Caitlin's Ultimate Macaroni Cheese
This is a real good one! True Comfort Food, and perfect for a chilly winters evening. The addition of the blue cheese, in this case we used Stilton, but you could use any decent blue cheese, takes the dish to another level!. Once you've tried this recipe you will be a lifelong convert..
Recipe
-
1200 ml Semi-Skimmed Milk
-
2 Medium Onions peeled & chopped
-
15 Peppercorns
-
2 Bay Leaves
-
100g Butter
-
80g Plain Flour
-
150ml Double Cream
-
200g Mature Cheddar Cheddar
-
200g Blue Stilton Cheese
-
200g Emmental Cheese
-
200g Gruyere Cheese grated
-
100g Smoked Ham chopped
-
100g Pancetta chopped
-
700g dried Macaroni
-
2 tsp Italian Herbs
-
Salt & pepper to taste.
Put the milk, chopped onions, peppercorns and bay leaves in a saucepan and bring to boil. Leave to stand for 15 mins.
Melt the butter and flour in another pan and mix untill smooth, Cook far about a minute.
Strain the solids from the milk and mix a small amount into the butter / flour mixture.
Return to the heat and gradually add the remaining milk, stirring constantly untill sauce is thick and smooth.
Add salt pepper and herbs to taste
Add cheeses and stir till melted
Add ham or pancetta and combine
Boil the Macaroni in water for 8-10 mins until al dente, then drain and combine with cheese mixture.
Spoon into an ovenproof dish and top with grated Gruyere and cook under the grill untill bubbling and brown.
Decorate with a little sliced tomato and basil leaves and serve with a green salad. Above quantities makes 8 generous portions
Caitlin recommends enjoying with a good Chardonnay or a Pinot Grigio.....but only if its not a 'work night'.
