Mini-macs--

[heavy hedonist]

Aren't these cute? The wrong season for me to get to try them, but still...

http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/t...eese-mini-macs

Three Cheese Mini-Macs, from F&W mag. Recipe by Grace Parisi


Ingredients

1/2 pound elbow macaroni
1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for brushing
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3/4 cup milk
4 ounces cheddar cheese, shredded (1 packed cup)
4 ounces deli-sliced American cheese, chopped
1 large egg yolk
1/4 teaspoon smoked Spanish paprika


1. Preheat the oven to 425°. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water, cook the macaroni until al dente, about 5 minutes. Drain, shaking off the excess water.

2. Brush four 12-cup, nonstick mini muffin tins with butter. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the Parmigiano; tap out the excess.

3. In a large saucepan, melt the 1 1/2 tablespoons of butter. Whisk in the flour over moderate heat for 2 minutes. Whisk in the milk and cook, whisking, until boiling, about 5 minutes. Add the cheddar and American cheeses and whisk until melted. Off the heat, whisk in the egg yolk and paprika. Fold in the macaroni.

4. Spoon slightly rounded tablespoons of the macaroni into the prepared muffin cups, packing them gently. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmigiano on top.

5. Bake the mini macs in the upper and middle thirds of the oven for about 10 minutes, until golden and sizzling. Let cool for 5 minutes. Using a small spoon, carefully loosen the mini macs, transfer to a platter and serve.

Make Ahead The recipe can be prepared through Step 4 and refrigerated overnight.

Suggested Pairing

Plummy, full-bodied Merlot.

From Best Holiday Hors D’oeuvres, Pairing of the Day: March 2008, Best Recipes of 2007: Starters and Hors d’Oeuvres, Cocktail Party Planning Tactics
Published December 2007

[bobhaas]

Those actually do look like the prefect snack. Maybe just add some bacon in there...

[Canice]

It's a foggy 60° and breezy here - definitely a good day for mac 'n' cheese! Bet these would just fly off the table at any event. Thanks for sharing!

[margeslp]

I saved this recipe a while ago. I think we all have children that adore mac and cheese and this looks like a fun variation.

[heavy hedonist]

It's a foggy 60° and breezy here - definitely a good day for mac 'n' cheese! Bet these would just fly off the table at any event. Thanks for sharing!

you're welcome!

I saved this recipe a while ago. I think we all have children that adore mac and cheese and this looks like a fun variation.

All the extra crustiness is such a plus.

[Suzan25]

I think my grandkids would like these. Thanks!

[catbatty]

Oh Yum! Gotta do it. Maybe ww macaroni would make them health food? I'll try it. And maybe mix in just a wee bit of chopped green chilies (love those with mac n cheese). (P-haps a bit of wheat germ sprinkled on top would add some crunch and help reduce some of my guilty-pleasure.)
Thanks for pointing us to them. Seems a perfect thing to make right now!!!

Catbatty Brenda

[margeslp]

I think my grandkids would like these. Thanks!

My "kids" are in their 30s; I think it is a ageless recipe. I am thinking of taking this to the family reunion. Should be easy to reheat.

[SusanMac]

They're so cute! But did anyone else cringe at the American cheese? I think you could really play with the different cheeses to have some interesting variations. I'm thinking goat would be fantastic, or some pepper jack! and I love the idea of sprinkling the wheat germ on top!

[margeslp]

They're so cute! But did anyone else cringe at the American cheese? I think you could really play with the different cheeses to have some interesting variations. I'm thinking goat would be fantastic, or some pepper jack! and I love the idea of sprinkling the wheat germ on top!

I didn't cringe but I was entertaining a 4-cheese combo drizzled with pesto I've used for mac and cheese based on the Uno 4-cheese pizza:

1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, shredded
½ cup Romano cheese
½ cup crumbled feta cheese
1 cup Muenster cheese

[Canice]

They're so cute! But did anyone else cringe at the American cheese? I think you could really play with the different cheeses to have some interesting variations. I'm thinking goat would be fantastic, or some pepper jack! and I love the idea of sprinkling the wheat germ on top!

I didn't cringe, but it did jump out at me. A lot of people swear by American cheese in mac 'n' cheese (presumably for the texture?). I've never used it but would be willing to try the recipe as-written. Ultimately, you'd just make whatever recipe you usually do, no, and bake in the mini muffin pans?

[JMM74]

I just made these last night! Except I used an older Food and Wine recipe, which is basically mac n cheese with horseradish and worestershire. Just tiny. Love them! Great for freezig.

[heavy hedonist]

I didn't cringe, but it did jump out at me. A lot of people swear by American cheese in mac 'n' cheese (presumably for the texture?). I've never used it but would be willing to try the recipe as-written. Ultimately, you'd just make whatever recipe you usually do, no, and bake in the mini muffin pans?

As long as it's not too saucy, I imagine so.

[Canice]

Ah yes, I suppose it would be less forgiving in that respect - good point!