When you need comfort food and you need it now.
Mac and cheese – everyone has their interpretation. This version streamlines the classics and makes it the easiest one I’ve found.
Jump to our past pairings (with recipes).
Make it fancy by adding in pulled pork or veggies. Or add lobster since lobster mac is a thing now. But this is really all you need.
How It Went
I grew up with the bright mac-and-cheese from a box. I love it, but I wanted to avoid using the box version. Then I found this recipe from J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, and thought I was set for life.
But then I realized I live in a no-milk household, and I never remember to buy evaporated milk. So one day, I just eliminated that. I cooked the water out into the pasta. I added cheese and butter, and I was set. It gives you cheesy creamy goodness – I did not miss the milk. Salt the water (“salty – like the sea” is the quote I know), and off you go. I add ground pepper. OK, I also add ground Sichuan peppercorn because I love it. This adds some texture to go with the creaminess.
Because it’s so quick to make – feel free to dress it up. Make it fancy, use your good china and a tablecloth. It’s an instant upgrade for dinner.
Wine Pairing
I admit, a buttery, oaky chardonnay is not my personal taste. So I avoided chardonnay for a long time. But Washington chardonnay can be bright and dry. It provides a counterpoint to the creaminess with a light acidity and full flavor.
Past Pairings
What Makes a Great Pizza? (plus pair it with rosé)
Relax with Simple Spaghetti and Washington Sangiovese
Comfort Food: Grilled Cheese, Tomato Soup, and a Washington Syrah (but try the alternate version with jalapeno!)
Leftovers Supreme Crunch Wrap and a Washington Petit Verdot
Jambalaya and a Washington Cabernet Sauvignon
Cashew Chicken and a Washington Red Blend
Mushroom Puff Pastry Pizza and Washington Sauvignon Blanc
Cheese and Charcuterie Edition
ICYMI: More ABR Wine and Food Pairings
And don’t worry. We’re spending the rest of our time finalizing everything needed to actually bring you these small production Washington wines. Soon, you can try them along with us.