This is an ode to my favourite food…
I am a huge fan macaroni & cheese. It's pure comfort food, it makes me feel like I am home and can bring me out of even the worst moods. This recipe has been my favourite for a long time, I've tried countless others but I always come back to this one. I can't remember where I got it from but I memorised it a long time ago and have been refining it ever since. Minimalist, fuss-free and rewarding; if only everything in life was this simple.
Ingredients
- 25g plain flour
- 25g butter
- 3/4 pint milk
- 125g strong cheddar cheese, grated
- 1/2 onion
- Pinch grated nutmeg
- 2 garlic cloves
- 400g macaroni
- Salt and pepper to season
- A handful of breadcrumbs (optional)
- 50g Parmesan cheese, grated (optional)
Method
- 1Lightly crush the garlic cloves with a spoon to break their skin, add with the onion to the milk and warm in a pan over a low heat to infuse.
- 2Melt the butter over a moderate heat in a saucepan and add the flour. Stir together to make a paste
- 3Pass the infused milk through a sieve and mix slowly into the paste, reduce the heat and stir until the sauce thickens.
- 4Once thick, remove from the heat and stir in the cheese and nutmeg until the cheese has melted, season to taste.
- 5Cook the macaroni in lightly salted water according to packet instructions, drain and place in an appropriately sized oven proof dish.
- 6Pour the cheese sauce over the macaroni and stir until evenly coated. Level the mixture and sprinkle breadcrumbs and parmesan over the top for the crust. Season.
- 7Place in a preheated oven at 200c for 15-20 minutes, or until bubbling and golden on top.
- 8Serve in a bowl, with a smile & eat somewhere comfortable with someone you love.