On the way to work yesterday, JiT gave me a heads up that he’d be home pretty late from work…like 9pm late. Bleh. Between the prospect of a very long Monday, some very gloomy Chicago weather and the even more dismal Wallstreet situation yesterday, I decided he might be in need of a serious comfort-food intervention when he (finally) arrived home last night. So I pulled out all the stops:
– Wild mushroom/truffle mac & cheese, baked in individual ramekins
– Panko, parmesean and truffle-crusted baked cod (promise to share this one soon)
– Baby squash with bacon (sautee some bacon, add squash and a tsp water, cover, cook, done)
Oh….party poopers…just stop counting the calories and play along please.
The mac & cheese is based off of my all-time, absolute favorite dish in the world, served at Smith & Wollensky. I stumbled across their recipe online once and have since made a few modifications, and though its incredible as-is, its also very, very expensive to make if you’re using real truffles, plus their version is too rich even for me. My version is slightly less calorie laden (I said slightly), and quite a bit easier to make (not to mention cheaper).
Wild Mushroom & Truffle Mac & Cheese
4 medium-large ramekins (or a square baking dish)
1 small onion, shredded on a cheese grater
1 small clove garlic, chopped or crushed
1 Tbs. butter
1/3 cup white wine
1 small chicken boullion cube
1/4 cup flour
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 1/2 cups milk (I used 1%, and kind of eyeballed it but 1.5 c seems about right)
A few shakes of black pepper
1 cup assorted mushrooms, finely chopped (I used a mix of oyster and button)
1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 cup pepper jack cheese, grated
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
½ lbs. rotini pasta (about 1/2 a box), cooked al dente (I used whole-grain)
Topping:
1 cup Japanese bread crumbs (panko)
¼ cup parmesan cheese
Drissle of truffle oil (about a 1/2 teaspoon?)
Salt & Pepper (to taste)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over medium heat, add the onion and garlic and cook until translucent. Add the white wine, crumble in the chicken boullion cube and reduce by half. Add in the flour and stir until absorbed. Add in heavy cream, black pepper, and milk, stirring continually to ensure the flour gets distributed evenly. Bring to simmer stirring occassionally for about 10 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken. Stir in the mushrooms and simmer a few minutes more. Turn off the heat and add in the cheeses. Stir until the cheeses are melted and evenly incorporated. Combine the mixture with cooked pasta and adjust seasonings with salt and pepper as needed. Divide the pasta evenly into greased ramekins or a 9×9 baking dish.
For the topping, combine all ingredients in a resealable plastic baggie, seal and mix well. Spread the topping over each dish and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until the topping is golden brown. Serve immediately and try not to cry with joy.
Note for Chicago-area bloggers: Event on Thursday 10/2
While we’re on the topic of cheese, I wanted to mention an event taking place this Thursday from 7 – 9 p.m. at the historic Washburne Culinary Institute – 740 West 63rd, Chicago, IL 60621. The event is being hosted by 3-A-Day of Dairy, a program sponsored by America’s dairy farmers, and is free-of charge. It will be a good opportunity to meet other local bloggers, taste some yummy dairy foods, see culinary demostrations and maybe win some prizes. I’m planning to attend and would love to meet some of my fellow Chi-bloggers. If you’re interested in attending, let me know!
FULL DISCLOSURE: This event is being organized by my employers on behalf of 3-A-Day, and up until recently, I worked on the account. That said, I really believe in the program and it should be a very fun event. I know I’ve certainly never been one to turn down free cheese and prizes!
Whats on my iPod: Simon & Garfunkel’s Are you Going to Scarborough Fair? Seems oddly appropriate.
That truffle mac and cheese looks divine! Next time the fiance is going to be late, I say call the girlfriends over. :-)And if only we didn’t have a meeting with the rabbi on Thursday followed by the much-anticipated VP debate. Otherwise, I’d definitely go to that event!
That truffle mac and cheese looks divine! Next time the fiance is going to be late, I say call the girlfriends over. :-)And if only we didn’t have a meeting with the rabbi on Thursday followed by the much-anticipated VP debate. Otherwise, I’d definitely go to that event!
Funny, I am listening to a Simon and Garfunkel cd right now. I saw little ramakin things (atleast I am assuming thats what they were) in a kitchen store a month or so ago but didn’t get them, because like most of the stuff in the store I didn’t know what to do with them. Perhaps now I will have to back and buy them! 🙂 Chi-town bloggers have all the good meetups!
Funny, I am listening to a Simon and Garfunkel cd right now. I saw little ramakin things (atleast I am assuming thats what they were) in a kitchen store a month or so ago but didn’t get them, because like most of the stuff in the store I didn’t know what to do with them. Perhaps now I will have to back and buy them! 🙂 Chi-town bloggers have all the good meetups!
I’m craving in a SERIOUS way right now. YUM!!!! And I’m so excited for the event…as a milk, yogurt and cheese FIEND!
I’m craving in a SERIOUS way right now. YUM!!!! And I’m so excited for the event…as a milk, yogurt and cheese FIEND!
My husband never gets anything so luxurious when he has to work late! It all sounds incredible! I love making things in individual ramekins…
My husband never gets anything so luxurious when he has to work late! It all sounds incredible! I love making things in individual ramekins…
Do you watch Top Chef? I went to Dave’s restaurant a couple of months ago and had his truffle mac and cheese. It was heaven!!Cheese is my world!
Do you watch Top Chef? I went to Dave’s restaurant a couple of months ago and had his truffle mac and cheese. It was heaven!!Cheese is my world!
This looks delicious! Hope your fiance appreciates you~
This looks delicious! Hope your fiance appreciates you~
Oh my … what a dream. Matter-of-fact, I am looking for a mac and cheese to serve at an upcoming baby shower. I think this is it!Great meeting you too!
Oh my … what a dream. Matter-of-fact, I am looking for a mac and cheese to serve at an upcoming baby shower. I think this is it!Great meeting you too!
hey, there's a S&W in my neighborhood. Will make a point to try it out there and come home knowing that I can replicate it with your recipe 🙂
hey, there's a S&W in my neighborhood. Will make a point to try it out there and come home knowing that I can replicate it with your recipe 🙂