Where can you find phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin, niacin, protein, vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and calcium all at once? In a glass of milk! Every serving of dairy products gives you these nine essential nutrients, which is why you should enjoy three dairy servings every single day! Milk helps your digestive system, growth of your bones and teeth, maintain healthy blood pressure and much, much more! It is nature’s most nearly perfect drink and is delicious too. This month, October, is Cheese Month, so be sure to celebrate with one of 400 different varieties of cheese. A great way to enjoy cheese is in the recipe below from Hawks Hill Creamery! Have a great Cheese Month!
SMOKED BACON CHEDDAR MACARONI AND CHEESE
Ingredients
- Salt
- 2 cups elbow macaroni
- 1 12 ounce can evaporated milk
- 2/3 cup milk (2% is fine)
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- ½ lb. Hawks Hill Creamery Smoked Bacon Cheddar, grated
- Freshly ground black pepper
Topping ingredients
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- ¾ cup Panko bread crumbs
Directions
Bring 2 ½ quarts of water to a boil. Add salt and pasta. Cook until al dente, approximately 6 minutes. Drain in a colander and immediately pour into a large rimmed baking sheet to cool.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the oven rack in the middle position.
Combine the evaporated milk and ½ cup of the milk in a 2 quart Pyrex measuring cup or microwave safe bowl. Microwave until hot and steamy. (You can also do this in a large saucepan over low heat.)
Melt the 2 tablespoons of butter in a Dutch oven over medium heat.
Add the remaining milk and cornstarch; whisk.
Add all of the hot milk and continue to whisk until hot and bubbly, about 3-4 minutes.
Whisk in the mustard and cayenne pepper. Remove the pan from the heat and whisk in 2 cups of the Hawks Hill Smoked Bacon Cheddar until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
Stir in the cooked pasta and season to taste with salt and pepper.
Turn the pasta into a 13×9 baking dish.
Make the topping by melting the 3 tablespoons of butter. Mix the melted butter and bread crumbs in a small bowl until the bread crumbs are coated.
Top the pasta with the remaining cheese.
Top with the bread crumbs. Bake until hot and bubbly, approximately 20-30 minutes. Allow the dish to cool at least 5 minutes before serving.
Makes 12 servings
Alternate Maryland Dairy Princess, Elizabeth Galbreath