Balthazar Macaroni Gratin Aka Macaroni And Cheese Recipes

MACARONI GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190 degrees C.
• In a large pot, bring 2 liters of water to a boil with a bit of salt and add the pasta.
• Cook for 8 minutes.
• Drain by lifting it out of the water and immediately coat with the olive oil.
• Meanwhile, take a broad oven proof dish-- wide enough to comfortably fit two layers of pasta.
• If it is too small the pasta will be too deep and only a small portion of it will be"au gratin".
• Rub the inside of the dish hard with the clove of garlic, cut in half.
• In a bowl, mix the pasta with the cream and cheese.
• Season with salt and pepper and pour into the ovenproof dish.
• Dot the surface with butter and put into the preheated oven for 10-15 minutes.
• When it is done you should have a wonderful golden gratin.
• If you want more colour, you can pop the gratin under the grill for a minute or so.

POTATO AND MACARONI GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Butter 8 x 8 x 2-inch baking dish.
• Cook potato in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 10 minutes.
• Using slotted spoon, transfer potato to large bowl.
• Add macaroni to same pot of boiling water; cook until just tender but still firm to bite.
• Drain macaroni.
• Add to bowl with potato.
• Meanwhile, melt 2 tablespoons butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add sliced onions and sauteé until tender and brown, stirring often, about 15 minutes.
• Add onions, cream, milk and cheese to potato mixture and mix well.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Transfer to prepared dish.
• Bake until heated through and cheese melts, about 20 minutes.
• Let cool 5 minutes; serve hot.

MACARONI AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat broiler. In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring 2 quarts water and kosher salt to a boil. Add macaroni and return water to a boil; cook until barely al dente, about 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, stir the grated Grana Padano, Jarlsberg, and Cheddar cheeses to combine. Set aside. Taste a macaroni for doneness: it should be chewy yet firm. Strain macaroni in a colander and set aside.
• Add heavy cream and a pinch of sea salt to an oven-safe skillet; turn heat to medium-high and bring to a simmer. When cream is simmering, fold in the macaroni. Continue to simmer to reduce and thicken, about 1½-2 minutes. Stir in ¼ of the cheese mixture to combine with noodles. Turn off the heat and stir in another ¼ of the cheese. Place remaining cheese over the top in an even layer (do not stir).
• Set rack in the oven about 4 inches from the broiler. Place skillet under the broiler until cheese melts and caramelizes into a golden brown crust, 3-5 minutes (keeping an eye on it so it doesn't burn). Remove gratin from oven and let rest 5 minutes before serving.