Mac and Cheese

[ecodork]

DH made homemade mac and cheese for dinner tonight. He put in some smoke mozzarella, which was divine! What other things do you add to your mac and cheese to make it more exciting?

[diablita]

yum!  I'll be watching this thread.

[merigayle]

check out america's test kitchen recipe.

[witchypoo]

i will occasionally add
-minced onion and chicken bouillon to the bechamel w/havarti and swiss
-hot mustard w/sharp cheddar
-garlic, oregano, rosemary, basil w/parmesan, mozz, and monterey jack
-buffalo sauce to the bechamel, w/monterey jack (and then toss with cooked, cubed chicken prior to baking)

[OldBaldHippie]

I did notice that a lot of recipes call for some mustard powder...that always puzzled me, but I guess it adds a little tanginess?

[radial]

I did notice that a lot of recipes call for some mustard powder...that always puzzled me, but I guess it adds a little tanginess?

Mustard is good.  I think mac and cheese needs a little extra zip to rise above the junk you make right out of a box.  It's pretty bland without something sharper to cut the starchy fatty flavor.  One of the local restaurants here makes a version with truffles and bacon and it's really good.  Personally, I like to add a touch of jalapeno. 

[moroccangirl]

Hot dogs!! Just kidding.

[cgraz]

Hot dogs!! Just kidding.

I would not be kidding at all!

[Yogi]

Lobster :drooling:

[monster2]

bacon and onions and chipotle pepper in adobo.

[MikoftheWat]

http://www.thefoodinmybeard.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-search.cgi?blog_id=1&tag=Mac%20and%20Cheese&limit=20

[triciaflower]

hatch chilies.
jalapenos.
cayenne.

Not all at once.