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Macaroni and Cheese

Posted by Caroline Russock, October 28, 2009 at 5:00 PM

The following recipe is from the October 28 edition of our weekly recipe newsletter. To receive this newsletter in your inbox, sign up here!

According to Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, macaroni and cheese was the only thing that she ate for the first ten years of her life. I have to say that if I was going to pick one food to eat for ten years straight, macaroni and cheese would be a pretty solid contender, especially this version from The Pioneer Woman Cooks.

I whipped up a batch for dinner last night, and it had all of the marks of perfect mac and cheese. The interior was plenty cheesy, creamy, and custardy thanks to the addition of a roux and an egg. The top was golden with just the slightest bit of crunch from the browned noodles. While finishing the sauce I realized that I didn't have any of the mustard powder called for in the recipe, so I summoned a bit of my own pioneering spirit and substituted a few teaspoons of Dijon. The kicky mustard cut right through the cheesy sauce in the most pleasant way and will be a definite addition next time I make this recipe, along with the roasted green chilis and crumbled bacon that Drummond recommends.

Macaroni and Cheese

- makes 8 servings -

Adapted from The Pioneer Woman Cooks by Ree Drummond.

Ingredients

4 cups dry macaroni
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup (1/2 stick, or 4 tablespoons) butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 1/2 cups whole milk
2 heaping teaspoons dry mustard (or more to taste)
1 pound cheddar or other desired cheese, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt (or more to taste)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Procedure

1. Cook the macaroni until very firm. The macaroni should be too firm to eat right out of the pot. (If you are in a hurry and don't want to bake the macaroni and cheese, cook it now until it is done.) Drain.

2. In a small bowl, beat the egg.

3. Preheat the oven to 350°F and butter a large oval or rectangular baking dish.

4. In a large pot, melt the butter and sprinkle in the flour.

5. Whisk it together over medium-low heat. Cook for 5 minutes, whisking constantly. Don't let it burn.

6. Pour in the milk.

7. Add the mustard and whisk until smooth. Cook for 5 minutes or until very thick, whisking constantly. Reduce the heat to low.

8. To temper the eggs, slowly pour in 1/4 cup of the sauce into the beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking the egg. Whisk until smooth.

9. Pour the egg mixture into the sauce, whisking until smooth.

10. Add in all but 1/2 cup of the cheese and stir until melted.

11. Add the seasonings. Taste the sauce and add more salt and seasoned salt as needed. Do not undersalt or you'll regret it for the rest of your life!

12. Pour in the cooked, drained macaroni and stir to combine.

13. Serve immediately or pour into the baking dish and top with the remaining cheese.

14. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until bubbly and golden on top.

15. Serve to hungry humans.

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Tags: cheese, Cook the Book, macaroni and cheese, recipe newsletter, Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, The Pioneer Woman Cooks