The Warm Up: Mac and Cheese

Ironically, this will be my first recipe posted.

Very American but thanks to Ina Garten's recipe  it has a European twist by using Gruyere and Roquefort.  For a while I was calling it "Adult Mac n Cheese" which suspiciously sounded unappetizing, so I was very relieved to see that it was really called "Grown Up Mac n Cheese."

Instead of using traditional elbow macaroni or cavatappi, I tried Mini Penne.  I followed the recipe and used 2 Cups of Pasta but after seeing it all cooked, I decided to make another batch and use the rest in the box. 

The recipe called for cooking bacon on a baking rack, which I do not have.  I do however, have a roasting rack that came with a roasting pan.  It looks weird but it works.

After 30 - 40 minutes in the over at a 400 F the bacon looks nice and crispy.  The best part:  the fat has dripped into the baking sheet away from the bacon.

I wrestled with the food processor for a good five minutes.  I have not used it in a while so I forgot how to lock it, I think I almost broke it at one time.  I actually don't have a cheese grater, but there's an attachment on this that will actually do the job. 

Gruyere cheese is named after the town it's made in:  Gruyere, Switzerland.  Those people know how to make cheese.

This is the white sauce after the rue was made with the flour, butter, milk and cheeses. 

The cooked penne looks so good...

A brief intermission:  Clean As You Go.

Instead of plating the dish individually, I had it in a baking dish.  The recipe said it would make two servings, either Ina and her guests eat a lot but I think this is more than two servings.  I love left overs, anyway.

Inspired.

I like to cook and I like to eat.

I take pleasure watching people eat dishes that induce foodgasms, especially when those dishes were made by me.  Today, has been one of the most interesting days I've had so far.  I wanted to cook, but I wanted to cook with an enlightened purpose.  I realized that most of the dishes I've longed to cook were all Filipino Dishes, but more importantly I wanted to share food with my husband and my family.


I went ahead and purchased Reynaldo Alejandro's "The Philippine Cookbook".  This project perhaps may seem far too similar to the Julie/Julia Project but I guess it doesn't matter.

 

A picture of my small and cozy apartment kitchen, after some quick clean up is somewhat suitable for public viewing.