Calling all Foodies: Mac and Cheese

Yo, yo, yo!

This past weekend was a 3-day break for us so please excuse us for the temporary absence from AMOK! We still love you all!

I am SO excited to share this recipe because if I am being real... Ruby and I eat this at least once a week... usually more. So drool over it, love it, feed your friends with it, and most of all, enjoy it.

FRANKIE'S FAMOUS MAC AND CHEESE

INGREDIENTS:

As far as cheese goes, I always use cheddar (sharp is best) and parmesan.
I usually grate a block of the cheddar and then also add whatever other cheese I have in the fridge.
Some of my other favorites are smoked gouda, peppered Toscana from Trader Joe's,
and really any hard cheese that's not too strong that it will take over the other flavors.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 350
2. Put water on to boil
3. Use this time to grate the cheese and slice the onion
4. Add the pasta to the water and cook for the time indicated on the packaging
5. Add the onions to a skillet with oil on medium-high heat
6. Once the onions are soft and translucent, add the tomatoes whole and put a cover on the skillet. Stir occasionally to keep from burning
7. THE SAUCE (this part is not necessarily difficult, it just moves quickly so be sure to read this part before you start!)
1. In a saucepan, melt the butter on medium heat
2. Slowly whisk flour until it is thick and pasty (you don't have to use all of it)
3. Slowly whisk milk until it is smooth then turn up the heat and continue to whisk until it begins to boil (again, you don't have to use all of it)
4. Once the mixture is boiling, turn off the heat and add the cheese (save a little for the top of the mac and cheese)
5. Place back on medium heat and whisk until it is smooth and creamy (if the cheese isn't melting all the way, add a little more milk to thin it out.
8. Pour the onions, tomatoes and cheese sauce on the pasta and stir
9. Pour entire mixture into a pyrex dish or other oven-safe dish
10. Sprinkle the left-over cheese on top to make a crust
1. For extra flavor in the crust, mix Italian bread crumbs with the cheese 
11. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 then switch the oven to broil for 3-5 minutes or until the crust is crunchy and golden brown
12. Take out of the oven and fend off anyone within the vicinity of the scent because they will fight you to eat it.

Here's that sauce:

I'm sorry.... what? Do you see that cheese...? Yah. That's real life.

Okay... WHAT? It's insane. Try it.

Don't be afraid to experiment with this one! Use all white cheeses and add a touch of truffle oil and mushrooms instead of tomatoes for a delicious alternative. Or add lots of different veggies or even try sausage.. and with this particular version, I must say, bacon is a GREAT addition.

Feel free to comment with questions or success stories! You can comment with failures too... I've had my fair share of epic food failures.

Anywho... ENJOY!

Fiercely yours,