasting, the restaurant is outfitted with communal high-top tables made from recycled church doors and bowling lanes. Drinks are served in Mason jars, food on brown paper in metal trays.

SWEET CHEEKS 1381 Boylston St., Boston 617-266-1300 www.sweetcheeksq.com Chef Tiffani Faison, of "Top Chef" and Rocca fame, brings barbecue and Southern hospitality to the Fenway neighborhood. Sweet Cheeks opened two weeks ago in the space formerly occupied by Cambridge 1. Loud and open, with music blasting, the restaurant is outfitted with communal high-top tables made from recycled church doors and bowling lanes. Drinks are served in Mason jars, food on brown paper in metal trays.

The North Reading Food Pantry is seeking donations, including dry milk, canned corn, dry soup and ramen noodles, canned meat, cake mixes, frosting, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, mayonnaise, hot chocolate, paper towels, laundry detergent, and shampoo. The pantry, which is operated by the Christian Community Service of North Reading, is also home to a Clothes Closet, which provides clothing to those in need; an appointment is needed to shop. To make a donation to the food pantry, visit www.northreadingfoodpantry.org, or mail a check made payable to Christian Community Service, PO...

Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson has been set straight on Thanksgiving comfort food. "The 700 Club" founder showed a clip of Condoleezza Rice on Wednesday. Robertson's host, Kristi Watts, asked what dish the former secretary of state had to have on Thanksgiving. Rice replied macaroni and cheese. Watts reacted enthusiastically, adding "Sister, that is my dish…" Appearing perplexed, Robertson asked Watts, who is black, of the women's shared enthusiasm for mac 'n' cheese, "Is that a black thing?"

Foodies will have a lot of fun with the new Cooking Edition of Scrabble ($30). The format is classic Scrabble using letter tiles in a crossword puzzle fashion, but here you earn bonus points for making words relating to cooking, food, and names of celebrity chefs. For instance, you’ll boost your score by 15 points for six-letter words like braise or Batali. Clever recipe cards are really directives (although one card has a recipe for macaroni and cheese and another a conversion chart)

Too often, we are forced to choose: Watch the game on big, awesome, shiny televisions, or eat and drink delicious things. Why can't the two occur in the same place more often? Sports fans deserve better than skimpily topped nachos and greasy steak tips. Parlor Sports may bridge the divide. From the people who operate hipster magnet Trina's Starlite Lounge next door, the Inman Square sports bar offers a menu created by the same chef. Bartenders serve cocktails and craft beer, with an emphasis on boilermakers (Fernet-Branca with Saison Dupont, for example)