Tags: cheese foodblogger macaroni macncheese recipe
A friend called me and told me she was coming over on Sunday. So the first thing I did was bake a cake and then I gave myself a little challenge. That challenge was, chicken Mac and cheese made with one packet of cheddar cheese slices.
My task was simple, ‘to make the food delicious.’
I’m a strong believer of the power of food, healing, welcoming and engaging possibilities that food holds, it’s a definite catalyst in most bonding experiences, no wonder you feel all warm and excited inside when someone offers you food, so I take cooking for friends and family very seriously.
Now let’s get into it!
Ingredients for the chicken
1 full chicken breast (skinned and cubed)
1 drum stick (skinned and cubed)
1 thigh (skinned and cubed)
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 larger carrot (cut in circles)
1 large onion (diced)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp flour
1 cup of full cream milk
Side note: the breast is the fastest cooking part of a chicken so careful not to over cook the chicken.
Method:
Place pan on stove top over high heat and add oil to the pan. When it gets hot, toss chicken onto the pan and fry lightly,
add onions, frying for 30 seconds to 1 minutes and the add carrots, frying for another 30 seconds to 1 minute.
This part you’ll have to do very quickly!
Toss in flour and stir quickly, then add milk and stir gently and quickly until it’s starts to simmer. You will notice that it thickens very quickly, stir constantly for 2 minutes and then take it off the heat.
Our chicken is ready!
Now our macaroni:
Cook 500 grams of pasta as per instruction on the packet, drain and set aside
The Sauce:
2 tbsp butter
1 tablespoon flour
1 cup milk
6 slices of the cheddar cheese
Method:
In a heavy base sauce pan over medium heat, melt butter.
Add flour stirring quickly and the add milk.
Stir until all the lamps are gone and add cheese.
Mix continuously until cheese is completely melted.
You will have a nice thick sauce. Take it off the heat.
Now to put it all together:
Pre heat your oven to 220 degrees celsius.
Place the drained pasta into the sauce and mix until past is coated evenly.
I used a 9×5 inch casserole pan.
Place half of the pasta into the casserole pan.
Place the chicken next creating an even layer.
Add the remaining past to the top.
Finally add the remaining cheese slices and bake in the oven until the cheese is a light golden brown colour.
This should take 15-20 minutes depending on your oven.
Check it constantly to avoid burning as cheese burn quickly after it has cooked.
Enjoy!
For this dish you can use any of your favourite vegetables, get creative and have fun!
