Adult Macaroni and Cheese

My husband has decided that he wants to learn some good comfort food recipes. First he made Chicken Pot Pie with Biscuits then he announced his next initiative would be macaroni and cheese...for adults. The smile on my son's face turned into a frown, but I noticed his eyebrows rise when he tasted it. He was pleasantly surprised and soon went after a second helping. Further proof that not everything adult is less than tasty. This is a very basic recipe that can be made gluten-free by substituting brown rice noodles.



Adult Macaroni and Cheese
Serves 6 as a side dish
Adapted from Bon Appetit

3 Tblsp salt
1 lb elbow macaroni (or another kind of shaped pasta)
1 Tblsp olive oil
1 stick of butter, cut into 8 tablespoon-sized pieces
2 tsp ground black pepper
1 cup whole milk
5 oz Parmesan cheese, grated

Add salt to a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Drop in the pasta and stir to separate the noodles. Add the olive oil to ensure that they don't stick. Stir occasionally and set a timer for the cooking time recommended on the package.

While the pasta cooks, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a heavy pot, such as a Dutch oven, over medium heat and add the black pepper. Stir until the butter foams and the pepper is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the milk and stir, lowering the heat to a simmer. Add the next 6 pieces of butter, one at a time, stirring after each addition and letting each piece melt before adding the next. Cover and turn off the heat.

When the pasta is cooked to al dente perfection, drain it and reserve 2 cups of the pasta water. Add the pasta to the milk mixture and stir to coat evenly. Turn the heat on to medium and add 1/3 of the Parmesan. Stir vigorously and add 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Add another portion of Parmesan with another 1/2 cup of pasta water. Add the last of the Parmesan and some more pasta water, if needed. Only add enough water to create a fluid sauce. The sauce will thicken as it cools.

Taste and add more salt, if needed. Serve warm.