Fancy Mac & Cheese

Directions

  1. 1Cook macaroni in lightly salted water until parboiled (around 5 minutes).
  2. 2Infuse chicken stock with rosemary, a small amount of thyme, and black peppercorns for about 25 minutes.
  3. 3Drain the parboiled macaroni and add back into the pan with a touch of olive oil.
  4. 4Reduce white wine until it is slightly sweet and acidic.
  5. 5Add the reduced wine to the infused chicken stock.
  6. 6Grate Gruyere cheese and chiffonade American cheese.
  7. 7Mix cream cheese with cornflour to form a slurry.
  8. 8Bring the stock mixture to about 80 degrees Celsius (not boiling).
  9. 9Add some grated cheese to the warm stock, stirring slowly until it melts and thickens.
  10. 10Continue to cook the cornflour out on a very gentle heat whilst stirring for around 4 or 5 minutes.
  11. 11Add a little bit of butter, sage, and thyme to toast panko breadcrumbs.
  12. 12Take out a small portion of the sauce, then add in the cream cheese slurry.
  13. 13Add a little bit of Dijon mustard to the cream cheese slurry for balance.
  14. 14Gradually add the cream cheese slurry back into the main sauce base.
  15. 15Add the sauce to the pasta first before checking and adjusting the seasoning.
  16. 16Bring the whole thing together, ensuring it is almost over moist.
  17. 17Add diced Gruyere cheese to the mac and cheese.
  18. 18Transfer to a dish, add a tiny bit more salt on top.
  19. 19Bake in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Ingredients

  • macaroni
  • salt
  • chicken stock
  • rosemary
  • thyme
  • black peppercorns
  • olive oil
  • white wine
  • Gruyere cheese
  • American cheese
  • cream cheese
  • cornflour
  • butter
  • sage
  • panko breadcrumbs
  • Dijon mustard

Equipment

pangrater

Tips

  • Use Gruyere over cheddar for more meltiness.
  • Chiffonade American cheese.
  • Mix cream cheese with a small portion of the sauce first to avoid lumps.
  • Add Dijon mustard for balance.
  • Add sauce to pasta first, then bring it together.
  • Over moisten pasta before baking as it will thicken in the oven.
  • Dice extra Gruyere for a perfect cheese pull.