Cheese Scoops With Guacamole Food

CHEESE SCOOPS WITH GUACAMOLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Put a 12-cup mini muffin tin near the oven. Line a baking sheet with a nonstick baking mat or parchment.
• Combine the Cheddar and taco seasoning in a medium bowl and mix well.
• Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the cheese mixture into a mound on the prepared baking sheet. Make 11 more cheese mounds on the baking sheet, leaving about 3 inches of space between each mound. Press each down slightly so that they are about 1/2 inch thick.
• Bake until the cheese mounds fall into flat disks and the edges are golden brown, about 4 minutes. Working quickly, before the cheese crisps and hardens, transfer the cheese disks with a small offset spatula to the cups of the mini muffin pan and press each into the bottom and against the sides to form cups. Let cool completely in the tin and then transfer to a serving platter.
• Once the baking sheet has cooled completely, make another batch of cheese crisps with the remaining cheese mixture.
• Combine the onion, tomato, cilantro, oil, lime juice, avocados and salt in a bowl and mix gently to combine.
• Fill each cheese cup with some of the guacamole.

PERFECT CHEESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a medium saucepot over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring often, until a thick paste forms and turns golden brown. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook 30 seconds more.
• Gradually whisk in the milk, adding 1 cup at a time. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer before adding the next. It will be extremely thick at first and will thin with each addition. When all the milk is added bring the sauce to a simmer and cook 5 more minutes. Whisk in the cream cheese.
• Remove the sauce from the heat. Add the Cheddar and Parmesan and whisk until smooth. The sauce keeps refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for 6 months. If using from cold, carefully bring the sauce back to a boil before serving.

TACO MAC 'N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Place a large saute pan over high heat, add the ground beef and taco seasoning, reserving 1 tablespoon of the mix for the Perfect Cheese Sauce. Mix thoroughly. Cook, stirring often using a wooden spoon or spatula to break the meat into small crumbles. Continue cooking until the meat releases its liquid, and then cook further until all the liquid has evaporated and the meat begins to brown, about 10 minutes.
• Combine the Perfect Cheese Sauce and cooked pasta in a large bowl. Pour in the cooked meat and stir to combine. Pour into a 9- by 13-inch baking dish. Level the pasta with the back of a spoon or spatula. Scatter the grated Cheddar over the pasta. Bake until browned and bubbling, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove and let cool 5 minutes.
• Immediately before serving, scatter the sour cream, lettuce and fresh tomato over the mac 'n' cheese.
• Melt the butter in a medium saucepot over medium heat. Stir in the flour and cook, stirring often, until a thick paste forms and turns golden brown. Stir in the taco seasoning and cook 30 seconds more.
• Gradually whisk in the milk, adding 1 cup at a time. Allow the mixture to come to a simmer before adding the next. It will be extremely thick at first and will thin with each addition. When all the milk is added bring the sauce to a simmer and cook 5 more minutes. Whisk in the cream cheese.
• Remove the sauce from the heat. Add the Cheddar and Parmesan and whisk until smooth. The sauce keeps refrigerated for up to 2 weeks or frozen for 6 months. If using from cold, carefully bring the sauce back to a boil before serving.