Mac n Cheese - my style

Well, the name itself suggests that this Mac n Cheese is nothing like its original,  but I've kept the basic recipe intact and given it my touch. This could be an indianised version..as i dont like pasta dishes which are too creamy or smooth..i like a little crunch in it..hence the onions and capsicums.

Even with the bread crumb topping, when I use the regular or flavored bread crumbs from the market, they kind of become too crunchy, when the dish starts cooling down..or sometimes..it just burns on the top..so i like using small pieces of fresh bread..butter them a little..and cover the top..it gives a really lovely crunchy coating..without that charcoal burnt taste or smell.

This recipe was basically made for one of my husband's cousin sis, who loves dishes made in white sauce. Had some cheese and macaroni shells at home..so decided to invite her over and have some "oh so heavy !" fun..:)

You might realise by the end of this note, that I have just 1 lame heart shaped baking bowl. With an electric oven..its difficult to find appropriate shaped baking bowls which fit in well...and it scares me to use my glass cookware in this primitve oven. Hence the repetition..but who cares about the shape and size when there is goeey goodness in it..!

Serves: 5 - 6 people
Level: Medium

Ingredients:
2 cups elbow macaroni, cooked as per packet instructions
5 tblsp butter
3 bread slices, finely plucked - discard the sides
2 small onions, roughly chopped
1 medium capsicum, roughly chopped
4 tblsp all purpose flour/maida
3 cups milk
1 tsp mustard powder/mustard sauce
1.5 tsp black pepper powder
50 gms grated cheese

Method:
Step 1 - Get the macaroni ready as per the instructions on the packet. Keep aside.

Step 2 - In a heavy bottomed pan, take 1 tblsp butter, when it melts, turn off gas immediately. Pour in the bread pieces and coat them well. Keep aside.

Step 3- In the same pan, on a low flame, add the remaining 4 tblsp butter. When the butter melts, add in the onions and capsicum. You dont have to cook them completely. Just get them slightly soft. Stir in the all purpose flour slowly and stir well. Dont let it change color. Immediately add in the milk slowly and stir continuously. Dont let any lumps form in there. When the sauce starts getting slighly thick, i.e. it starts slightly coating the spoon you are stirring it with, add in the salt, mustard powder and pepper powder. Mix well and remove from heat. Stir in the cheese and mix till its all melted in there.

Step 4 - Add in the macaroni and mix quickly.

Step 5 - Pour in a baking dish and press it all down evenly. Sprinkle the buttered bread crumbs on top. Pop in a pre-heated oven at 200 deg C. for 20 mins or till the crumbs on top start browning and the white sauce starts bowling.

Serve hot and gooeeyyy!

You can use the cheese, pepper powder and mustard powder as per your taste preferences.
You can also add in some chilly flakes if you like..

You need to adjust the salt and heat, before the sauce starts to thicken.

I personally prefer this with some ketchup or hot sauce, as I dont quite enjoy creamy dishes, but others hogged it just as it is!

Hope you enjoy making this Goeey Goddess!