Mac, Cheese, and the Laundromat

Cats are finicky creatures.  Have you ever done something stupid like save a few dollars buying a different brand of cat litter, only to end up having your cat pee all over your bed?  Yeah, that was me cursing my stupidity as I recently bundled myself and my comforter down to the Laundromat.  I brought my new Christmas present along with me, a copy of Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa Family Style Cookbook, and a notepad in order to make my grocery list.  During the wash cycle, I was busy setting the week's menu and making my list, and when I popped the comforter in the dryer, I knew I had just enough time to make it to the grocery store and back before it was done.  Did I end up saving money with the new cat litter?  Unfortunately, I think by the time the laundry was done, I finished $10.00 in the hole.  Why must I learn the hard way?  The good news is that now our cat is finally using the litter box again, and I made a yummy macaroni and cheese with tomatoes inspired by my trip to the laundromat.  Nice kitty...

Macaroni and Cheese inspired by Ina Garten Barefoot Contessa Family Style Cookbook

Ingredients:

Salt

Vegetable oil

1 lb. elbow macaroni

1 qt. 1% milk

8 Tbls. (one stick--that's right baby) unsalted butter, divided into 8 pieces

1/2 c. all purpose flour

6 c. grated cheese (I mixed 2 c. mozzarella, 2 c. medium cheddar, and 2 c. Swiss)

1/2 tsp. black pepper

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

four small Roma tomatoes, sliced

1 1/2 c. white bread crumbs

Directions:

1.  Pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees

2.  Bring a large pot of salted water to boil, drizzle in a little vegetable oil, and add your macaroni.  Cook until al dente (about 6 minutes).  Drain and set aside.

3.  Meanwhile, heat the milk in a saucepan but do not boil it.  Melt 8 Tbls. butter in a large pot and add the flour.  Cook over low heat for 2 minutes stirring continuously with a whisk.  While whisking, add the hot milk a little at a time, whisking well between each addition.

4.  Off of the heat, add the grated cheeses, 1 Tbls. salt, the pepper, and the nutmeg.  Stir gently, wait 2 minutes and stir gently again.   Add the hot, cooked macaroni and stir well.  Pour mixture into a 3 quart baking dish.

5.  Arrange the sliced tomatoes on top of the dish.  Sprinkle the bread crumbs on top.  Bake for 30-35 minutes until the sauce is bubbly and the macaroni is browned on top.