Mac and cheese is the epitome of comfort food. Adding something a little indulgent like lobster meat can make it that much more special. Simple yet elegant, this dish will leave you feeling happily satisfied.
On a family trip to Boston, Massachusetts, it was one of the best dishes I have ever eaten. I am glad to have tried it out and here is my version to share. I hope you will enjoy making it for your family.
Called Alpermagronen in the Swiss Alps, Cheese Macaroni in the British Isles, Australia, New Zealand, and the Colonies, Macaroni Pie in the Caribbean, it is a comfort food everywhere. It is said that a " version" of this particular dish originated in Napoli, Italy, and is inscribed in one of the earliest cookbooks, "Liber de Coquina," as early as the 14th century. This wonderful cookbook is still preserved in the Paris Library. A quick trip to Paris, anyone?
Legend has it that President Jefferson returned with a pasta machine from his trip to Italy. His daughter, who was the lady of the house, prepared this dish, which is now the famous mac and cheese as we know it, available everywhere world-wide, freshly done in gourmet restaurants, in delis, and in family-style diners. Also available in a box! There is only one ingredient that makes it a cut above the rest, simply depending on the preparation and love put into it!
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| Gourmet Lobster Mac and Cheese! |
1/2 cup salted butter
1/2 cup flour
3 to 4 cups milk
nutmeg to taste
salt to taste
mixed peppercorns to taste
a squeeze of fresh lime or lemon
1 cup of freshly grated assorted strong cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped fresh chives
Optionally 2 tbsp of either of your favourite liquors; rum, vodka, or gin.
1 tsp of prepared mustard
250 g/ 8 oz pasta-choose between elbow macaroni, cavatelli, or conchiglie
2 lobster tails, boiled, picked and cut into square chunks.
Step 1
Clean and prepare the lobster tail. Season it with salt and squeeze the lemon juice over it. Pour the liquor over the lobster meat. (if using) and set it aside.
Step 2
Melt 1/2 cup of salted butter in a pan, add the flour, and make a roux. Stir with a whisk until the butter starts to leave the pieces of roux. This will take 3 minutes.
Add 3 cups of milk. Keep stirring with a whisk. Bring it to a boil once it is completely smooth. Keep the flame of the stove on medium or low. Add all the cheese. Melt by stirring. Stir and see how thick the sauce is. You may need additional milk to bring it to the right consistency. Taste it for seasoning.
Step 3
Prepare the pot to cook the pasta in; 6-8 cups of water, a tsp of olive oil, and 1 tsp of salt. Add all the pasta to a pot of boiling hot water until just done. It may take 3 to 10 minutes, depending on the type of pasta. Read the package instructions. Drain the water immediately.
To assemble
Add the pasta to your prepared sauce, check the consistency, add the herbs, and finally, very gently fold in the lobster meat.
Put it in a baking dish, sprinkle it with bread crumbs and cheese.
Broil the dish for 3 minutes under your grill to see the top golden brown and the cheese will be melting and bubbling!
Tips
Pick a pasta that is small and has some form of a tube, shell. This will "catch" the delicious cheesy sauce in it, giving you a more uniform taste of everything in each bite.
If you have a choice, using fresh pasta makes it that much more special.
Also, an egg noodle is a delicious alternate.
Fresh pasta and egg noodles generally have a shorter cooking time. Do not overcook the pasta as it will get mushy.
Herbs can be interchanged. Tarragon and basil are great alternates for seafood.
Pick a cheddar that has a bold flavour and melts well, Gruyere is my personal favourite. Similarly, hard cheddars like Cornish or Welsh from the UK, or Comte and Beaufort from France, and Jarlsberg from Norway are all perfect choices. Eventually, it will be your taste buds that guide you toward the perfect cheese for your family!
Lobster tails are available ready to eat from most supermarkets and delis. They can be small or large, so aim to get about 1 measure cupful to the brim of the meat itself.
Some markets have facilities to freshly steam them for you.
Fresh crab meat is the best substitute for lobster.
My published cookbooks are available for sale through myself and on Amazon.
The World of Parsi Cooking: Food Across Borders is an award-winning book. It was self-published in July 2019 and will be going into its second print in 2022.
The Art of Parsi Cooking: Reviving an Ancient Cuisine was published in 2016 by Austin Macauley and continues to be available through Amazon Book Depot, Book Depository, and from the publishers.
For more delicious comfort foods click on
Niloufer's Kitchen:French Bistro
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00J2KMB4C
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