Horn & Hardart's Macaroni and Cheese
Categories: Pasta/Rice/Noodles, Vegetarian
Contributed by: LizNJ
This mac and cheese is to die for!
Courtesy of Arthur Schwartz, blurb too.
Serves 2 or 3
Horn & Hardart was a Philadephia and New York restaurant chain that
also had stores specializing in take-out. With the TV and radio
advertising motto "Less work for mother," they actually pioneered the
concept of prepared foods to eat at home. The restaurants were called
Automats because, besides a cafeteria line, they featured food behind
tiny glass windows that was accessed by putting a few nickels in the
slots. The last Automat -- on Third Ave. and 42nd St. -- closed only
about 10 years ago. It's now a GAP. But New Yorkers and Philadephians
old enough to have experienced Horn & Hardart have deep nostalgia
for many of its specialties. The mac and cheese is probably prime among
them.
1 1/2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
11/2 cups milk
2 tablespoons light cream (see note)
1 packed cup shredded cheddar cheese (I use extra sharp white)
1/4 cup crushed tomatoes (I used Pomi, you can use any canned product)
1/2 teaspoon sugar
Dash cayenne pepper (I used several dashes)
Dash white pepper
salt** (see below)
1/2 pound small elbow macaroni, cooked until barely done
1. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat, blend in flour
and cook about 2 minutes.
2. Beat in the milk, then the cream and cook over medium heat, stirring
constantly, until the mixture comes to the boil and thickens. Remove
from heat.
3. Stir in the cheese until melted, then the crushed tomatoes, sugar
and two peppers.
4. Stir in the macaroni.
5. Pour into a shallow, buttered baking dish and bake in a preheated
400-degree oven until the surface browns, 25 to 30 minutes.
NOTE: This recipe must have been broken down from one that made an
enormous quantity, which explains the small amount of light cream. If
you don't want to purchase a half-pint container of light cream just
for two tablespoons, simply add two tablespoons more milk. You'll never
know the difference. **I also think it needs a little salt, which is
not called for in the recipe.
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