Tag Archives: Macaroni

Restaurant, Travel

Macs, Wisconsin Dells, WI

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Macs, 208 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells WI 53965

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Imagine macaroni and cheese made with real Wisconsin cheeses.  Yep, that is pretty much all you need to know about Macs.  My mouth is watering just thinking about this place.

It is like a fast food macaroni and cheese restaurant.  You walk up to the counter, order the type of macaroni you want and size, and they bring it to your table.

It comes in a skillet and the top is slightly crusted.  The small was the perfect size for me, but I can imagine taking down the larger size.  I literally was away from this place for all of two hours before I had a craving for it.

Macs May 15 2016 178

I went with the Jalapeno Popper Mac which is basically a jalapeno popper in macaroni and cheese form.  Delicious, seriously, I was in heaven.  The loaded baked potato mac only comes in the larger size.  I wasn’t daring enough to eat that much food.

If you are anywhere near this place check it out.  It is just the most amazing macaroni and cheese you will ever taste.

 

Cooking, Main courses

Macaroni to Die For

Macaroni to Die For – with stinky cheese

Honestly the first time I tried this I wasn’t thrilled.  About two weeks later I found myself craving it.

Gather the following ingredients:
2 Packages of mushrooms
Olive Oil
Salt and Pepper
1/2 lb of bacon
4 tablespoons of butter
1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup of grated Gruyere cheese
1/2 cup of grated fontina cheese (amazing cheese, yum)
4 ounces of goat cheese
1 1/2 pounds of capativa macaroni – 1 large box
1/4 cup flour
2 cups whole milk
1/2 cup of half-and-half
2 eggs
4 ounces Gorgonzola cheese (stinky cheese)

Macaroni to Die for Ingredients

Baking sheet
Large pan
Medium pot
Large pot
Large bowl
Small mixing bowl
Large glass pan

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Spread the mushrooms onto the cooking sheet and drizzle with the olive oil.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Cook for 20 – 25 minutes and set them aside.

Preparing the Mushrooms

Start the water boiling for the macaroni.

Cut half a pound of bacon into one inch strips.  I cut it still in the package and then make sure I remove any packaging on the bacon.  Separate the pieces of bacon and place them into the large pan.  Cook over a medium heat for 10 minutes.  Stir often.  Set aside.

Cooking the Bacon

You may need to grate the Gruyere and fontina cheeses.  Thin slices work as well.  It just needs to melt quickly.  Melt 4 ounces of butter in the medium pot over a medium heat.

Cook the macaroni according to the package.  Drain when done and place into a large bowl.

While that is cooking and when the butter is melted add the 1/4 cup of flour to the butter.  Whisk the flour into the butter and cook for one minute.  Pour in the 2 cups of whole milk.  Whisk constantly and cook for 3 minutes, until it is bubbly.  Do not let it boil over.

Add the 1/2 cup of half-and-half.

Beat the 2 eggs and then ladle some of the hot milk mixture into the eggs to temper them and make sure they do not cook when you add them to the rest.  Pour the eggs into the milk mixture.  Stir.

Add the Parmesan, Gruyere, fontina, and goat cheese to the butter.  Stir until the cheeses are melted.  Pour the cheese mixture over the macaroni.

Pour half of the macaroni and cheese mixture into the glass pan.  Spread it evenly.  Add half of the mushrooms next.  Now add 2 ounces of Gorgonzola cheese.  Top with half of the bacon.

Repeat all of the ingredients in a second layer.

Bake for 22 minutes at the same 400 degrees or less.  When it is done it should be hot and bubbly.

Video Link

Cooking, Side dishes

Macaroni, Cheese, Corn Casserole

Macaroni, Cheese, and Corn Casserole – Sticks to the Ribs

This make a really great side dish. It is simple, but takes a while to bake.

Gather the following ingredients:

1 cup uncooked macaroni
1 can sweet corn nibblets with liquid
1 can cream corn
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (1 stick) of butter

9×9 glass pan
aluminum foil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Mix the macaroni, both corns, and the cheddar cheese in the glass pan. Add the butter to the top.
– Do not drain the corn you need the liquid to help cook the macaroni.
– Cut the butter into 9 tabs the place them evenly in the pan
– If you forget and add 2 cups of cheese it’s ok. It might even be better.

Prepared Mac 'n Cheese with Corn

Cover the pan with foil and cook for 30 minutes.

Remove the foil and cook for another 30 minutes.

This is a good side dish. I also like to put it over mashed potatoes.