Cheesy Mac and Cheese

 

Ooey-Gooey Macaroni and Cheese

BY  Chris Scott

Published in Epicurious

October 29, 2022

Note from Cook - This Macaroni and cheese won TIME OUT New York magazine's "Best Mac and Cheese" contest back in 2017. It has an awesome, crusty, golden-brown top and the ooey-gooiest center known to humankind. I like using medium pasta shells, which allow the cheese and bechamel to thoroughly coat the outsides as well as really work their way into the nooks and crannies.

Recipe was excerpted from 'Homage' by Chris Scott

Note from Melissa - I thought it might be too cheesy but it was perfect.  I cooked it in a 10x15 because that gives me lots of golden, chewy crust.

 

Ingredients

Serves 8

½ cup (113 g) butter

½ cup (70 g) all-purpose flour

5 cups (1.2 L) milk

3 Tbsp. garlic powder

4 cups (120 g) coarsely grated Parmesan cheese

1 lb (455 g) macaroni shells, cooked according to package directions

3 cups (240 g) shredded Monterey Jack cheese

3 cups (240 g) shredded Cheddar cheese

Step 1  Preheat the oven to 350°F.

 

Step 2  In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the flour, whisking constantly, until thoroughly combined and lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the milk and garlic powder, bring to a boil, and lower to a simmer. Cook until a creamy béchamel forms, 6 to 8 minutes. Turn off the heat and whisk in the Parmesan cheese, stirring until thoroughly combined.

 

Step 3 Fold the cooked macaroni shells into the béchamel, then pour into an ungreased baking dish.

 

Step 4 In a bowl, combine the Monterey Jack and Cheddar cheese. Sprinkle evenly over the casserole. Bake for 40 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and the top is golden brown.

 

Cook's note: Pouring oil into pasta cooking water is a pet peeve of mine, because nothing will stick to oily pasta, especially not a gooey, slithery cheese sauce. Don't do it here. (Apply oil to other pastas after cooking only, as in the dressing for a cold pasta salad.)

Corn Souffle

Bryan found this recipe from Linda Evans of Dynasty fame.  It is really good.  He makes it for Thanksgiving.

Southwest Corn Souffle

3 cups corn kernels (you can use fresh or thawed frozen)
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 C sour cream
9 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, shredded (can use pepper jack instead of jalapenos)
1/2 C cornmeal
1/3 C jalapenos, finely chopped
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 C Parmesan cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350*. Generously butter a 2 quart baking dish (if using a 9X13 baking dish, increase proportions by 1.5).

In a blender or food processor, puree 1 cup of the corn with the melted butter and the eggs.

In a large bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients (including the other 2 cups of corn) except Parmesan.
Add the pureed corn mixture. Stir until well-incorporated.

Pour into the prepared baking dish.  Sprinkle with the Parmesan and bake for 45 to 90 (depends on batch and pan size) minutes until set and browning.  If the top isn't browned at the end of the baking time, place it under a broiler for a couple of minutes - careful not to let it burn.

Remove from the oven and let it cool for at least 20 minutes, then cut into squares and serve.

Summer Vegetable Crepes

     Summer Vegetable Crepes

      This is another recipe from Eating Well which we enjoyed.  It uses a lot of the good veggies that are around at this time of year.  I couldn't find the ready to use crepes so I used whole wheat tortilla wraps. The sauce is good but I don't think you need as much as they have you use.  It is kind of tangy with the lemon and chives so I thought a little went a long way.

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh chives, divided, plus more for garnish
• 3 tablespoons low-fat milk
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 cups chopped zucchini
• 1 1/4 cups chopped green beans
• 1 cup fresh corn kernels, (from 1 large ear; see Tip)
• 1 cup part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 4 9-inch “ready-to-use” crêpes

Preparation

1. Stir sour cream, 1/4 cup chives, milk, lemon juice and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl until combined. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, green beans and corn and cook, stirring, until beginning to brown, 6 to 8 minutes. Reduce heat to low; stir in ricotta, Monterey Jack, the remaining 1/4 cup chives, the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook, stirring gently, until the cheese is melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from the heat.
3. To roll crêpes, place one on a piece of parchment or wax paper (or leave it on the piece of plastic separating the crêpes in the package). Spoon one-fourth of the vegetable-cheese mixture (about 3/4 cup) down the center of the crêpe. Use the paper (or plastic) to help you gently roll the crêpe around the filling. Place the crêpe seam-side down on a dinner plate. Repeat with the remaining crêpes and filling. Serve each crêpe topped with 2 tablespoons of the reserved sauce and more chives, if desired.

Tips & Notes

• Tips: To remove kernels, stand a cob on its stem end in a bowl and slice them off with a sharp, thin-bladed knife.
• “Ready-to-use” crèpes are fast and convenient. Look for them in the produce section of the market or near refrigerated tortillas.

Nutrition

Serves 4  Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Per serving: 302 calories; 17 g fat ( 8 g sat , 6 g mono ); 46 mg cholesterol; 25 g carbohydrates; 15 g protein; 3 g fiber; 687 mg sodium; 485 mg potassium.