[gemy]

Not sure if there is a thread on here about a perennial favourite, but as I just popped in the oven our Mac and Cheese dinner for tonight, I thought I'd share.

I start with a basic white sauce ( you can look that up in one of your cookbooks but here is how I do it).

1/4 c or so of unsalted butter

But in 1.5 qt sauce pan on 4/5 mediumish heat. Have garlic clove pressed and add into melted butter. Sautee until garlic goes a light brown.

Add: 2-3 tblsp of butter and turn down heat to about a 3 or so. Let flour cook in butter for about 3minutes to 5 minutes.

Now slowly add some milk and stir firmly to make sure all the thickness and lumps are stirred out. I pour 2c of milk and have ready by stove. Add up to about 1/2 c of the milk - then start to add your cheeses!

Cheeses: I always use at least 3 And you need about 2cups of cheese

Today was: 1/4c of Cambonzola cheese 1/2 c of old cheddar cheese (yellow) 1/2 c of sharp white specialty cheddar - St Ives of Old Mill - a local cheesemonger here.

Add about 1/4 c of slowest melting cheese and stir stir until melted. As sauce thickens add some more milk and blend in. Continue alternating above cheeses and milk and all are in pot.

Add 1tsp or so of Worchester Sauce to pot of cheese.

Now add more milk if the consistency is too thick. I like a fairly runny consistency to the sauce, because I bake Mac and cheese in oven.

While sauce is cooking - boil up water in 6qt sauce pan. When boiling add 3 cups of macaroni - any pasta type you like, and cook to al dente.

Drain pasta.

Now pour pasta into casserole dish. Add melted cheese and mix thorughly in.

Topping: Fresh crumbled bacon bits + fresh bread crumbs and topped with greated Parmesan cheese 1/4c

Ust at least 4-5 strips of crisply cooked bacon and crumble.
Use at least 1 c fresh bread crumbs

Sprinkle all over top of mac and cheese - finish with the Parmesan. Season with some freshly ground pepper.

Bake at 350 for 45-50 minutes let set for 5-10 minutes prior serving.
Bake covered for 35-40 minutes then uncover so the topping bubbles and goes a loverly brown.

ENJOY.


Ps: I serve with a fresh salad , beets, and dill pickles. A crisp white wine is yummy with this meal.