Hopes And Dreams Mac And Cheese Food

GOLD CADILLAC MAC 'N CHEESE

Steps:

• Boil the pasta until al dente and drain well so that you don't have excess cooking water which will dilute the flavor. While the pasta is cooking, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, and add the onion, cooking until translucent. Add the flour a little at a time to make a roux. Do this gradually because some batches of flour absorb more than others and you may not need as much. Incorporate enough of the chicken broth a little at a time to form a smooth sauce. Simmer for a least 10 minutes to allow the flour to "cook out." Add the heavy cream and Cheddar, then season with salt and white pepper, to taste. Then fold in as much pasta as you need to acquire the right consistency for macaroni and cheese. Transfer to a 3-quart baking dish and sprinkle with crushed crackers. Heat in oven for a few minutes to toast the crackers. Garnish with the reserved whole crackers and serve.

MEATLOAF WITH COLLARD GREENS AND MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• For the meatloaf: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Combine the ground beef, milk, onion, garlic, Heinz 57, breadcrumbs, parsley, salt and pepper in a bowl. Mix well.
• Form the ground beef mixture into a loaf and place in a baking dish. Bake until the meatloaf reaches an internal temperature of 150 degrees F, 45 to 60 minutes, basting with the pan drippings every 15 minutes. Brush the meatloaf with the BBQ sauce 15 minutes before it's done cooking.
• Remove the meatloaf from the oven and allow it to rest for 15 minutes, then cut into six portions and hold for plating.
• For the ham hock broth:
• Fill a 6-quart pot with 1 gallon cold water. Add the ham hocks. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer. Allow the broth to simmer for 3 hours. Add the onions, carrots, celery and corn cobs, and simmer for 1 hour more. Strain the broth through a fine-mesh sieve (the final quantity should be between 2 and 3 quarts). Remove the ham hocks and pick the meat for use in the collard greens.
• For the collard greens: Melt the butter in a large pot. Add the onions and garlic, and saute for 3 to 4 minutes to sweat the onions. Add the chile flakes and saute 1 minute. Add the collard greens and ham hock meat, stirring to wilt the collards. Add the cider vinegar, apple juice and 8 cups of the ham hock broth, and bring to a simmer. Cover the pot and simmer until the greens are tender, 1 hour. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the mac and cheese: In a saucepot, melt the butter and then whisk in the flour to make a roux. Cook the roux for 2 minutes, then slowly whisk in the milk and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, whisking regularly.
• Add the cream cheese and cheddar, stirring until all the cheese is melted into the sauce.
• Just before plating, heat the chicken stock in a pan and add the cooked pasta. Once the pasta is hot, add the cheese sauce and bring to a boil. Reduce the sauce to a thick consistency that coats the back of the spoon. Stir in the salt and pepper.
• For Plating: Divide the mac and cheese between the six plates. Place a piece of the meatloaf over the top of the mac and cheese. With a slotted spoon, put some of the collard greens next to the meatloaf. Serve.
• Melt the butter in a saucepot. Add the onions and garlic, and saute until the onions are translucent. Add the chili powder, smoked paprika, dry mustard, garlic powder, onion powder and cayenne. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes to toast the spices. Add the brown sugar and molasses; stir until the sugar is dissolved.
• Add the ketchup, Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce and cider vinegar, and bring to a simmer. Cook the sauce for 30 to 45 minutes and then puree with an immersion blender. Season with salt and pepper. Yield: 1 gallon

MACARONI AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Make a roux by melting the butter with the flour in a large pot over medium heat. Cook the roux until it resembles wet sand, about 5 minutes Add the milk and whisk constantly until smooth. Add the Cheddar, American cheese and cream cheese, and whisk to a creamy sauce consistency.
• Add the sauce to the macaroni and cook to desired consistency. Mix in the kosher salt and some white pepper.

BECHAMEL MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Over medium heat in a saucepan, heat the milk with the stock and salt, stirring throughout. Continue to heat the milk mixture over medium heat, and then reduce to low heat once the milk has begun to froth or simmer.
• Next, in a second saucepan, heat the butter until melted. Stir in the flour. Reduce the heat to low and stir until well incorporated. Remove from the heat when it is a pale tan color (a blond roux).
• Once the roux has thickened, slowly stir into the milk mixture to blend. Continue to stir over low heat until well incorporated. Finally, remove from the heat and whisk in the cheeses. Once mixed, add the pasta, again stir well and serve.