Monday, December 28, 2009

"Over The Rainbow" Macaroni and Cheese

I have been wanting to blog about this dish for a very long time. This is my go-to mac-n-cheese, and it comes from Patti LaBelle, a popular R&B singer from the 60s to the 80s. The recipe calls for 5 different cheeses, lots of butter, and half-n-half. Also, there's no need to make a roux for the cheese sauce.

On a similar note, here is the Christmas dinner my mother and I had. Since it was just the two of us, we didn't have to make loads of food, but it still turned out to be much more than we could handle because we still have leftovers of everything but the gravy.

My mom made potato salad and green beans. (Notice out traditional, holiday drink: Welch's Sparkling Red Grape juice cocktail! YUM! I can drink a whole bottle w/o the use of a glass!)
I brined and roasted a whole chicken (the only way to roast chicken and turkey in my opinion). I also made yeast rolls (not pictured), the "famous" crockpot dressing, "Over the Rainbow" Macaroni and Cheese (recipe below), and chicken gravy (chicken drippings + roux + salt to taste). (Do you see the standing globe in the background? That is the present I gave my mom for Christmas. She was so excited about it that she wanted it in almost all of my photos haha.)

For dessert, I made chocolate peanut butter tarts, which I will blog about next.

I hope you try out this macaroni and cheese dish. It is fabulous. Please grate your own cheese instead of buying the already grated kind for a cheesier, creamier result, and don't be afraid of the Velveeta. :D

"Over the Rainbow" Macaroni and Cheese
adapted by LaBelle's cuisine: Recipes to Sing About.
Recipe posted on Oprah.com (here is a video of her making it with Oprah Winfrey)

1 Tbsp vegetable or olive oil
1 lb elbow macaroni (454 grams) or any other small-shaped pasta
8 Tbsp (1 stick) plus 1 Tbsp butter
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Muenster cheese (Use more of the other cheeses in place of this if you don't have it)
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded mild Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup (8 ounces) Velveeta , cut into small cubes
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 tsp seasoned salt (I use Lawry's)
1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a deep 2 1/2-quart casserole.

Bring the large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the oil, then the elbow macaroni, and cook until the macaroni is just tender, about 6-7 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain well. Return to the cooking pot.

In a small saucepan, melt eight tablespoons (one stick) of the butter. Stir into the macaroni. In a large bowl, mix the Muenster, mild and sharp Cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses. To the macaroni, add the half-and-half, 1 1/2 cups of the shredded cheese, the cubed Velveeta (all of it), and the eggs. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to the buttered casserole. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup of shredded cheese and dot with the remaining one tablespoon of butter.

Bake until it's bubbling around the edges for approximately 30-35 minutes.

17 comments:

  1. Wow. Looks like some killer mac and cheese! Wow.

    About the globe: someone just gifted us an old standing globe a few weeks ago and it made me feel like we're finally an official homeschooling family.

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  2. That macaroni and cheese was so cheesy and doggone good! I am so glad you were able to come spend Christmas with me; not only will I have magnificent homemade full-of-love leftovers, but I will also have beautiful memories of our time together and my gorgeous standing globe! What more could a girl like me want? :o)

    Thank you for everything!

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  3. Wow!! Love the colour of your mac and cheese!! So rich and nicely brown :)

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  4. Delicious comfort food, it's a favorite of everyone.

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  5. Mac and cheese is one of my favorite comfort foods now that I can appreciate homemade. This sounds delicious and easy.

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  6. Aw, man, you totally jipped us--where the picture of it sitting pretty on your plate? That's OK, I've been needing to make some homemade mac and cheese (I never have!), so I'll be able to see it for myself. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. Ugh I adore a good mac and cheese! You are tempting me so much even though I am supposed to be eating light food now that the holidays are over. Well, maybe I'll start my diet after this dish....

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  8. Hi!!! I just run into your blog trough tastespotting. Its AMAZING!... (and delicious!)
    Thank you so much for sharing all this with everyone!...

    (Im from Argentina.... and part of my family lives in Portugal... so... great combination of languages you have!!!! and im happy that i could understand everything)

    ok... just that... say that your blog is amazing :-)

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  9. Love my Macand Cheese. Patti Labelle is awesome in the kithcen.Happy New Year

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  10. Oh my - using that much cheese is making me drool! What a great recipe. Patti not only has a great singing voice - now I know she can also cook. I love her even more!

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  11. I was hoping your tackled the DB GB house, since I know youy would have rocked it..but boy, does this macaroni and cheese look great, and just what I need after too much holiday type food. Nice, down home, simple cooking :) Hope you have a wonderful New Year!

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  12. Wow wow wow!!! My kind of dish and you made it beautifully. I have never seen such a seductive mac n cheese! Happy New Year to you and your loved ones, Memoria. May 2010 bring you lots of joy and laughter!

    Ju

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  13. I made this for our last fattening dish of 2009 since we are going to *try* to be healthier in 2010. It's very yummy!! Now what to do with all the leftovers? I'm afraid to try eating it in small portions for fear I'll go overboard. :)

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  14. Hey, thanks for your comment :) You have a good blog.

    The recipe is very easy, mix hot milk with molten chocolate and sugar. After that, put on the chocolate whipped cream, finally add cinnamon in powder, it's delicious.

    Sorry for my english, I hope that you have understood everything. If you have some question more ask me please :)

    Happy New Year

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  15. Thank you all for your comments!!

    Veronica M. - You're funny! I didn't post a plated version of this mac n cheese because we were too busy eating it. My mom was getting anxious when I fixed up the table, so I doubt she would have tolerated another photo haha. You'll just have to make this for yourself and see how it looks. :) Enjoy! Wait! You did make it!! I'm so glad it turned out well!

    Glamah - Yes, she is...She is awesome onstage and in the kitchen.

    Trissa - I agree completely.

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  16. Ooh might have to try this one! I love love LOVE mac & cheese of every variety!

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  17. Is there a way to make it without Velveeta? Will it change the consistency by a lot?

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