136.2…Lobster Mac and Cheese

Last night I made magic happen in my parent’s kitchen.

Lobster Mac and Cheese. Magical.

I can’t imagine anything better on a cold night. If you need some magic in your life, make this.

Lobster Mac and Cheese (Serves 6-8)

Recipe courtesy Barefoot Contessa

Ingredients:

• Kosher salt
• Vegetable oil
• 1 pound cavatappi or elbow macaroni
• 1 quart milk
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, divided
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 12 ounces Gruyere cheese, grated (4 cups)
• 8 ounces extra-sharp Cheddar, grated (2 cups)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 1/2 pounds cooked lobster meat
• 1 1/2 cups fresh white bread crumbs (5 slices, crusts removed)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375.

Drizzle oil into a large pot of boiling salted water. Add the pasta and cook al dente according to the directions on the package. Drain well.

Meanwhile, heat the milk in a small saucepan, but don't boil it. In a large pot, melt 6 tablespoons of butter and add the flour. Cook over low heat for 2 minutes, stirring with a whisk. Still whisking, add the hot milk and cook for a minute or two more, until thickened and smooth. Off the heat, add the Gruyere, Cheddar, 1 tablespoon salt, the pepper, and nutmeg. Add the cooked macaroni and lobster and stir well. Place the mixture in 6 to 8 individual gratin dishes or a large baking dish.

Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, combine them with the fresh bread crumbs, and sprinkle on the top. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on the top.

Printable Recipe

*Note: I used lump crab because I couldn’t find lobster. I enjoyed the crab but would have LOVED it with lobster!

If that wasn’t decadent enough, I enjoyed a slice of lemon cake afterwards. :)

Since I broke my foot, it takes me longer to get dressed in the morning, so as usual, I was running late this morning. I ate my breakfast in the car on the way to San Diego.

Toasted English muffin with peanut butter.

Lunch was a turkey and cheddar cheese sandwich.

I went to an event at the kids’ school, picked them up and then we all went for flu shots. I took them to McDonald’s afterwards for dinner and now we are finally home. I plan on heating up some mac and cheese and calling it a night!

What was the last recipe you made that really wowed you?

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