OLS 8: Mac and Cheese

Obviously at the pre-cheese stage. You can see some local zucchini, scallions, onions, garlic, and our very own cherry tomatoes. This recipe also features New England butter, Shaw Farm milk, 
Smith's Farmstead Cheddar, and possibly-New-England pepper jack. I haven't found pepper jack that's both properly spicy and labeled with its hometown. Nonlocal guest appearances by flour, pork sausage, macaroni, a red pepper, and some Pennsylvanian mushrooms. (I broke down. We haven't had mushrooms all summer.) Actually, the flour and sausage have been on the premises long enough that you might consider them local, if you were feeling generous. ;)

Oh, and the breadcrumbs are from local bread, too.

This is a family recipe, and it makes a LOT. We can usually get two generous dinners (for two) and lunch out of it.

Family Mac and Cheese

Cook 1 lb macaroni and set aside. Meanwhile, brown in pan:

• 1 lb sausage (we like seasoned pork sausage)
• 1 large chopped onion
• 2-3 minced cloves garlic

When browned, drain on paper towels. Cook in the same pan (in sausage fat), long enough to soften but not to get mushy:

• 1 chopped red pepper
• 1 chopped zucchini
• 1 chopped summer squash
• 6 large chopped mushrooms

(Obviously if you don't like sausage at all, you can cook the veggies in some olive oil.) Dump the cooked noodles, drained sausage, and veggies into a large mixing bowl. Mix it up along with

• chopped tomatoes (I use 1 1/2 cups to 2 cups)
• chopped scallions (as much as you like)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Start warming 1 quart milk in the microwave or on the stove. In a nonstick pan, melt 5 Tbsp butter. Add 5 Tbsp flour and stir gently. This is a roux. When the flour has cooked a little, add milk slowly and keep stirring so that the roux stays smooth. While the roux continues to heat up, add the following:

• salt and pepper to taste
• 1 Tbsp dijon mustard
• 15 oz cubed cheese (we use cheddar, pepper jack, and swiss in varying proportions)

Butter casserole dish (or dishes). When the cheese has melted, mix the sauce into everything else. Pour into buttered casseroles, top with breadcrumbs, and bake until bubbly. The baking time will depend on how deep your casseroles are. I go for at least 20 minutes.