Wednesday, January 28, 2009

homemade mac-n-cheese

I was blog-stalking this morning and came across a blog called The Black Apple and a post wherein she mentions that she love, love, loves mac-n-cheese but with one staple ingredient: nutmeg! I thought that was the most interesting {aka: weird} combo, but it also called to me. So when searching my cupboards and freezer for anything edible to eat for lunch, I thought I would try making my own mac-n-cheese. I'd never made a cheese sauce from scratch, but I figured it couldn't be that hard. Luckily, my "wingin' it" worked out to my advantage... because it was really good! Give this recipe a try. You'll be glad you did.



RECIPE: Homemade Mac-N-Cheese

Yield: 10 servings
Calories: 395 per

Ingredients:
16 oz. tube-ish pasta {I used 1 box ziti.}
1/4 c. butter
1/4 c. flour
2 c. milk
8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
salt/pepper, to taste
nutmeg {about 4 shakes it to taste}
10 oz. ham (apx 4 thick slices, cubed)

Directions:
Cook pasta according to package directions.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan over high heat, melt butter. Once butter is melted and starting to boil, add flour, a little at a time. Whisk quickly to combine. Let the roux boil for about a minute, to cook out the "floury" taste. Add milk. Whisk to combine. Then add cheese and nutmeg, and again whisk to combine. Reduce heat and continue whisking until the sauce reaches desired consistency.

Drain pasta. Add sauce (a little at a time; you may not want all of it). Then add ham. Toss gently, and serve warm. Top with salt, pepper and/or nutmeg to taste.

6 comments:

  1. PS. Derek's review: "I don't normally like any kind of homemade mac-n-cheese, but I think this is really good!"


    There. Now you HAVE to try it. lol.

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  2. That's really funny that you posted a mac-n-cheese recipe with nutmeg because Bart and I ate that very thing last night at a friend's house. I will vouch for it and say it's DELICIOUS! We'll have to try it next time with the ham you suggest!

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  3. I have to say I am a skeptic. Nutmeg? Hmmmm. But you know I trust your option. I would even dare say I VALUE your opinion. Ok, let's admit it: I SEEK and DESIRE your opinion. So if you say it is good I believe it. So I will have to give this a try.

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  4. So cool! I love this new blog. You're a very entertaining food writer. I have to agree with your mom's method of cooking, though--when it comes to things you actually cook, you just toss stuff together and add as necessary. Bakins is a whole different story. I wish I had the time to develop more of my own recipes, but I try a few new things each month and I like it. This is going to be a fun blog!

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  5. Ok, so this new blog will be the death of me and my diet. So far our relationship has been quite cordial, but I'm beginning to rethink the whole thing. BUT for the record, I think you're ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! and I wish I were more like YOU!

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  6. PS. the relationship i was rethinking was that of me and my diet. (for clarification!)

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