Showing posts with label Maclarens Imperial Sharp Cold Pack Cheddar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maclarens Imperial Sharp Cold Pack Cheddar. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Mac and Cheese

I am obsessed with mac and cheese! I'm always in search of the best recipe and I find myself searching for hours and being drawn in by things like mac and cheese festivals and competitions and know that some day I need to attend to 'sample' and ensure that the best is indeed chosen.

When I found Maclarens Imperial Sharp Cold Pack Cheddar at Costco, I thought I remembered seeing a recipe using this for a mac and cheese recipe! To my disappointment, after I had bought it, I couldn't find a recipe using it for mac and cheese! So I made my own...

My version of an old classic:

Mac and Cheese
3 cups dry elbow mac
1/3 cup margarine (I use the Becel Olive Oil one)
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup white wine
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup milk
1 cup reserved pasta water
Salt and pepper
1/8 tsp cayenne
1/3 tub Maclarens Imperial Sharp Cheddar (you could use about two cups grated sharp cheddar if you don't have the tub stuff - I get this from Costco)
Old light cheese grated

Cook about 3 cups dry elbow mac according to package directions. Strain, saving the cooking liquid.

While that is cooking, melt marg, stir in flour, and let cook for about 2 min, stirring constantly. Whisk in the wine, chicken broth, milk, and reserved pasta water. *If you're going to be freezing some, add about 1/2 cup more liquid* Heat this to a boil, then reduce to a simmer until it thickens (about 5 min or less), stir in 1/3 tub of cheese, add spices.

Take off heat and stir in your cooked mac.
Pour into a 9x13 pan, top with grated cheese and pop into the oven on broil for about 5 or 10 min till the top gets a bit brown and crispy.

Yum! Even better the second day :)