Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Eli on September 11, 2009 at 11:55pm

I like a very simple smoky cheddar mac with ham...

make a basic bechamel (I use half-and-half instead of milk), melt in a heap of smoked cheese of yourself, toss cooked macaroni and small ham cubes with the sauce in a baking dish, top with (trust me on this) finely crushed Doritos. Bake at 350 for 30-60 minutes (depending on the size of your dish).

Permalink Reply by Chrys Stevenson on September 12, 2009 at 12:07am

Try Creamy Macaroni Casserole.

This made a wonderfully creamy, light, but tasty macaroni cheese. It was easier to make, and had a better, lighter, texture than my usual method of combining cooked macaroni with a cheese sauce made with a butter and flour 'roux'.

I made the dish pretty well exactly as written. I also stirred in a can of corn. I made the macaroni and sauce well in advance up to the stage of placing the macaroni and sauce into the baking pan (I used a large, rectangular, pyrex baking dish). The sauce was quite liquid at this stage, and, as I wanted to top it with breadcrumbs and cheese, I was worried the breadcrumbs might go soggy. So, before proceeding to the topping stage, I put it into the fridge for a couple of hours and let the sauce thicken up. Then it was was easy to top it with grated cheese mixed with some breadcrumbs.

It took slightly less than the 3 cups of cheese recommended in the recipe. As a matter of personal taste, I prefer to use prepared mustard (Dijon or French) rather than mustard powder, reduce the salt to 1 teaspoon, and use a mixture of cheddar cheese and parmesan cheese. But, even without these small modifications, it's fabulous.

I should note that it also reheated well, covered, in the microwave, for lunch the next day. It also freezes well, cut into portions, and packed into ziplock bags. It reheats, covered in the microwave beautifully. I cooked it on DEFROST first and then heated it for about 3 minutes on HIGH.

Permalink Reply by Secular Forces 2013 on September 12, 2009 at 12:12am

use milk, soy maybe?
too much water not good

wait, wtf am I doing here?
some folks have no food!!??

Permalink Reply by Chrys Stevenson on September 12, 2009 at 12:21am

I don't think that means we shouldn't enjoy ours, James - but it sure does mean we should be grateful for it, and savour it, and contribute what we can, within our means, to alleviate world hunger.

Permalink Reply by Secular Forces 2013 on September 12, 2009 at 12:39am

10-4

I swear I'll find my zero soon and not post such ramblings

; )

Permalink Reply by Renee on September 24, 2009 at 9:18pm

Whatever recipe you use, make sure it includes Gruyere. You won't be disappointed.