Green Mac and Cheese
June 12, 2009

























Green Mac and Cheese
- The Green Sauce
- 3 Big Handfuls Arugula
- 3 Big Handfuls Spinach
- 10 Basil Leaves
- 2 Sprigs Marjoram
- 2 Sprigs Oregano
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
- Salt and Pepper
- The Cheese Sauce
- 1/4 Cup Olive Oil
- 1 Tablespoon Truffle Oil Optional
- 1 Small Onion Diced
- 1 Stalk Broccoli Only the stalk part
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 3 Tablespoons Flour
- 4 Cups Warm Milk
- 2 Pounds Cheese Provolone, Jack, Manchego, and Cheddar - equal parts
- The Rest
- 1 Pound Pasta
- Sausage
- The top parts of that broccoli from earlier
Instructions
- Put the green sauce ingredients in a blender with about a quarter cup of olive oil, and some salt and pepper. Blend until smooth. A food processor would be easier.
- olive oil in pan, truffle oil then add 1 small onion diced and 1 stalk of broccoli diced into pan and salt, pepper and cayenne. Cook 10 minutes. Add garlic diced, Cook 1 minute. Add flour, Mix well and cook 5 minutes until flour is not raw and gains some color but not too brown. Whisk in 4 cups warm milk. Mix well and bring to a light simmer. Remove from heat and allow to cool for 5 minutes. Slowly add in three quarters of your cheese, whisking until smooth. leaving the rest for the top. Add another optional tablespoon of truffle oil. Taste. If you need more salt, pepper, or truffle, feel free to add. The truffle is to personal preference and I like it subtle but definitely noticeable.
- The Rest Put your green sauce in the baking dish and add cooked, (undercooked) pasta - 1 pound. Add the cheese sauce to this and mix everything well. Add the broccoli and optional sausage. This doesn't need meat at all, but I am guessing most of my friends will want to add some. I would just like to suggest not using chicken because I think chicken ruins mac and cheese. The chunks tend to dry out in the baking. If you do want to use poultry however, maybe shred up some chicken thighs, or used ground chicken or turkey that you brown in a pan first. Otherwise, ground beef or sausage is nice, but don't overdo it. Now that it is all mixed, put the rest of the cheese on top, followed by the breadcrumbs and a sprinkle of parmesan. Bake at 350 for 25 minutes followed by a few minutes under a broiler (with close attention so as not to burn it.) Let it sit 7 minutes before serving.