Robin Kourys Grilled Mac N Cheese Recipes

MIZUNA LOBSTER MAC N' CHEESE

Steps:

• For the lobster:
• Separate the tails and claws from the lobster and place the claws in a heat proof container large enough to cover completely with water, do the same with the tails. Bring a large pot of salted water up to a boil and pour over the tails and claws, let the tails sit for 6 minutes and the claws for 8 minutes, remove and plunge into an ice bath. When the lobster parts are cool, remove the meat from the shell. Keep the meat refrigerated and save the shells for the lobster oil.
• For the beurre blanc:
• Place white wine, vinegar, peppercorns, and shallots in a nonreactive pan and reduce down until au sec (almost dry), add the heavy cream and reduce down by 2/3 and drop in butter slowly, whisking constantly. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and hold warm till ready to use.
• For the pasta:
• Bring large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the elbow pasta for 1 minute less than the package indicates. Drain and cool and hold until ready for use.
• For the lobster oil:
• Take the bodies from the lobster and place in a pot with 2 cups of vegetable oil and bring up to very hot almost frying and let sit for 10 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon paprika and let sit for 30 minutes and strain through a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter.
• In a large saute pan, melt the butter and add the chilled lobster, when the lobster begins to warm add the mascarpone cheese and allow to melt, stirring constantly. Add the macaroni and just warm through and pour in enough of the Beurre Blanc to make it saucy. Season with salt and white pepper, to taste, and serve with chervil garnish and lobster oil.

EM'S MAC N' CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Butter a 2-quart baking dish with 1 tablespoon of the butter and set aside.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook until al dente, about 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and rinse under cold running water. Drain well.
• Melt the remaining 5 tablespoons butter in a heavy 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour, and stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, cook over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, being careful not to let the flour brown. Using a whisk, add the milk in a steady stream and cook, whisking constantly, until thick and smooth, 4 minutes. Remove from the heat. Add the salt, pepper, cayenne, and 2 cups of the cheese, and stir well. Add the noodles and stir well. Pour into the prepared dish.
• In a mixing bowl, combine the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese with the bread crumbs and Essence. Sprinkle evenly over the macaroni and bake until golden brown and bubbly, about 25 minutes.
• Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William Morrow, 1993.

MAC N CHEESE STUDY

Steps:

• Grate all the cheeses and keep separated. Zest 2/3 lemon into goat gouda. Add smoked paprika and salt and pepper and blend.
• Bring shrimp stock or water to a boil. Add strozzapreti and tubetti pastas. Bring water back to a boil and cook about 6 to 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Peel fresh artichokes down to heart, removing choke. Boil artichokes to a soft-firm (about 20 minutes). Roast your artichoke hearts with lemon juice, salt, pepper, garlic, bay leaves and a splash of olive oil for 15 minutes in a preheated 350 degrees F oven. Chop artichokes into 1 1/2-inch chunks and set aside.
• Rough chop and saute your pancetta in pan until just crispy on outside- do not overcook.
• For the sauce:
• Start by melting the butter. Then add a tablespoon all purpose flour and whisk together to create a roux. Add cream, then garlic granules, Spanish paprika, salt, red pepper flakes, cayenne, Italian seasoning and the juice of 1/2 lemon. Add your cheeses 1 at a time: first the melted Pata Cabra goat cheese, then your Humboldt fog and goat cheeses. Reserve 2 ounces of the Haystack for final garnish. Fold in egg whites. Blend until all cheese is melted. Add pancetta and artichokes. Now add your cooked pasta to mixture, making sure all the pasta is coated.
• You can cook for just a bit longer. Add salt, to taste, as needed. Place into small bowls and garnish with remaining goat cheese. Sprinkle sugar onto the cheese and brulee with a kitchen torch. Garnish with chives and serve.

GRILLED MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook elbow macaroni in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Set up an outdoor grill for indirect cooking over medium heat. For charcoal, use coals on one side of the grill. For gas, shut off one side of the grill.
• Place an 8-quart cast iron Dutch oven over the hot side of the grill. Add bacon; cook and stir until it renders its fat, but doesn't crisp up, 5 to 7 minutes. Add onions and garlic; move the Dutch oven so only about half of the pot is over the heat. Cook and stir until onions start to become translucent, about 5 minutes. Pour in milk and cook until hot, but not simmering. Melt in cream cheese.
• Stir in about a handful of Cheddar cheese at a time until 3 cups have been melted into the mixture. Move the Dutch oven to the cooler side of the grill. Stir in cooked macaroni. Crumble the cheese crackers over the top. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup Cheddar cheese.
• Close the lid of the grill and let cook until bubbly and reduced, about 40 minutes, rotating the Dutch oven every 5 minutes or so to keep from burning. Remove from heat and serve.