Macaroni Cheese

[EcclesCake]

I have cooked for over 25 years and am Cordon Bleu trained so know a bit about home cooking and fancy cooking.

Today I made my first ever Macaroni cheese, it wasn't bad and was warmly received by the guys I'm working with who all went back for seconds!

I know I 'pimped' my recipe but I do have to wonder what the hell my Mother did to hers to make me avoid it for the last 30 odd years!

What is your secret to a good macaroni cheese?

[bimbo123456]

I think the main problem people have is not enough sauce. Also if you cook it again in the oven it can get very dry, as the pasta absorbs the liquid.

[EcclesCake]

I completely agree that an oven can dry out some dishes and it is a common problem with food made in advance. If cooked in one go, going straight from the hob to under the grill to finish off is a good strategy. Blow torches have their place but by and large I prefer a grill to finish off this kind of dish. I don't only want colour, I want to achieve a crunchy, crispy texture on a gratin/cheese topped dish.

[vodkancoke]

I'm Cordon Bleu trained too, sadly we never did macaroni cheese either :(

I use really strong cheese and dijon mustard too...and it has to be served with tomato ketchup! lol

[EcclesCake]

V&C -I coped with the addition of more pepper, adding ketchup might have been a step too far!

I know someone who puts ketchup on cheese salad, I find it very difficult to cook for them!

[ummmm]

My dad put ketchup on more or less everything. Even Sunday dinners...

[EcclesCake]

Mmm, yum, stodgetastic....

[mccfluffy]

Mark spencer made me a lush 4 cheese one the other day, i have to add peas and bacon tho tho

[askyourgran]

I couldn't tell you Eccles, I'm not a fussy eater but I absolutely hate macaroni cheese.

[annie0000]

I make the sauce with half milk, half chicken stock - delicious and not as claggy.

[EcclesCake]

Mccfluff - congratulations to your 'personal'chef ;-)

RH - I agree, but adding mash to pasta and a roux based sauce is way too much carb for me!

AYG - Until today I was in your camp, I'm now moving into the 'could be convinced' camp!

Annie - Making a veloute type sauce is a good idea, I might try it!

[annie0000]

Is that what it's called? well now I know!

[Euphemia]

Stodge it is not. Comfort feed it is.

[derekgprior]

Coleman's mustard powder in the cheese sauce. Just like my mother used to make.

[Euphemia]

^ Comfort food

[guilliebrougues]

when making my sauce for macaroni cheese I always add 1 tabs chopped onion and a good pinch of dry mustard