Mac n Cheese American

Move over apple pie. I do believe that macaroni and cheese are slowly taking over as the quintessential, all-American standard. Well, perhaps I speak too soon. Nevertheless, it’s right up there with baseball and apple pie. And like all things American, mac n cheese is so versatile. I mean, think about it. Hundreds of cheeses in the culinary glossary from which to choose. Lots of pasta shapes, too. That spells creativity to me.

I’ll admit that I didn’t exactly grow up with macaroni and cheese. Being Italian, macaroni was a staple in my home. However, it was usually adorned with some type of red sauce, meatballs, or at least a vegetable sautéed in garlic and oil. I remember the time I asked my grandmother for mac n cheese. I had seen it on a television commercial. She proceeded to serve me macaroni laden with ricotta and Parmigiano cheeses. Delicious. But definitely not was I was looking for. It wasn’t yellow! My Mom eventually got the picture, and from then on the macaroni and cheese I was served came straight out of a box. Those convenient varieties still exist. But it’s the homemade and restaurant made creations that we’re all really after, isn’t it? And talk about your comfort food. Hot and steamy pasta loaded with all types of gooey cheese in a creamy sauce. How bad could that be on a cold winter’s day?

I’ve conducted lots of experimentation where mac n cheese is concerned. When I first began, I used only the processed cheese that so many of my friends who grew up with Southern Soul Food swore by. I usually served it right out of the saucepan. As my horizons expanded, so did my recipe collection. And recipes do abound. Of course, they almost always start with a béchamel cream sauce. Easy enough to prepare. What I like about Phyllis’ recipe (below) is that her béchamel incorporates shallots and garlic directly into the roux. Ingenious, as far as I’m concerned. If your base sauce boasts lots of flavors, you can only move up on the taste scale as you begin to fold in your cheeses. I use the plural here because that’s really the only way to go. A combination of cheeses can only intensify and build a complexity that your mac n cheese is craving. What cheeses? The choice is wide open to you. Use your favorites. If you like the way they taste with crackers and wine, you’ll love them in your dish. Try to balance the sharp taste with a mellow flavor, however. Too much either way and you might be disappointed.

Now, I mentioned that I used to spoon my mac n cheese straight from the saucepan. Kind of shortsighted at the time. A really magnificent macaroni and cheese should be baked. It gives the cheese, cream sauce, and pasta some time to meld and get acquainted. And the crust that baking produces on top is a must. Whether you’re using breadcrumb or crumbled crackers, the contrast between the crunch and cream is heavenly. One note. Be sure to prepare your macaroni al dente. That’s to say, ever so slightly underdone. It will continue to cook in the oven.

Additions to your mac n cheese recipes can include smoky bacon or ham, or a spicy chorizo. I sometimes add steamed broccoli or spinach. Any complementary ingredient will contribute to a whole new dimension. And it will all be scrumptious. It’s like I said. We Americans are extremely resourceful. Mac n cheese is no different. No matter what flavorings you add, it will always be a quintessentially American dish.

Victor Ribaudo

Mac ‘n Cheese Revisited

Macaroni and cheese you say? How tres ordinaire. Au contraire. I don’t know about you, but the cold wintry winds are here and I say comfort food is my plat du jour. Comfort food at its best, that is. The most heavenly macaroni and cheese I have had is the Croton-on-Hudson, NY Umami Cafe’s award-winning white truffle oil-laced dish and, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, the restaurant Zee’s creamy version.

My version features the best of both and adds what I think is the crowning feature, an abundant crusty topping of buttery fresh breadcrumbs. Then, there’s the combination of four kinds of cheese to add complexity. Also, sautéed shallots, garlic and a soupçon of Dijon mustard and smoked sweet paprika provide a distinctive zest. Enjoy!

Ingredients (Serves 4)

2 cups coarse crumbs from good quality bread, crusts removed

5 T butter, divided

2 medium shallots, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic finely minced

3 T all-purpose flour

1/8 t smoked sweet paprika

2 t Dijon mustard

1-quart whole milk

½ t freshly ground black pepper

1 lb. elbow macaroni or corkscrew pasta

4 cups cheese, grated, divided (combination of sharp cheddar, gruyere, and Colby) Use the grating disk of food processor or large holes of box grater.

½ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

(white truffle oil optional)

Directions

1. Lightly sauté the breadcrumbs in 2 T butter and set aside.

2. Sauté shallots and garlic in 3 T butter in a 4-quart saucepan just until translucent. Add flour and stir over medium heat for two minutes. Stir in smoked sweet paprika and mustard.

3. Slowly add and stir in milk. Add pepper.

4 Set aside ½ cup of cheese mixture for topping

5. Cook macaroni 2 minutes fewer than package directions instruct. While macaroni is cooking, add 3 ½ cups of cheese mixture to milk mixture a little at a time, stirring constantly. Set aside ½ cup for topping. Taste for salt. You may not need any as the cheese is salty.

6. Stir well-drained macaroni into cheese mixture and pour into an oven-proof casserole dish. Sprinkle reserved cheese, including Parmigiano-Reggiano, over macaroni and then sprinkle with the breadcrumbs. Bake covered in a 350-degree oven for 20 minutes. Remove cover and bake for another 10 minutes until there is a light crust on top. Guests can sprinkle a few drops of white truffle oil on top if they like.

Photographer Bill Brady
Written by Victor Ribaudo
Recipe Created by Phyllis Kirigin, aka sweetpaprika
Food Stylist BrianPreston Campbell
Blog syndicated at the datingsymbol.com
Food Stylist Laurie Knoop laurieknoop.com