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The best Macaroni & cheese recipe

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">In my house we just call it ‘cheesy pasta’ and it’s at the top of the most requested dinner list.</span></p> <p><strong>Ingredients</strong></p> <ul> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">400g macaroni</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">50g butter</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">25g plain flour</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">450ml full-cream milk</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">200g semi-hard cheese, grated (use whatever you have on hand)</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">½ teaspoon seeded mustard</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">pinch of freshly grated nutmeg</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">40g (½ cup) fresh breadcrumbs</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">1 tablespoon grated parmesan</span></li> <li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">2 teaspoons finely chopped thyme leaves</span></li> </ul> <p><strong>Directions</strong></p> <p>1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. In a large stockpot, cook the pasta in plenty of boiling salted water until al dente.</p> <p>2. While the pasta is cooking, melt half the butter in a heavy-based saucepan over medium heat and stir in the flour. Cook for a couple of minutes, stirring, and then gradually whisk in the milk, whisking constantly until the sauce thickens. Remove from the heat and stir through the grated semi-hard cheese, mustard and nutmeg.</p> <p>3. Drain the pasta and transfer to an ovenproof dish. Pour the cheese sauce over the top and stir through. Melt the remaining butter in a small pan. Remove from the heat and transfer to a small bowl. Add the breadcrumbs, parmesan and thyme and mix well to combine. Sprinkle this over the top of the pasta.</p> <p>4. Bake in the oven for about 15–20 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">This is an edited extract from </span><a href="http://t.dgm-au.com/c/185116/69171/1880?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.booktopia.com.au%2Fmilk-made-nick-haddow%2Fprod9781743791356.html"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Milk. Made.</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> by Nick Haddow published by Hardie Grant Books RRP $55 and is available in stores nationally. Image © Alan Benson.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Republished with permission of </span><a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/recipes/macaroni-cheese.aspx"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wyza.com.au.</span></a></p>

Food & Wine

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Broccoli mac and cheese bowls

<p>Macaroni and cheese is the ultimate comfort food, and with the addition of broccoli florets and a delicious sauce, this classic dish reaches new heights. </p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Serves:</span></strong> 4 to 6</p> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Ingredients:</span></strong></p> <ul> <li>1 bunch of broccoli</li> <li>2 cups elbow macaroni</li> <li>4 tablespoons butter</li> <li>3 tablespoons plain flour</li> <li>3 cups of milk (low fat or full cream)</li> <li>½ teaspoon dry mustard</li> <li>Pinch of ground nutmeg</li> <li>1 ½ teaspoons freshly grated black pepper</li> <li>¼ teaspoon paprika</li> <li>½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce</li> <li>2 cups grated cheddar cheese</li> <li>½ cup grated parmesan cheese</li> <li>Salt</li> </ul> <p><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Method:</span></strong></p> <ol> <li>To begin, heat water in a large pot on a high heat and cook pasta al dente style for two minutes less than that on the package instructions.</li> <li>Rinse quickly in cold water to stop cooking, drain and set aside.</li> <li>Sprinkle broccoli with a little bit of salt, then steam for four minutes.</li> <li>Preheat oven to 260°C and heat milk in microwave or over stove until steamy.</li> <li>Melt butter in tick-bottomed oven-safe pot on medium high heat.</li> <li>When butter starts to foam, sprinkle in flour and whisk to combine.</li> <li>Lower the heat to a medium temperature and cook for two minutes. </li> <li>Pour hot milk in and whisk vigorously to combine, breaking any flour clumps.</li> <li>Lower heat to medium low and let cook, whisking frequently. The sauce should be smooth, yet thick enough to coat the back of the spoon.</li> <li>Stir in dry mustard, paprika, nutmeg, pepper, Worcestershire sauce, and teaspoon of salt.</li> <li>Whisk in 1 1/2 cups of the grated cheddar and parmesan cheese.</li> <li>Stir until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.</li> <li>Add broccoli and pasta and stir until well combined.</li> <li>Sprinkle remaining cheddar cheese on top and place under grill for five minute or until bubbly and lightly browned.</li> </ol> <p>Now that’s how you do comfort food! Have you ever tried a recipe like this, or would you suggest any variations? Let us know in the comments.</p> <p><strong><em>Have you ordered your copy of the Over60 cookbook, </em>The Way Mum Made It<em>, yet? Featuring 178 delicious tried-and-true recipes from you, the Over60 community, and your favourites that have appeared on the Over60 website, <a href="https://shop.abc.net.au/products/way-mum-made-it-pbk" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">head to the abcshop.com.au to order your copy now</span></a>.</em></strong></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/04/mac-and-cheese-balls/"><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Mac and cheese balls</strong></span></em></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/09/best-ever-beef-lasagne/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Best-ever beef lasagne</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/lifestyle/food-wine/2016/07/broccoli-chicken/"><em><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Broccoli chicken</span></strong></em></a></p>

Food & Wine