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Old 09-09-2011, 20:10
Pixie Queen
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We came back from holiday on Tuesday and as our delightful offspring had ensured almost everything edible was ate I made Himself and I Macaroni Cheese.

I made the cheese sauce cooked the macaroni and mixed it together. All cooked within 15 minutes.

Does anyone have little twists they add when they have extra time? i.e. adding veg or something else just to make make Mac 'n' Cheese a little bit special.

The other night I had some Red Leicester, a little Gruyere and Parmesan to put in the sauce - mostly Red Leicester. Any other cheese that works good for a posh macaroni and cheese?
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Old 09-09-2011, 20:12
mrs_buckley
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I put mine in the oven afterward with some cheese grated on top. I also have a gorgeous 'expansion' if that's the right word, on macaroni cheese. I make the cheese sauce and cook the pasta, and while I'm doing that I sautee some thinly sliced mushrooms and leek, and cook some peas, then put it all in an oven dish, put some more grated cheese on top and put it in the oven til the top browns. Sometimes I add some chopped canned ham to it too, it's bloody lovely!
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Old 09-09-2011, 20:15
Victoria Sponge
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I put mine in the oven afterward with some cheese grated on top. I also have a gorgeous 'expansion' if that's the right word, on macaroni cheese. I make the cheese sauce and cook the pasta, and while I'm doing that I sautee some thinly sliced mushrooms and leek, and cook some peas, then put it all in an oven dish, put some more grated cheese on top and put it in the oven til the top browns. Sometimes I add some chopped canned ham to it too, it's bloody lovely!
Sounds totally yummy!
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Old 09-09-2011, 20:17
degsyhufc
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Seeing as though I can't find macaroni around here I just make pasta n sauce bake.

A couple of tips depending on how you're feeling.
Add pancetta cubes or bacon lardons
Add breadcrumbs to the top before baking for some texture
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Old 09-09-2011, 20:19
Pixie Queen
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That sounds lovely Mrs Buckley - I normally pop it in the oven but we were starving so all such finishing touches were abandoned. Himself doesn't like mushrooms ( he eats them but I have to use stealth and I'm a funny bugger about peas) The leeks sound a really good addition. Have you tried mixing some broccoli through your cheesy mac and popping sliced tomato on top before popping in the oven? It's good too.
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Old 09-09-2011, 20:19
mrs_buckley
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Sounds totally yummy!
it's one of my favourites!
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Old 09-09-2011, 20:22
Pixie Queen
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Degsyhufc - For once it was macaroni I used but sometimes it's whatever pasta is in the cupboard. I use lardons when I do carbonara but I think I'll try it in Macaroni Cheese sometime.
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Old 09-09-2011, 20:24
mrkite77
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I go straight old school with the blue box mac & cheese.
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Old 09-09-2011, 20:54
Flowsey
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I sometimes fry off a couple of bacon rashers and mix it in before cooking in the oven with extra cheese on top! Totally scrummy!
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Old 09-09-2011, 20:55
Pixie Queen
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MrKite - Stupid question alert - what's blue box Mac 'n' Cheese?
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Old 09-09-2011, 21:33
caramac42
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MrKite - Stupid question alert - what's blue box Mac 'n' Cheese?
Well the blue box we use is Marshalls Macaroni Cheese........my 17 year old loves it. But can`t get it in England so we get food parcels sent from Ayrshire every so often......or buy loads when we visit. True!!!

We currently have 45 boxes in a cupboard.

We also spend time in Florida every year and you do get some nice boxed varieties over there........pure laziness but convenient for a 17 year old
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Old 09-09-2011, 21:52
Pixie Queen
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It was Marshalls macaroni I used and I'm not many miles south of the Border. Asda do a good macaroni if you can't get Marshalls .

I make my own cheese sauce but as I live with teens and young adults I will try seek out the add liquid and stir Macaroni and cheese just for them.

I'm sure they will want to learn "how to" some time.
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Old 09-09-2011, 21:53
mrkite77
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MrKite - Stupid question alert - what's blue box Mac 'n' Cheese?
http://www.amazon.com/Kraft-Macaroni.../dp/B0019RLJV2
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Old 09-09-2011, 21:57
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Lots and lots of sauteed leeks...lovely!
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Old 09-09-2011, 22:09
mrs_buckley
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That sounds lovely Mrs Buckley - I normally pop it in the oven but we were starving so all such finishing touches were abandoned. Himself doesn't like mushrooms ( he eats them but I have to use stealth and I'm a funny bugger about peas) The leeks sound a really good addition. Have you tried mixing some broccoli through your cheesy mac and popping sliced tomato on top before popping in the oven? It's good too.
Sorry I didn't see this earlier. I have done it with broccoli in before (never overly impressed much as I like broccoli, seems to make it watery, maybe it's just me!) but the toms on top sound great, will definitely try that! Husband won't eat pasta OR cheese but my 14 month old loves anything she gets given so I'm sure she'll appreciate it!
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Old 09-09-2011, 22:09
Altheya
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Love macaroni and cheese. I add a big dollop of dijon mustard to the sauce and add cauliflower in with the macaroni, yum.
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Old 09-09-2011, 22:34
Pixie Queen
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Altheya - I get some mustard in my cheese sauce depending what and who it's for. I like it as I think you get another little flavour to kick your taste buds.

