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Mac N Cheese


I know there are a lot of Mac N Cheese recipes out there. I was watching this recipe on TV and knew I had to make this one immediately. It was so simple and yet it looked so delicious. It is not often that I see a recipe and make it immediately. I mean the show went off and I literally got up and went into the kitchen to make it.

Mac N Cheese Stovetop (Adatped from ATK)

1 1/2 c water
1 c milk
8oz macaroni
4 oz fontina
4 oz  extra sharp cheddar (I used a truffle gouda*)
1/2 t Dijon mustard
1/3 c panko
1T olive oil
2T Parmesan
Salt/pepper

Heat water and milk in a saucepan until boiling. Add macaroni and lower to medium-low, stirring frequently. Cook for about 8 minutes (a little softer than al dente). Add fontina and dijon. And heat until melted. Remove from heat and add cheddar (or truffle gouda). Cover and let sit for 5 minutes. Meanwhile in a small frying pan add panko and olive oil. Toast panko until browned, watching carefully. Remove from heat and add Parmesan cheese. Stir macaroni. Serve and top with toasted panko.

Now this recipe says it serves 4 people. I don't know how 8 oz of mac n cheese could ever serve 4 people. Maybe if this were a side dish? The original recipe also used American Cheese. Call me a cheese snob but I knew I was not going to use that - no way! I think Gruyere would be a nice substitute for cheddar.  Don't wimp out and use anything other than extra sharp for the cheddar. You need that flavor punch.




*This is my favorite cheese now. My previous favorite was Cotswold. But this is something altogether different. Gouda is OK. I don't ususally go crazy saying 'OH great there's Gouda'. I was browsing around Whole Foods and they had samples out. I don't usually do samples (people are gross and do disgusting things when there are samples) but I was hungry so I went for it? After tasting it, I immediately grabbed a hunk of this cheese and put it in my cart. The truffle just hits you right in the face. It is just so earthy and good. Definitely look to find this cheese! I don't know who makes it but they are genius!

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