Classic Mac-and-Cheese

For our family Christmas gathering, my partner and I made an amazing macaroni and cheese.  Everyone had rave reviews about it.  Apparently Puerto Rican-Americans like Macaroni and Cheese.  Most went for second helpings (those who weren't watching their figures, of course.)  I found the recipe on-line on a food blog and was very pleased with it.  The blogger who posted it, sourced her "1946 edition of "Fannie Farmer's Boston Cooking School Cookbook". It was excellent!  The only change I made was to use a four-cheese shredded mix instead of a mild cheddar.  The four-cheese mix came with Muenster, Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar and Monterrey Jack Cheese.  Below find my several modifications of the original recipe.  Please leave your feedback, we hope your family enjoys it as much as ours did, Buen Provecho (enjoy your meal or Bon appetit!) 

Serving size: 8


Ingredients needed:

2 (16 ounce) package macaroni

8 Tablespoons of butter

8 Tablespoons of flour

2 Cups of Milk

2 Cups of Cream

1 Teaspoon of Salt

Fresh Group Black Pepper to Taste

1/2 cup of peas for color (optional)

4 Cups of Mixed Cheese (Muenster, Cheddar, Sharp Cheddar and Monterrey Jack Cheese) shredded.  You can find it in the dairy isle of your grocery store.  Be sure to buy the high quality brand of mixed four cheese, it makes a BIG difference.

1 Cup of Breadcrumbs, buttered with approx. 1/2 stick of salted butter.  Combine in a bowl until meshed together.

Directions:

1. 1
   Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. 2
   Cook and drain macaroni according to package directions; set aside.
3. 3
   In a large saucepan melt butter.
4. 4
   Add flour mixed with salt and pepper, using a whisk to stir until well blended.
5. 5
   Pour milk and cream in gradually; stirring constantly.
6. 6
   Bring to boiling point and boil 2 minutes (stirring constantly).
7. 7
   Reduce heat and cook (stirring constantly) 10 minutes.
8. 8
   Add shredded cheeses little by little while mixing and simmer an additional 5 minutes, or until all cheese melts. (Don't be concerned when you see the oil rise to the top, it's naturally and will be used well when baking the dish.)
9. 9
   Turn off flame.
10. 10
    Add macaroni to the same saucepan (with the cheeses) and toss to coat with the cheese sauce.
11. 11
    Pour the macaroni and cheese into to a buttered baking dish.
12. 12
    Sprinkle with breadcrumbs.
13. 13
    Bake 20 minutes or until the top is your desired golden brown.

Original Source: http://www.food.com/recipe/fannie-farmers-classic-baked-macaroni-and-cheese-135350#ixzz1hmg2VDrG