Wednesday, September 7, 2011

The Search for the Ultimate Mac and Cheese



Welcome to the first month of the Crazy Cooking Challenge hosted by Tina over at Moms Crazy Cooking.  This month's challenge is to find the Ultimate Mac and Cheese recipe that's out there in blogland.

When I make Mac and Cheese I usually make a baked version.  I like the little crunch you get on the top, and the gooeyness inside.  But for this challenge I went with a stovetop version.  I found this recipe for Bacon Mac and Cheese with Gruyere over at Savory Sweet Life.

This recipe could not be any easier.......but I will warn you now that it is in no way a diet-friendly dish! Luckily I made it on a night that we had friends over for dinner, and everyone agreed that it was yummy!!  And it couldn't be easier....just start out with some cream and rosemary......lots of cream (I did warn you already).....reduce by half and then add all the other goodies (grated cheese, cooked macaroni, crumbled bacon, salt and pepper).   Once the cheese is melted, throw into a serving dish and top with chopped chives.


Check out the other bloggers submissions for the Ultimate Mac and Cheese recipe, and vote for your favorite!

Bacon Mac and Cheese With Gruyere
Source: Savory Sweet Life 

1 quart (4 cups) heavy cream
4 tablespoons fresh rosemary, chopped
Salt and cracked black pepper to taste
1/2 pound bacon, diced, fried crisp and drained
1 pound elbow macaroni or short hollow pasta, cooked according to package directions and drained, reserving 3 teaspoons of pasta water
2 cups (8 ounces) Gruyere cheese, grated
Chopped chives for garnish

Place cream in large saucepan with rosemary.  Add salt and pepper.  Bring to a boil and keep at boil until reduced by half (this will take some time).

Stir in bacon and pasta and simmer until hot; add the Gruyere cheese and 3 teaspoons of reserved pasta water.

Stir until the cheese has melted.  Garnish with chopped chives.  Serve immediately.

Enjoy!!

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This post is linked to:
Full Plate Thursday
Turning the Table Thursday
Show Off Your Stuff
I'm Lovin' It
Friday Favorites
Friday Food
Tasty Tuesday
Tuesday Talent Show
These Chicks Cooked
Cast Party Wednesday

13 comments:

  1. I love how you incorporated rosemary in to this. I am such a huge fan of rosemary so I will have to try adding it in this. Looks delicious!

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  2. Oh my gosh! With bacon! Yes, please!!!

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  3. I don't know of any true mac and cheese dish that is diet friendly... but this I would give up the diet for!

    Stopping by from the MACARONI & CHEESE Linky Party through Moms Crazy Cooking

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  4. You had me at bacon or was it gruyere? This looks great Im #32 the Mac n Cheese muffins.

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  5. Looks delicious, rich and wonderful. Love the bacon and Gruyere combo.

    My Crazy Cooking Challenge entry: Velvety Mac & Cheese.

    Lisa~~
    Cook Lisa Cook

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  6. Looks amazing! I love how it's a bit different than the standard mac & cheese recipe.

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  7. Rosemary and Chives, oh my! These look fantastic! What a delicious looking dish.

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  8. Your picture just makes me want some right now!!!
    Thanks for joining us for the first month of CCC, stop by and check out my Mac & Cheese Bites!
    http://momscrazycooking.blogspot.com/2011/09/macaroni-and-cheese-bites-crazy-cooking.html

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  9. Nice! Love the green from the chives and rosemary!

    Check out my mac and cheese post if you'd like :)

    http://steaknpotatoeskindagurl.blogspot.com/2011/09/crazy-cooking-challenge-and-buffalo.html

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  10. Oh my stars! Your Mac and Cheese is the prettiest I've ever seen. Great job.

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  11. This is a great Mac N Cheese, they all look awesome! Hope you are having a great week end and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
    Come back soon!
    Miz Helen

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  12. Dang it! >< It's so hard to decide which one is the "ultimate mac"!! But, even if yours is not voted as it, it gets pretty close to the title. :)

    ___
    International Calls to Australia

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