DMK Burger Bar: Aged Cheddar Baked Mac And Cheese

A gourmet version of the cheesy side that nobody ever gets sick of.

Ingredients:
16 oz Rotini Pasta
2 qt of milk
1 cup White Roux (see Recipe Below)
1tsp minced garlic
1 ½ cups heavy cream
¼ lb butter
1/8 tsp cayenne
1 tbsp salt
½ tbsp pepper
2 cups grated yellow cheddar
2 cups grated white cheddar
8 oz of flour
2 sticks of butter
1 cup bread crumbs
½ cup grated parmesan cheese

Steps:
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Cook rotini pasta and set aside.
3. Slowly melt butter in a pan.
4. Once the butter is warm and soft slowly add flour and stir with a wooden spoon. Cook just until flour is incorporated and “floury” taste is no longer apparent. Set aside.
5. Heat milk to almost boiling, stirring constantly to avoid scorching.
6. Add roux until sauce consistency has been achieved. (DO NOT OVERTHICKEN THE SAUCE. The cheese will thicken it more once added.) Simmer for 6 to 8 minutes to ensure roux has been fully bonded with the milk.
7. Add garlic. Whisk in 2 cups of cheese at a time. Taste for flavor and add more if needed.
Add salt, pepper, cayenne pepper
8. Finish with heavy cream and butter. Taste for seasoning and adjust. Add more cheese if necessary.
9. Combine sauce with pasta and place in casserole dish.
10. Mix together bread crumbs and parmesan cheese and spread evenly over pasta.
11. Bake in oven for 30-minutes, or until crumbs are golden and pasta is bubbly.

DMK Burger Bar, 2094 North Sheffield Avenue (at Wellington Avenue); 773-360-8686.

Photo: Courtesy of DMK Burger Bar