Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Mac cheese to the Max


Most people love macaroni cheese. I certainly do, though I think it's more to do with the childhood memory of sitting down in pajamas and fluffy dressing gown in front of the TV, with a boiling hot bowl of 'mac and cheese' and a spoon.  Then burning your tongue and going 'Argh, Ah burrt ma tug!'.

I've never made mac and cheese before this, probably because it takes a surprising amount of effort for such a simple dish. But then I discovered the happiness of Sunday night in front of the telly, and when it comes down to it, boiling up the pasta and a bit of stirring of milk and flour isn't really that difficult. As long as I can keep an eye out on the TV while making it, so as not to miss out on Downton Abbey or any other juicy Sunday night bonnet drama.


Macaroni Cheese
serves 2

Ingredients
125g macaroni
20g butter
1 tblsp plain flour
1 3/4 cups milk
1 tsp crushed garlic
1/2 tsp Dijon mustard
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1/3 cup grated parmesan
1/4 cup dried breadcrumbs

Method
1. Preheat oven to 200C. Cook macaroni in a saucepan of boiling, salted water until al dente, then drain.
2. Meanwhile, melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes or until the mixture comes away from the side of the pan. Gradually add milk, whisking constantly, until smooth. Add garlic and simmer for 4-5 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
3. Add the mustard, cheddar cheese and half the parmesan. Stir until the cheese melts and the mixture is smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add macaroni and stir to combine.
4. Spoon macaroni cheese into two 2 1/2 capacity ovenproof dishes and top with remaining parmesan and breadcrumbs. Bake for 15 minutes, until bubbling.  Serve carefully - it's hot!

recipe adapted from BBC Australian Good Food

Some ingredients: Penne (or macaroni), grated cheddar cheese, Dijon mustard, milk, butter, garlic.

It's a two-stage process: cook the pasta, and make the white cheese sauce, then mix together.

Sprinkle with parmesan and breadcrumbs before baking.

 
Tongue-burningly hot - macaroni cheese is a really warming little meal.
Love the crunchy bits of cheese on top.

16 comments:

  1. I have really good memories of mac and cheese also...it was the only edible thing my mother used to cook! I love how cheesy your version is...perfect for cuddling up next to.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ahhh love mac & cheese! Also perfect for curling up with some sexy vampires in True Blood :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'd never had mac and cheese until last year....no childhood memories for me! :D Yours looks so yummy I want to make some too!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Heheh, half the fun with these foods is wanting to eat it but not being patient enough to wait for it to cool!

    ReplyDelete
  5. As I watch my left over risotto twirl in the microwave at work I'm now quietly wishing it was mac & cheese

    ReplyDelete
  6. nice presentation. i loved ur bowls and the recipe is everyone's favorite.. mac and cheese..wht's not to like

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mmmm mac and cheese is def one of my favs and this recipe looks like a winner! More cheese moorrreeeee!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Experimenting with Mac N Cheese used to be one of my fav after-class activities in college. I love your addition of Dijon for a spicy twist.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh I love your recipe! I've never made it from scratch but I am now very tempted, specially love the addition of garlic and mustard, will definitely save this recipe, thank you! :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. ive not made mac n cheese before but it does bring back a lot of memories of childhood for me as well in front of the telly! comfort food to the max :D

    ReplyDelete
  11. oh wow - i've been searching high and low for a tasty and easy mac n cheese recipe and this might just do the trick - thanks for sharing bel xx

    ReplyDelete
  12. I love mac and cheese too! simple but so comforting.

    ReplyDelete
  13. This recipe can be easily stuffed up which is why I suspect there are ready made mac & cheese packs in supermarkets. But yours look absolutely heart warming and what a great idea to cook with small bowls - lots more crispy cheese to go around :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Yes, I love it hot, comforting and cheesy! This is right for me.

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin