Alton Brown's Mac & Cheese

Mac & cheese makes a delicious side dish or meal.Photo byPHOTO BY: ANDREW BUI; FOOD STYLING: BROOKE CAISON

Macaroni and cheese, what is more fondly called mac and cheese, is a staple food for most families. Many people will make the box version from Kraft or another company, but it's nowhere near what it should taste like.

For homemade mac and cheese, it's important to make a roux. A roux is a mixture of fat and flour. It's important to cook the roux to make sure the flour is cooked and the taste of the flour is cooked out of it. It makes for a thick cheese sauce that can be mixed with the macaroni. Another thing is the topping, which is usually made with bread crumbs and butter. When baked, it creates a crispy contrast that is delicious with the creamy, cheesy macaroni.

Below is a great recipe by Alton Brown.

Alton Browns Mac & Cheese:

Ingredients:

• 1⁄2lb elbow macaroni
• 3tablespoons butter
• 3tablespoons flour
• 1tablespoon mustard powder
• 3cups milk
• 1⁄2cup yellow onion, finely diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1⁄2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 large egg
• 12-16 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (or a combination of cheese)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• fresh black pepper to taste

• • • • Topping

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs

Directions:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a large pot of boiling, salted water cook the pasta to al dente.
• While the pasta is cooking, in a separate pot, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and mustard and keep it moving for about five minutes making sure it's free of lumps.
• Stir in the milk, onion, bay leaf, and paprika. Simmer for ten minutes and remove the bay leaf.
• Temper in the egg. Stir in 3/4 of the cheese. Season with salt and pepper.
• Fold the macaroni into the mix and pour into a 2-quart casserole dish. Top with remaining cheese.
• For the topping, melt the butter in a sauté pan and toss the bread crumbs to coat. Top the macaroni with the bread crumbs. Bake for 30 minutes.
• Remove from oven and rest for five minutes before serving.