America’s Comfort Food
Macaroni and Cheese is one of America’s top comfort foods. The definition of comfort food is food that provides consolation or a feeling of well-being, typically any with a high sugar or other carbohydrate content and associated with childhood or home cooking. According to a poll on Takeout.com macaroni and cheese was the number five comfort food. Treadmillreviews.net also did a comfort food poll based on gender and according to the women polled macaroni and cheese was the number two comfort food and number five on men’s list. Macaroni and cheese is one of those dishes that seem to always put a smile on everyone’s face.
In my family there are people who make specific dishes for every gathering because that is what they make exceptionally well. We never swap people out it’s always the same. My sister, Lavina, makes the best potato salad so that’s what we count on her to bring. My sister, Tina, makes green beans that are so delicious you will want to slap the person sitting next to you and my baby sister, Micky, makes sweet potatoes just like my mom used to so we rely on her to them. I always make macaroni and cheese because not only do they love my recipe, but it is the one dish that is typically the first to get eaten up that’s just how delicious it is.
If you have been looking for a new macaroni and cheese recipe or if you are used to making boxed mac and cheese, why not try mine? Here’s a quick list of the ingredients.
Macaroni & Cheese
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (plus a little more for the topping)
2 eggs
2 cups of elbow macaroni
1/4 stick of butter
2 cups evaporated milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 or two dashes of chili sauce (yes, you read that correctly)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Butter a 9 x 13 baking dish and set it aside.
Prepare the macaroni according to package instructions until just chewy (also called al dente). Unless there are dietary restrictions, add one or two teaspoons of salt to the water. It will give the macaroni a bit more flavor. Stir the macaroni to prevent sticking.
Drain the macaroni and put it in a bowl.
Gently stir in 2/3 of the butter, cheese, milk, salt, pepper and the chili sauce.
Beat the eggs in a small bowl then add them to the mix.
Gently fold it all together.
Pour into your prepared baking dish. Dot the top of the macaroni and cheese mixture with the remaining butter.
Sprinkle about 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese over the top, pop it in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes or until the top is a golden brown.
Let it cool about 15 minutes then enjoy!
