Economy Gastronomy Macaroni Cheese
- Number of Servings: 6
Ingredients
For the macaroni cheese20g butter300g/10½oz cooked artichoke hearts (available in jars from delicatessens), cut in half, drained, patted dry with kitchen paper100g/3½oz bacon lardons (optional)1 garlic clove, peeled, crushed slightly with the edge of a knife50g/2oz sauce flour (specially fine milled flour to allow the making of white sauce without using butter)800ml/1 pint 7 fl oz milk1 tbsp wholegrain mustard2 pinches ground nutmeg160g/5½oz strong hard cheese, gratedsalt and freshly ground black pepper350g/12½oz macaroni, cooked according to packet instructions until just al dente (add a dash of oil to the cooking water to prevent the macaroni from sticking together), drainedFor the topping4-6 ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced with a serrated knife40g/1½oz parmesan, finely grated3-4 pinches dried mixed herbs (such as oregano, thyme or rosemary)salt and freshly ground black pepperdrizzle extra virgin olive oil
SERVES 4
1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
2. For the macaroni cheese, heat 20g/¾oz of butter in a medium saucepan over a medium heat. When the butter is foaming, add the artichoke halves and lardons, if using, and fry, stirring regularly, for 10-12 minutes, or until the artichokes and bacon are both golden-brown and the bacon is crisp. Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon and set aside to drain on kitchen paper.
3. In a large saucepan, fry the garlic in a little spray oil until softened.
4. Add the milk and the sauce flour and whisk. Continue whisking as the milk heats up and until the sauce thickens.
5. Reduce the heat slightly and stir in the mustard and nutmeg. Remove the garlic clove from the mixture and discard.
6. Add the grated strong cheese and stir well until completely melted. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
7. Add the cooked macaroni, artichoke halves and bacon lardons, if using, to the cheese sauce and stir well to combine. Remove the pan from the heat. Transfer the macaroni cheese to an ovenproof dish.
8. For the topping, arrange the sliced tomatoes on top of the macaroni cheese. Sprinkle over the grated parmesan and dried herbs. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper and drizzle over a dash of extra virgin olive oil.
9. Line a baking tray with aluminium foil and place the ovenproof dish on top to catch any drips. Bake the macaroni cheese in the middle of the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden-brown and the macaroni cheese is bubbling.
Serves 4
Number of Servings: 6
Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user WAHZOE.
1. Preheat the oven to 200C/400F/Gas 6.
2. For the macaroni cheese, heat 20g/¾oz of butter in a medium saucepan over a medium heat. When the butter is foaming, add the artichoke halves and lardons, if using, and fry, stirring regularly, for 10-12 minutes, or until the artichokes and bacon are both golden-brown and the bacon is crisp. Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon and set aside to drain on kitchen paper.
3. In a large saucepan, fry the garlic in a little spray oil until softened.
4. Add the milk and the sauce flour and whisk. Continue whisking as the milk heats up and until the sauce thickens.
5. Reduce the heat slightly and stir in the mustard and nutmeg. Remove the garlic clove from the mixture and discard.
6. Add the grated strong cheese and stir well until completely melted. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
7. Add the cooked macaroni, artichoke halves and bacon lardons, if using, to the cheese sauce and stir well to combine. Remove the pan from the heat. Transfer the macaroni cheese to an ovenproof dish.
8. For the topping, arrange the sliced tomatoes on top of the macaroni cheese. Sprinkle over the grated parmesan and dried herbs. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper and drizzle over a dash of extra virgin olive oil.
9. Line a baking tray with aluminium foil and place the ovenproof dish on top to catch any drips. Bake the macaroni cheese in the middle of the oven for 30-40 minutes, or until the topping is golden-brown and the macaroni cheese is bubbling.
Serves 4
Number of Servings: 6
Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user WAHZOE.
Nutritional Info Amount Per Serving
- Calories: 551.8
- Total Fat: 20.9 g
- Cholesterol: 51.4 mg
- Sodium: 451.3 mg
- Total Carbs: 64.9 g
- Dietary Fiber: 4.1 g
- Protein: 26.3 g
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