Macaroni And Fontina Cheese From The Dean And Deluca Cookbook Recipes

MACARONI AND FONTINA CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425.
• Heat the olive oil in a large non stick skillet over moderate heat and stir in the onion.
• Add the garlic and cook stirring for 1 minute.
• Raise the heat slightly and add the bell peppers.
• Cook stirring for 2 minutes.
• Add the zucchini and yellow squash and cook stirring for 2 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted water for 4 minutes.
• Drain and rinse with cold water.
• Heat the butter in a medium saucepan over moderate heat until it becomes a medium nutty brown.
• Stir in the flour, rosemary, sage and bay leaf.
• Cook, stirring constantly for 2 minutes.
• Slowly add the milk and cook stirring 4-5 minutes or until the sauce is very thick.
• Strain the sauce and season with salt and pepper.
• Return the pasta to the same large pot and stir in the sauce.
• Add the vegetables and 1 cup of the grated fontina cheese and blend completely.
• Place the mixture in a deep glass baking dish.
• Sprinkle with the remaining fontina cheese.
• Bake for 20 minutes, until the pasta is brown and crusty on top.

PANCETTA, GRUYERE, PARMESAN AND FONTINA MAC & CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with kosher salt. Add the shells and cook 2 minutes less than the package directions. You want the pasta to be al dente. Drain, then set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Add the olive oil and pancetta into a large heavy-bottomed pot and turn on the heat to low. Cook the pancetta to slowly render the fat, stirring occasionally, until the pancetta is crispy and most of the fat has rendered out, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the pancetta with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Reserve the pancetta fat. Add the onions and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 5 minutes. Add the butter and stir to melt. Add the flour and whisk to create a roux with the pancetta fat and butter. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Add in the milk, Dijon mustard and hot sauce and whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil, then reduce immediately to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened. Add the fontina cheese, Gruyere and 1 cup of the Parmesan. Stir to combine with a rubber spatula until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the cooked shells and crispy pancetta and stir to combine. If the mixture is too thick for your liking, you can add a little more milk. Season to taste with kosher salt.
• Transfer the mac and cheese into individual ramekins or a large baking dish. Top evenly with the panko and remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan and place into the oven until the breadcrumbs are browned, about 5 minutes.