My Comfort Food : Mac n Cheese

WARNING : If you are on a diet, dont read this post!

One of the very first recipes I made when I came to US was Mac n Cheese! The idea of how such a simple dish of some cheese and pasta could create sensations to one's palate,never ceased to amaze me. There are millions of variations ranging from the simple of ingredients to complex assortment of cheeses.But this is one of those v few dishes which is so flexible to accomodate any versions without compromising on taste.



Be it from using almost fat free version to adding veggies to it, the flavor that it imparts is so soothing. Cold,rainy days makes me crave for spicy,fried and cheesy goodies.There is something so comforting about a crusty and gooey cheese that melts and clings on your sides of your mouth and goes sliding on your oral cavity!Yum! Below is the recipe of Mac n cheese, the way,I like it.

Ingredients


• 2 cups Macaroni Pasta (elbow pasta )
  
  
• 2 cups milk
  
  
• 1 bay leaf
  
  
• 3 tbsp butter
  
  
• 3 tbsp flour
  
  
• 1 cup grated cheddar
  
  
• 1/4 cup parmesan cheese,grated
  
  
• 1 cup Mozzerella cheese,grated
  
  
• 1/2 cup Monterey Jack Cheese,grated
  
  
• 1/2-1 cup bread crumbs
  
  
• salt and pepper to taste
  

Method

Cook the pasta as per the instructions in the label. Cooking upto 90% is enough since more cooking will take place in the oven. Preheat the Oven to 350F



Heat a saucepan. Warm the milk slightly with Bay leaf. Allow it to infuse for 5 min. Meanwhile heat a non stick pan. Add the butter and melt it on medium heat. Add the flour and whisk it well till you it starts foaming and starts getting a lightly toasty smell. Take care not to burn it/darken it.



Remove the bay leaf from the milk and add it along with this flour mixture and whisk well till it thickens in consistency, approx 5-6min.



Remove from heat and add all the cheeses and mix it till it melts into one solid mass.



Now add the pasta along with it and season it well and mix well again. Pour it out onto a well greased baking dish.



Sprinkle the top with bread crumbs well till it covers the top completely and bake it in the oven for 30-40 min till it starts bubbling and the top is browned. Its a good idea to place a foil or another oven proof dish to catch any spills from the dish when its bubbling.Scoop it on a plate and get ready for a heavenly experience.



This is my contribution to Meeta's Monthly Mingle Event:Comfort Foods and to Eve's Comfort Food Cook Off Event