Smack Yo' Mama Mac & Cheese

*** FEEL FREE TO CUT THIS RECIPE IN HALF ***

Ingredients:

1 lb box elbow macaroni cooked

Blond Roux (White Sauce)

1 stick butter

3/4 cup all-purpose flour

Cheese Sauce

6 cups milk

1/2 cup blond roux (made in advance)

1 tablespoon vegetable oil

1 cup diced onion (about 1 large onion)

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon plus one teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

5 cups white cheddar cheese

2 cups grated Parmesan cheese (reserve 1 cup for topping)

1 cup fresh bread crumbs

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Cook macaroni according to package directions. Drain, rinse with cold water and set aside.

Blond roux:

Melt 1 stick of butter in small saucepan. Add 3/4 cup of flour. Blend well. Cook while stirring constantly, about 3-5 minutes, until flour and butter are well blended and start to dry slightly. Reserve for cheese sauce.

Cheese sauce:

In a large saucepan, bring milk to simmer over medium heat. Whisk in 1/2 cup of the roux. Continue to whisk over heat until smooth and sauce begins to thicken, about 10 minutes. Saute diced onion in oil over medium heat until soft. Add onion to roux. Next add Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Whisk to incorporate all ingredients. Begin to add cheddar cheese, gradually, in small amounts. Whisk constantly to help dissolve. Add remaining cheddar and 1 cup of Parmesan. Whisk until smooth.

Mix cheese sauce with cooked macaroni. Place in a large buttered oven-proof dish. Top with breadcrumbs and remaining 1 cup of Parmesan cheese.

Bake for about 10 minutes or until hot. To brown, place under the broiler until top is evenly browned; watch carefully.

Double Scallop Potatoes

Ingredients:

8 ounces cubed smoked ham
1/2 cup diced green onions
1 can condensed cream of potato (or condensed cheese soup)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
4 large unpeeled potatoes (about 2 pounds)
1/2 cup seasoned croutons

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Cube ham and slice green onions. Crush croutons in a sandwich bag.

2. Combine ham, onions, soup, cream, salt and pepper in large bowl.

3. Thinly slice potatoes. Fold into soup mixture.

4. Pour soup mixture into baking dish and cover with foil.

5. Bake for 50 minutes. Remove and sprinkle crushed croutons over potatoes.

6. Return to oven and bake uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until potatoes are tender.