Day 100 (6.19.12): Baked Mac 'n Cheese with Graham Cracker Crumb Crust

Baked Mac 'n Cheese with Graham Cracker Crumb Crust (homemade)

In an essay, you're supposed to write the most exciting thing first--essentially, what makes your paper such a stellar shining standout from all the other papers--to hook your audience in. The first thing you'll encounter with this baked mac 'n cheese recipe is exactly that: the sweet stuff on top or, to be more specific...graham cracker crumbs!

Using graham cracker crumbs instead of the traditional seasoned bread or cracker crumbs gives this comfort food a delightful twist, and really brings out the flavor of an otherwise rather mild dish. I'm personally of the opinion that anything can be made sweet and still taste phenomenal (or even better!), so I wasn't hesitant at all about making this ingredient swap. If you're feeling wary about it, though, I would recommend making a small serving first (maybe in a muffin tin) and seeing how you like it before you bake an entire batch. My roommate and I both have sweet tooths, but you don't have to have one to enjoy this pleasant change of pace with a traditional favorite that you can bring to a potluck. Then, all you have to do is sit back and watch the delighted surprise on the guests' faces as they try their first bite!

Baked Mac 'n Cheese with Graham Cracker Crumb Crust

Serving: 1 small or medium casserole dish

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1/2 teaspoon mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup milk
• 1.5 - 2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar is best, but Mexican or other similar varieties will work fine)
• 3 - 4 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs (or about 1.5 sheets)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bring lightly salted pot of water to a boil. Cook macaroni for 7-8 minutes, or until al dente. Drain, pat dry, and set aside.
2. To make cheese sauce, melt butter in a sauce pan over medium heat. Stir in flour, mustard, and pepper until smooth. Add milk; stir constantly until mixture is heated through and smooth. 
3. Add cheese; stir constantly until sauce is completely smooth, adding more cheese to taste. Turn off heat and add drained pasta to the mixture. Toss until mixture is completely coated in sauce.
4. Transfer pasta to a lightly greased casserole dish. Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs over macaroni. 
5. Bake macaroni in preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until sauce is bubbly and top is relatively firm. Serve immediately.