Ma's Mac 'n Cheese

Ma's Mac 'n Cheese recipe; it is an Italian recipe but every year in March, Ma changes one ingredient for the dish to become Paddy's Mac 'n Cheese (for St. Patrick's Day).  It gets rave reviews from friends here at home...so let's see what you think.



Ma's Mac 'n Cheese!

This recipe, as made by @kelsoterrier

Ingredients:

2 cups (500ml/16 fl oz) milk

1 cup (250 ml/8 fl oz) heavy cream

1 bay leaf

2 whole cloves

1 cinnamon stick

60g (2 oz) butter

2-3 tablespoons plain flour

2 cups (250g/8 oz) freshly grated Cheddar cheese (sharp, mild - whichever you prefer)

1 cup (100g/3.5 oz) freshly grated Parmesan cheese* (for Paddy's Mac 'n Cheese, substitute Irish Cheddar like Kerrygold's Dubliner)

375g (12 oz) elbow macaroni



This recipe, as made by @theGObros

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to moderate 180C (350F).  Pour the milk and cream into a medium saucepan with the bay leaf, cloves and cinnamon stick.  Bring to boil then remove from heat and let steep for 10 minutes.  Strain out and discard flavorings (cloves, bay leaf & cinnamon stick).

2. Melt butter in another medium saucepan over low heat.  Add the flour and stir for 1-2 minutes, until smooth.  Remove from heat and gradually add the milk/cream mixture, stirring until smooth.  Return to medium heat and stir constantly until the sauce boils and thickens.  Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat and add half the Cheddar cheese, half the Parmesan cheese and salt and pepper to taste.  Set aside.

3. Meanwhile, bring large pot of salted water to boil.  Cook macaroni in boiling water until al dente.  Drain and return to pot.  Add the sauce mixture and mix well.  Spoon into a deep casserole dish.  Sprinkle with remaining cheeses.  Bake, covered, for 20 minutes (or until hot and bubbling).  Uncover, and bake for 5-10 minutes until top is golden.  Serve.

For that little extra something: when sprinkling with remaining cheeses, also sprinkle with 2 rashers bacon that have been chopped and fried until crisp.

Enjoy!

Oz