Mac “Chili” and Cheese
Ingredients
· 1 package dried macaroni
For the sauce:
· 1/3 cup butter either salted/unsalted is fine
· 1/4 cup all purpose flour
· 3 cups milk whole milk works best
· 1 bay leaf
· 1 Tbsp Maani’s Ch Tandoori Spice Blend
· Salt and Black pepper to taste
· 1 cup of mature cheddar grated
· 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese, grated
· 1 cup of low moisture mozzarella grated
For the seasoning mix:
· 2 tbsp olive oil
· 1 onion sliced
· 4 cloves garlic minced
· 4 red chillies sliced. I used a combination of 2 bird’s eye chillies and 2 medium-heat larger chillies
· 15 pickled jalapeno slices finely chopped
· 1 tsp dried oregano
For the breadcrumb topping:
· 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs or any breadcrumbs of preference
· 2 tbsp butter melted
· 1 tsp dried oregano
· ¼ tsp chili flakes
· 1 tbsp of fresh basil or parsley, finely chopped
· 2 cloves garlic finely grated
· 1/2 tsp salt
· Black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
For the sauce:
1. First melt the butter in a saucepan under a medium heat. Avoid using a non-stick pan if you’re using a metal whisk
2. Next add the flour to the butter and whisk together to form a roux. This will be a thickened paste
3. Add a quarter of the milk to the roux and whisk until it forms a smooth and thick paste
4. Gradually add the rest of the milk slowly, Swap between a whisk and a spatula routinely to ensure no lumps
5. Once all the milk has been added in, add in the Maani’s Tandoori Spice Blend and a bay leaf, continue to whisk for 5-10 minutes or until the sauce has thickened
6. Then turn the heat off and add the grated cheeses, and a healthy amount of freshly cracked black pepper. Mix till it forms a smooth, creamy, and cheesy sauce. You’ll notice we haven’t added any salt as the cheeses can be salty at this stage taste the sauce to see if you require any salt and add it in
For the seasoning mix:
1. Start by sautéing the onion, garlic, red chilli, and dried oregano in olive oil. This will take around 10 minutes. To brown. Add a pinch of salt while the mixture cooks
2. Then add the mixture to the mac and chilli cheese sauce, along with the pickled jalapenos
3. Mix it all together and that’s the final Mac and Chilli Cheese sauce!
to assemble:
1. I boiled the macaroni around 2-3 minutes short of the packaging time. This is because it will continue to cook in the oven
2. Next mix the drained pasta with the chilli cheese sauce, and then pop this into the baking tray
3. In a separate pan mix together the panko breadcrumbs, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, chili flakes, garlic, parsley and melted butter. Mix together till evenly mixed
4. Then Layer the breadcrumbs all over the mac and cheese
5. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and enjoy