Sinful Mac & Cheese

Описание: Well the weather is turning colder and it is time for a meal that will stick to your ribs. A easy and inexpensive meal that fits the profile is Mac & Cheese.

Ken’s Sinful Mac & Cheese

Pre Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Total Time: 60 mins

Yield: 6 - 8 servings

Ingredients

4 tbsp of Kerrygold butter
4 tbsp of flour
3 cups of stock (veggie, or chicken or pasta water)
1 cups of milk
1 cup of light cream
4 oz mascarpone cheese
4 oz goat cheese
12 oz intense cheddar cheese, artisan
1/4 cup parmigiana - reggiano cheese
1/2 tbsp dry mustard
1/2 tbsp thyme
1/2 tbsp tarragon
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1/2 tsp hot chili powder (optional)
1/4 lb cooked bacon or speck or pancetta
1 lb of pasta (something that will hold the cheesy bechamel sauce)

Bread Crumb Topping
1 cups panko bread crumbs
1 tbsp of EVOO
salt & pepper

Instructions

Prep:
Gather all the ingredients and measure out and put aside
Grate cheddar cheese

Mac & Cheese Sauce

Cook pasta in salt water to al-denta. Once cooked, drain and reserve.
Render fat from speck, bacon or pancetta in a large saucepan. When the speck is crispy, remove from the pan and save. If there is any pork fat, safely discard. Melt butter in the saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook for a minute or two, don’t let roux turn brown. In phases add the warm stock, milk, cream and whisk until sauce begins to thicken, no lumps. Keep this up until the liquid is all gone. Cook at a simmer for about 5 minutes, whisking occasionally.
Reduce heat to lower setting, whisk cheese into sauce until it is smooth, no lumps.
Add parsley, thyme, tarragon and (chili if used) to sauce.
Combine the pasta and sauce, stir until combined.
If meat is used, fold into the pasta and cheese sauce mixer.

Cooking

Combine bread crumbs and drizzle of EVOO, sauté until toasted.
Coat a casserole dish with butter or EVOO.
Add Mac & Cheese to the casserole dish. Top with bread crumbs.
Transfer to a preheated oven, bake at 350f for 30 minutes or until thoroughly warm and bread crumbs are golden brown.