Friday 3/19/10 - Homemade Mac & Cheese

Tonight for dinner, I wanted to try a recipe for homemade macaroni and cheese.  I found this off the Pioneer Woman's website (http://www.thepioneerwoman.com/).  It looked yummy and figured my kids would love it too.  They've become Macaroni & Cheese connoisseurs!  I had to acquire Jack's help because I was trying to make my carrots too.  I think I need 4 more hands to get the things done around here that need to be.  Wouldn't THAT look weird?  I tried to take pictures of each step, but like I said, I had to get Jack to help while I was trying not to chop my fingers off while slicing my carrots in half.  I haven't quite mastered sharp knifes yet!  I also marinated a few steaks for Jack to grill outside.  It was such a beautiful day so he didn't mind. 


These are the ingredients that were used: 

*4 cups dried macaroni (I didn't have macaroni.  I used what I had available)

*1/4 cups butter (1/2 stick or 4 Tablespoons)

*1/4 cups all-purpose flour

*2 1/2 cups whole milk

*2 tsp (heaping) dry mustard, more if desired

*1 whole egg beaten

*1 lb cheese, grated (I used cheese in a bag)

*1/2 tsp salt, more to taste

*1/2 tsp seasoned salt, mor to taste (I used Emeril's)

* 1/2 tsp ground black pepper

First you cook your macaroni until very firm.  Macaroni should be too firm to eat right out of the pot. Drain. (Sorry, no picture of this.  I'm sure you all know how to cook macaroni by now. He he)

Beat your egg in a small bowl

In a large pot, melt butter and sprinkle in flour.  Whisk together over medium-low heat.  Cook mixture for 5 minutes, whisking constantly.  Be careful not to let it burn!

Next pour in your milk, add mustard and whisk together until smooth.  Cook for another 5 minutes until VERY thick.  Reduce heat to low.


Take 1/4 cup of the sauce and slowly pour it into your beaten egg, whisking constantly to avoid cooking your egg.  Whisk together until smooth.  Pour egg mix into sauce, whisking constantly.  Stir until smooth. (My arms wouldn't gotten tired by this time by all the whisking and stirring.)

Add in cheese and stir to melt. 

Add salts and pepper.  Taste sauce and add more salt and seasoned salt as needed.  DO NOT UNDERSALT!!

Pour in drained, cooked noodles and stir to combine.

You may serve immediately (very creamy) or pour into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese and bake for 20-25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.  (I put mine in the oven.  The extra cheese and the words "Bubbly" and "Golden" sold me). 

I baked the Mac & Cheese for 25 minutes at 350 degrees.  Sorry, this is the only picture I took of my dinner in the oven. 

The end result.  It sure was extra cheesy and bubbly and golden on the top!  Cheese makes EVERYTHING betta!  YUM!

Next up:  Yummy Steaks!

The grill master at work.  Jack can cook a mean steak, let me tell ya.  I haven't found anyone who can make a better steak than him.  And I've eaten plenty of steak in my day.  I know what I'm talkin' 'bout, people.   They melt in your mouth!  Can't ya smell 'em?   He's a "Jack of all trades"!  Sorry for the pun.

I marinated them first before he grilled them.  Don't they look heavenly?

They were delish too!  They were so tender a knife wasn't really necessary.  They were melt in your mouth kinda good. Oh yeah.  I'm starting to drool again looking at these beauties. 

I have a comment to make about the macaroni and cheese.  Jack and I thought it was better than any store bought kind out there.  My kids had a different opinion.  We ended up fixing them Velveeta shells and cheese for dinner.  Go figure.  I can see why people would buy this instead of making it.  Homemade mac and cheese is very yummy, but VERY time consuming.  If you have time great.  Us...not so much.   This will be for special occassions only!  I guess my kids are REAL Mac and Cheese connoisseurs!  :D 

We give it 4 out of 5 stars.  ENJOY!!