Memories of late aunt lead to comforting mac ‘n’ cheese dish
Though true recipe gone, personal touches ‘bangin’
DEBORAH LEE WALKER n Contributing Writer
(March 12, 2010) Recollections of my great aunt Ann will forever be with me, as I look back on the times that cousin Gail and I spent vacations in Newport News, Va.
Aunt Ann’s petite frame hardly peaked over 5 feet, but she carried power and authority.
The year is 1968. At the age of 10, I had mastered adulthood. Nothing was so firmly believed and yet so far from the truth.
I never experienced a Slurpee until I went to Newport News. I had been warned never to go to 7-Eleven without Gail because crossing the highway could be dangerous. “Oh well, I’ll slip out and no one will notice I’m gone.”
Coke was my favorite flavor and I indulged myself. But to my horror, I saw Gail running toward me.
“Mom has been looking for you and she is furious. You better prepare yourself for a spanking. I’m going to run ahead to let her know you are alright.”
My frozen delight started to choke me. Panic overtook me and I felt my adulthood shrink.
Billy the goat was their family pet and I was scared to death of him. I can’t tell you how many times his forehead kissed my rear. I was convinced
he was possessed and
resented my presence.
I faced one simple decision: should I endure a spanking from Aunt Ann or hide in Billy the goat’s house?
My tomboyish ways kicked in and, ducking behind bushes, I proceeded to take a different route.
I have never prayed so much in all my life. Billy the goat just stared at me. If he attacked me and killed me, no one would ever think to look for my body in his house. Mom and dad would not be able to give me a proper burial. I just kept repeating, “God help me, please, God, help me.” Little did I know how many times that simple phrase would be repeated throughout my life.
An hour seemed like an eternity. God does work in mysterious ways. My uncle peeked in the house and whispered, “I had a sneaky feeling you were hiding in here. You know your aunt has been worried sick about you. Why don’t you come in and apologize to her.”
I left the residence of Billy the goat and sobbed at the sight of my aunt. To my surprise, she sobbed, too.
Aunt Ann is no longer with us. Everyone agreed she made the best mac ‘n’ cheese ever. Unfortunately, she took the recipe with her.
Childhood memories and personal touches have landed a mac ‘n’ cheese that is “banging.” Gruyere cheese adds richness and sophistication. Reduced heavy cream creates a smooth, velvety sauce. Crisp chopped bacon and Panko breadcrumbs top the casserole with crunchy delights.
Aunt Ann, you are dearly missed. Yes, mac ‘n’ cheese is a real comfort food.
MAC ‘N’ CHEESE
1 pound penne
3 shallots, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
4 strips thick sliced bacon, reserving
1 tablespoon drippings
2 tablespoons flour
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
2 cups milk
2 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely
chopped
1 tablespoon Herbs de Province
10 ounces cheddar cheese, grated
6 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/4 cup Panko breadcrumbs
1. Cook bacon until crispy in a large sauté pan. Finely chop and set side.
2. In the same pan, sauté shallots, garlic, thyme, nutmeg, parsley and Herbs de Province for 7 minutes over medium heat in 1 tablespoon of bacon drippings.
3. In the meantime, cook pasta until it is al dente. Drain and cool with cold water. Otherwise the pasta will continue to cook, which will result in overcooked penne.
4. Add flour and butter to shallot, garlic mixture. Cook for 3 minutes.
5. Add milk and cream and reduce slightly. Constantly whisk mixture.
6. Add cheese and blend thoroughly.
7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. If one has the option of a convection oven, choose the convection oven setting.
8. Mix chopped bacon, plain and Panko breadcrumbs.
9. Add pasta to a 9-inch by 13-inch pan. Pour cheese mixture over pasta. Mix thoroughly. Sprinkle bacon and breadcrumb mixture evenly over mac ‘n’ cheese.
10. Place casserole dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake uncovered for 22 minutes. Broil for 2 minutes or until a crisp, golden brown crust forms.
11. Allow to rest 5 minutes before serving.
SECRET INGREDIENT: Contentment. “Who is wise? He that learns from everyone. Who is powerful? He that governs his passions. Who is rich? He who is content. Who is that? Nobody” … Benjamin Franklin
