Comfort Food: Mac & Cheese

I don't know about you, but when the mornings are crisp and the evening are cool, I find myself wanting to bake.  So, over the last couple of weeks, I've been a bakin'.

While greasing the skids, if you will, I warmed up with a classic comfort food: Mac & Cheese.

I'll show you what I originally did, but I think next time I'm going to make some changes and grow-up this classic.

This is what you'll need:

1# pasta (I used Elbows)

4T butter

4T flour

2c milk

1/2t salt

some pepper

2c shredded cheese (I used combo of cheddar and Monterrey jack)

1/2c bread crumbs

Next time I'm adding:

1c chopped onion and butter to saute

pinch pepper flakes

1/2 c white wine

In large saucepan, saute onions in some butter with pepper flakes.  Deglaze pan with wine when onions are browned a bit.  When wine has reduced, add the 4T butter.  When that's melted, add flour, salt and pepper and stir with whisk until well blended.  Pour in milk gradually; stirring constantly.  Bring to a boil point and boil for 2 min while stirring constantly. Reduce heat and cook for 10 minutes while continually stirring.  Gradually add shredded cheese and simmer an additional 5 minutes or until cheese melts.  Remove from heat and stir in cooked pasta.  Transfer to a greased baking dish when pasta is well coated with the cheese.  Sprinkle with bread crumbs and pop into a 400 degree oven and cook for about 20 minutes until the top is golden.

It's oooy and goooy and just perfect when you want to curl up on the couch with your sweetheart after a busy day and relax - warm bowl in hand.