Mac & Cheese - January 15, 2011

So I decided to branch out once again and make something else from scratch ... cue the spotlight and wonder woman costume! I decided to make a classic feel good meal - Macaroni and Cheese.
Again I must say that after all the chopping and boiling and mixing and CLEANING just buying a box of Kraft Mac and Cheese is so much easier. And I use to consider that cooking. I mean you have to boil, drain, add milk, butter and cheese right!?!? Maybe we can agree to call it cooking, just novice cooking. Because I would hate to feel like a failure when I opt for the box!


Ingredients:
(6- 8 servings)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 pound elbow macaroni
6 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups whole milk (*I used 2 cups milk and 1 cup heavy cream)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
pinch cayenne
2 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese (* I added an extra cup of Colby Jack Cheese)
1/2 cup fine bread crumbs
1 teaspoon Essence (*I did not use this)
1 teaspoon crushed garlic (*not in the original recipe)
1/2 onion very finely chopped (*not in the original recipe)
(foodnetwork.com emril's mac and cheese - *changes I made)

Directions:
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the butter and set aside
Step 2: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Drain well
Step 3: Melt the remaining 5 tablespoons butter in a heavy 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. add garlic and onion
Step 4: In mixer on level 2 with whisk attachment mix together flour and milk for approx 2 min
Step 5: Add the salt, pepper and cayenne into mixer and blend well
Step 6: Pour mixed ingredients into the saucepan and use a whisk while on med heat continually stirring for 3 -4 min, then remove from heat.
Step 7: Add the 3 cups of cheese (2 cheddar and one colby) stirring well. Add the noodles and stir well. Pour into the prepared dish
Step 8: In a small mixing bowl combine the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese with the bread crumbs then sprinkle it evenly over macaroni
Step 9: Bake at 350 for 25 minutes, then allow to cool for 5 minutes before serving

Tips:
* I doubled this recipe because 1/2 a pound of macaroni didn't sound like enough. Believe me it was enough! I will be eating this for leftovers for days to come!!!
* The original recipe didn't seem to have enough zing to it. My good friend offered up some additional ingredients which made it even that much better! Lessons: 1) when a friend gives you a suggestion give it a shot. 2) garlic and onions make everything better.