Saturday, August 15, 2009

Macaroni & Cheese

Who doesn't like Macaroni and cheese?
I've tried many recipes, but I like this one best.
However: I'm always looking for a better one.
If you have one please send it to me.


This one is from "America's Test Kitchen" It Rocks!!!!!!

Ingredients:

For the bread crumb topping
6 slices of white sandwich bread (about 6 ounces) torn into rough pieces
3 tablespoons unsalted butter (cold) cut into 6 pieces

For the pasta and cheese
1 pound elbow macaroni (I usually use Cavatappi)
1 tablespoon table salt
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons mustard powder
1/4 teaspoons ccayenne pepper (optional)
5 cups milk
8 ounces Monterey Jack cheese shredded (2 cups)
8 ounces Cheddar cheese shredded (2 cups)
1 teaspoon table salt

For the bread crumbs:
Pulse bread and butter in food processor until crumbs are no larger
than 1/8 inch, set aside. (about 10-15 1 second pulses). Set aside


For the pasta and cheese:
Adjust oven rack to lower-middle and hear broiler. Bring 4 qts. of water to
boil in Dutch oven over high heat. Add macaroni and 1 tbspn salt: cook until
pasta is tender. Drain past and set aside in colander.


In now empty Dutch oven, heat butter over med-high heat until foaming.
Add flour, mustard and cayenne (if using) and whisk well to combine.
Contnue whisking until mixture becomes fragrandt and deepens in color,
about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in milk: bring mixture to boil, whisking
constantly ( mixture must reach full boil to fully thicken). Reduce heat to
mediym and simmer, whisking occasionally, until thickened to consistency
of heavy cream, about 5 minutes. 

Off heat, whisk in cheeses and 1 tspn salt until cheeses are fully melted.
Add pasta and cook over med-low heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is
steaming and heated through, about 6 minutes.


Transfer mixture to broiler-safe 9 by 13 inch baking dish and sprinkle evenly
with bread crumbs. Broil until crumbs are deep golden brown, 3-5 minutes.
Cool about 5 minutes then serve.

2 comments:

  1. you don't use any breadcrumbs? just wondering because I see a lot of recipes call for them. hugs LV

    ReplyDelete
  2. No, I don't use breadcrumbs.
    Don't like the gritty taste.
    I'm a down and dirty mac guy.

    ReplyDelete