MrsBuckley - keep feeding that baby everything. Himself eats all sorts of veg but will tell you he doesn't. I use stealth. A good example is Veg Lasagne - no meat but load of veg. I blitz the veg and cook it up and he scoffs the lot.
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Old 09-09-2011, 22:37
Elanor
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I'm always intrigued as to why Americans call it macaroni and cheese, and most Brits call it macaroni cheese!

I like to add a layer of sliced tomatoes on top and bake it in the oven. Maybe some sauteed leeks too.
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Old 09-09-2011, 22:41
mrs_buckley
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What kind of mustard do you use? And once a jar is opened how long will it last? It's something I don't buy as I never have any use for it but if it lasts a good while in the fridge I might get some for making mac n cheese.

And Pixie Queen, I definitely will, she will eat all sorts, any veg, any meat, fish, curry (not that I make it very spicy), anything! (Except chocolate and sweets and crisps cos I don't give her those)
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Old 09-09-2011, 22:57
Annie1fortennis
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Sometimes i make a macaroni caulifower cheese. Its good as a side dish with gammon.
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Old 09-09-2011, 23:09
Pixie Queen
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MrsBuckley - I have jars of english mustard and dijon mustard as well as colemans mustard powder. We use the jars on cold meat sarnies and stuff like that so I don't know how long they are "good " in the fridge when opened. The mustard powder I use mainly for dressings, rubs and marinades. Again I don't know how long it stays good for. I have to admit I don't keep them in the fridge. I don't keep stuff in jars in the fridge as when I was growing up it was kept in the cupboard and so far so good!

When I do a cheese sauce it's only a little mustard I pop in, obviously this depends on the amount you are making. The other night for Himself and I, I mixed in about a quarter of a teaspoon (Himself doesn't like mustard!). You should start out a little and taste till you get what you like.

The mustard in the jars can get used in marinades and different sauces as well.

Keep up the good work with Baby as there is nothing worse than a fussy eater!

BTW #2 Slavette is the fussiest eater in the world so I know what I'm talking about. She was weaned the same as her sisters - no pre-made baby food always what we were eating mushed down. The only "baby food" the three of them had was Farleys Oats and Apples.
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Old 10-09-2011, 02:07
Clunk
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I put mine in the oven afterward with some cheese grated on top. I also have a gorgeous 'expansion' if that's the right word, on macaroni cheese. I make the cheese sauce and cook the pasta, and while I'm doing that I sautee some thinly sliced mushrooms and leek, and cook some peas, then put it all in an oven dish, put some more grated cheese on top and put it in the oven til the top browns. Sometimes I add some chopped canned ham to it too, it's bloody lovely!
I know you are MRS Buckley, then again I am a homosexual male, so my interest is purely based on your Mac 'n' Cheese technique...

therefore, and with the best of intentions (IE - my belly) - Marry Me !!

We shall consummate the arrangement with pasta in cheese sauce - with 'expansion'.

I, personally, do like to add a dash of Lea and Perrin's too - but that is just a kinky fetish of mine, LOL.

Oh, God, I want your Mac 'n' Cheese - you have made me hungry !!
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Old 10-09-2011, 04:17
kate36
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I put mine in the oven afterward with some cheese grated on top. I also have a gorgeous 'expansion' if that's the right word, on macaroni cheese. I make the cheese sauce and cook the pasta, and while I'm doing that I sautee some thinly sliced mushrooms and leek, and cook some peas, then put it all in an oven dish, put some more grated cheese on top and put it in the oven til the top browns. Sometimes I add some chopped canned ham to it too, it's bloody lovely!
mmmm i love trying new variations!

i put leeks mushrooms and bacon in mine once, gorgeous!
one of my favourite dishes!
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Old 10-09-2011, 11:30
Pixie Queen
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mrkite - Hmmm . That would be ideal for the Slavettes and it's not expensive.
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Old 10-09-2011, 13:04
mrs_buckley
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I know you are MRS Buckley, then again I am a homosexual male, so my interest is purely based on your Mac 'n' Cheese technique...

therefore, and with the best of intentions (IE - my belly) - Marry Me !!

We shall consummate the arrangement with pasta in cheese sauce - with 'expansion'.

I, personally, do like to add a dash of Lea and Perrin's too - but that is just a kinky fetish of mine, LOL.

Oh, God, I want your Mac 'n' Cheese - you have made me hungry !!
I like a man who appreciates my cooking!!
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