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September 23, 2003
The Great Mac & Cheese Challenge
All right. It's [somewhat] official. Based on comments, both online and personal, stemming from this past post, I would like to begin the first phase in the Great Mac and Cheese Challenge.
Phase I: Post your favorite macaroni and cheese recipe here or email it to me [corie at callalillie.com]. Callalillie will try and create a side blog for the recipes (so that y'all can try them and then comment).
Phase II: Callalillie will compile recipes and taste test 'em, with comments. You guys will, too.
Phase III: Maaaaybe, just maybe, Mac and cheese peeps, bloggers and non, will convene to taste test all recipes (to be brought by people-- my kitchen isn't big enough to cook them all), including the instant kind. Could be an event in the works, no?
In the meantime, I will roadtest all recipes with Cheesebus, my mac and cheese loving roommate, and others who might request attendance.
This is a really dumb idea...but somehow I like it.
Posted by callalillie at September 23, 2003 12:59 PM | Food
"Classic" Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
6 tablespoons butter, divided
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 teaspoon Worcestershire
3 cups milk
1 small onion, grated
3/4 pound shredded sharp Cheddar cheese (3 cups)
8 ounces elbow macaroni, cooked and drained
3/4 cup soft bread crumbs
In saucepan over medium low heat melt 4 tablespoons butter; blend in flour and seasonings, stirring until smooth and bubbly. Gradually stir in milk; cook and stir until thick and smooth. Stir in grated onion and cheese.
Place cooked drained macaroni in a buttered 3-quart casserole. Pour sauce over macaroni and gently mix to blend. Melt remaining 2 tablespoons of butter and toss with the bread crumbs. Sprinkle bread crumbs over the macaroni.
Bake at 375° for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
Macaroni and cheese recipe serves 4 to 6.
Posted by: callalillie at September 23, 2003 1:09 PM
mmm, lotta cheese, lotta butter! i think when this is all done everybody should go have their cholesterol checked.
Posted by: Jimmy Legs at September 23, 2003 2:49 PM
Posted by: callalillie at September 23, 2003 2:52 PM
Oooh, I have a recipe book on my site (http://www.sassygals.net/recipes) and will be more than willing to add any good mac and cheese recipes to it!
Posted by: dahl at September 23, 2003 3:22 PM
i totally want to use your recipe to make some macaroni & cheese.
i was thinking.. which restaurant do you think has the best mac & cheese in new york? i'm thinking bubby's or mama's food shop.
Posted by: rachelleb at September 23, 2003 3:46 PM
Hmm. The Pink Teacup makes good mac and cheese, I think. I'm not sure that I've ever had it in a restaurant before. New project! Actually, Alaina might have good input on this, as she's got a lot of know when it comes to restaurants in NYC.
Posted by: callalillie at September 23, 2003 3:49 PM
Chat 'n' Chew on 16th Street had some pretty awesome mac 'n' cheese last time I checked, but that was a couple of years ago. I had trouble getting past the restaurant's name, though. I seem to recall that City Bakery's is good, too.
Tennessee Mountain Restaurant's is terrible. Just terrible. And remember, I'm one who doesn't mind the boxed stuff.
Posted by: India at September 23, 2003 6:12 PM
Chat 'n' Chew's mac & cheese is not bad, especially if like yours with a crispy top. Just this weekend I sampled the mac & cheese at L Cafe on Bedford Ave, also acceptable.
My money is on Artisanal (the French bistro and fromagerie) for the most decadent mac & cheese.
Posted by: Alaina at September 23, 2003 11:24 PM
The restuarant that inhabited the space before Rocco's (Commune?) had really excellent Mac and Cheese with truffles. Wish I could say the same for the rest of their food (probably explaining their demise).
Posted by: dahl at September 24, 2003 11:34 AM
what's the time frame here? i think i may have a worthy entrant, but i need to perfect it a little.
Posted by: Jimmy Legs at September 25, 2003 12:14 AM
I have no entry, but I will say that the recipe posted in comment number 1 has a permanent place in my recipe folder. I have to concur with Jimmy Legs, though -- one serving of this is compelling me to eat nothing but salads for at least a week. Or at least feel really guilty for not doing so.
Posted by: Ashley at September 25, 2003 9:26 PM
no time frame...rolling admissions
Posted by: bobtrancho at September 26, 2003 3:52 PM
i went to the supermarket last night armed with this recipe, intending to buy the ingredients, when i realized that i dont have a 3-qt casserole or anything to bake in. . blasted! i sold all of my kitchen equipment when i moved to new york a couple years ago and havent really built up my replacement arsenol yet. so one of my missions this weekend is to get a 3-qt casserole.
Posted by: rachelleb at October 3, 2003 1:39 PM
Posted by: Alaina at October 15, 2003 9:07 AM
Posted by: rachelleb at October 24, 2003 10:46 AM
Posted by: rachelleb at November 16, 2003 10:54 PM
