Quintessential mac 'n' cheese

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Ingredients

  • For the pasta:

  • 5 cloves chopped garlic, plus 3 cloves whole garlic
  • 3 bay leaves
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika, plus more to taste
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 3 L water, boiling
  • 450g dry elbow macaroni
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • Olive oil to taste

  • For the cheese sauce:

  • 450g aged sharp Cheddar
  • 100g white cheddar
  • 85g Asiago
  • 85g Pecorino
  • 85g Gorgonzola
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 3 tbsp plain flour
  • 600ml double cream
  • 80g creme fraiche
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 lemon, juiced, 1/2 lemon zested
  • 2 tsp finely ground sea salt
  • 2 tsp ground black pepper
  • 3 organic eggs, beaten

  • For the pesto:

  • 240ml olive oil
  • 1 lemon, zested
  • 55g basil leaves
  • 55g raw pine nuts
  • 30g feta cheese
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

  • For the cream sauce

  • 240ml double cream
  • 80g creme fraiche
  • 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp dry mustard
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • French bread, cut diagonally
  • Unsalted butter, as needed

Use imperial measurements

Method

How to make Quintessential mac 'n' cheese

For the pasta:
1) Prepare the pasta stock by adding the garlic, bay leaves, salt, pepper, paprika and smoked paprika to the water in a large saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer for 15 minutes.

2) Remove from the heat, strain the stock and return the liquid to the pan. Bring to the boil and add the macaroni, Cook until al dente then strain the pasta and toss with dry mustard, salt, pepper and olive oil to taste.

For the cheese sauce:
1) Preheat the oven to 180C/Gas 4. Grate the cheddar cheeses together and the Asiago and Pecorino together, keeping them separate. Crumble the Gorgonzola cheese.

2) Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the plain flour through a fine-mesh sieve, stirring to combine. Remove from the heat and add the cream and creme fraiche, then add the dry mustard, Dijon mustard, paprika, smoked paprika, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper and mix well. Add the Gorgonzola and cheddar cheeses to the sauce, then return the pan to a low heat.

3) Add the pasta and the egg to the cheese sauce, and combine well. Top with the grated Asiago and Pecorino mix. Put the mixture in individual heatproof dishes and bake until bubbly golden brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.

For the pesto:
1) Blend the olive oil, lemon zest, basil, pine nuts, feta, salt and pepper in a blender or food processor to make basil pesto. Spread on the toasties.

For the cream sauce:
1) In a small saucepan, combine the double cream, creme fraiche, Dijon mustard, dry mustard, paprika, salt and pepper.

2) Cook on a medium heat until the flavours meld and the sauce reduces. Spread on the toasties.

To serve:

1) Cut the bread diagonally into 8 thick slices. Season with salt, pepper and butter. Put in oven to toast.

2) Remove the toasties and drizzle with basil pesto and cream sauce. Serve immediately with the macaroni cheese.

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