Friday, July 5, 2013

FUSION FRIDAY: Portuguese Macaroni and Cheese

This idea of Fusion Friday seriously has the creative juices flowing.  
What's everyone's favorite comfort food?  About 85% of the country would answer Macaroni and Cheese!  So why not take it, and twist it just a little bit.  PORTUGUESE STYLE of course!
This was seriously amazing.  The cheese with the hint of mustard made it taste like it was made with Quejio Sao Jorge.  The next time I make it, I will be using the Quejio Sao Jorge instead of the 4oz of American and the mustard.   I also will add  bread crumbs and throw it in the oven for a bit to make it all crunchy on top :)

Portuguese Macaroni and Cheese

1 pkg of elbow macaroni
2 links of chourico-We love Mello's as you already know, because it's just so lean! (about 1-1 1/2lbs)
1/4 cup of butter
1/3 cup of flour
2 1/2 cups cream (or milk if you want to lighten it up)
4 oz. American Cheese-shredded
8 oz. of Extra Sharp white cheddar-shredded
1 tablespoon of dijon mustard
1 teaspoon of kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon of hot sauce
2 teaspoons of pimenta moida

1. Cover macaroni to directions on box, once done reserve about 1/2 cup of water for sauce
2. Cut your chourico into slices and then cut into quarters, giving you little triangles
3.  Melt the butter on med-low heat.  Once melted add in the flour and whisk until smooth.  Let it cook for a minute or two to break up the starches. 
4.  Whisk in cream slowly.  Continue to whisk until smooth.  Add in dijon mustard, hot sauce, salt, and pimenta moida and whisk.
5. Add in cheese and continue to stir until completely melted.  
6.  Add in chourico and let it simmer on low for about 5-7 minutes.
7.  Add cheese sauce to macaroni and combine completely.  If your sauce is too thick, add in some of your reserved water until the sauce is the consistency you'd like.
8.  Once completely mixed, put into a 9x13 pyrex and serve!

2 comments:

  1. For the "1/4 of butter" and "1/3 of flour" is that cups, tablespoons, etc..?

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    1. Oh my goodness, i was so excited typing it out that i forgot to put the words in!! cups for both....just fixed it, thank you :)

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