Surf and Turf, The Anniversary Dinner

This weekend was the 10th Anniversary of my first date with my Boyfriend. As we are not married this is what we consider to be our anniversary. I love cooking for him and he loves eating for me! We have such a good relationship that way..LOL

This year I decided surf and Turf was the order of the day.

Ralph makes the most delicious Steak you can imagine, so I had to think of the most perfect side dish to compliment it! I recently made a wonderful Lobster Mac and Cheese so why not add it to his fantastic steak?!?

I was right! It was GREAT!!

Lobster Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

½ - 1 lb. Pasta Lg. Elbows, or Shells (my favorite)

3-4 tbsp. Flour

Cheese: 2 Cups shredded Sharp White Cheddar

2 Cups Gruyere

4-6 tbsp. Butter

1 (10 oz.) can Lobster Bisque (may use Crab bisque)

Salt and Pepper to taste

2 cooked and chunked Lobster Tails (opt)(may use crab meat)

1 tsp. Nutmeg (opt)

Topping (For Baked version, optional)

Combine:

1 sleeve Ritz crackers (crushed)

4 tbsp. Butter (melted)

3 tbsp. Parmesan Cheese

2 tbsp. Parsley or Tarragon (chopped)

Instructions:

Bring 6 Quarts of liberally salted water, to a boil.

Add Pasta to water and cook to labels directions.

Simmer for 8-9 minutes or until al dente.

In Large Sauce pan:

Melt butter.

Add flour, 1 tsp. salt and ½ tsp. pepper

Whisk until flour and butter have fully combined. (approx. 1 ½ minutes)

Add Bisque. (If using nutmeg, add here)

Bring to boil @ Medium heat.

Whisking constantly, Mixture will thicken quickly.

Once it is thick and bubbly, lower heat to Low and keep whisking until smooth

Add Cheeses.

Remove from heat and stir well, melting cheese and combining to a smooth finish.

Drain Pasta well (you do not want water in the sauce)

Add pasta to sauce. Combine. (If using Lobster meat, add here)

Garnish with Parsley if desired

Serve.

Homemade Mac n Cheese

The other day my friend "Jackie" @ "Syrup and Biscuits", posted on her Facebook page a "Hunt for the Best Mac N Cheese". "She says that she has many recipes for Mac n Cheese but none that are outstanding!" I have to admit, mine is not the "Southern Method" Mac n Cheese. Mine is more a Comfort Food...had it this way for my whole life kinda Mac n Cheese.
The version depends on my delivery method. Do I want it baked and crisp on top or do I want it ooey and gooey?  Do I want it as a side dish or do I want it as a Main Course? I usually opt for the "side dish" version.
My "BF" (hate that term at my age)...but I digress...My BF was a staunch "Kraft" Mac n Cheese guy. He said before he met me, his daughters only knew Boxed Mac n Cheese. (I shutter to think). Now don't get me wrong. I'm not a Mac n Cheese snob...but I don't for the life of me understand why you would make boxed mac n cheese when the real deal is so easy to make and not expensive. The only expense really is the cheese...and even if you use store brand "sliced" processed cheese. (yes darlings...I have it in my fridge too) it's still better than that boxed orange who knows what powder.
Essentially Homemade Mac n Cheese is Butter, Flour, Milk and Cheese. If you'd like to add nutmeg, good for you. Salt and pepper (know your cheese first). Maybe you think it should be baked, then you would need a topping choice. But as a simple comparison of apples to apples, Mac n cheese for mac n cheese...the side dish version is what we're comparing.
My Mac n Cheese is Awesome. My family loves it. It is simple...straightforward and very easy to make. But the comfort food factor is top of the chart!

Homemade Mac n Cheese

Ingredients:

1 lb Pasta (preferably one with a cavity to hold cheese; ie: shells, elbows, penne)

1 stick butter

3 tbsp Flour

2 cups Milk (or half n half)

2 cups shredded or cubed Sharp Cheddar Cheese

May sub Gruyere(yum) or whatever cheese you know melts and you like the flavor of.

Pepper Jack would be awesome too!

1 tsp Nutmeg

Salt & Pepper to taste

Topping:

1 cup crushed Ritz Crackers or Seasoned Bread Crumbs

3 tblsp. melted Butter or Olive Oil

Instructions:

If baking,  Preheat oven to 400°

In Large Pasta Pot bring 3 quarts salted water to boil, add pasta,  cook 8 minutes after water comes back to boil, or until "Al Dente". Drain and replace in warm pot.

In Medium Sauce Pan:  Melt butter.

Add flour to melting butter and combine until thickened. (making a roux)

Add Milk, bring to a boil.

Stir consistently until mixture has thickened.

Once Mixture is thickened add cheese and remove from heat. Continue to stir until cheese is fully melted and thoroughly combined. Add nutmeg and salt and pepper to taste.

If serving as side dish: Pour over "drained" pasta and serve.

If baking : In mixing bowl combine melted butter and Cracker crumbs.

Pour pasta into buttered baking dish. Pour sauce over Pasta. Cover Pasta and sauce with buttered cracker crumbs and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden and bubbling.

Serve.