811
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[-] TheAlbatross 60 points 1 year ago

Bechemel dammit your Mac and cheese needs to start with a bechemel

[-] grue@lemmy.world 19 points 1 year ago

It's possible to have a good mac and cheese without bechamel (e.g. by using Velveeta instead), but those two pictured ain't it.

[-] TheAlbatross 21 points 1 year ago

I don't think you're wrong, but if we're talking about winning the right for the Thanksgiving meal, you know I'm using at least 3 kinds of cheese and some of that is gonna be Velveeta. But some ain't, so, bechemel.

I'm open to debate on the breadcrumb topping, but, personally, I'm partial to it.

[-] southsamurai@sh.itjust.works 17 points 1 year ago

Usually, processed cheeses have enough extra sodium citrate (or other emulsifier) to help make a smooth melt from anywhere to half the processed cheese weight up to equal weight.

Mind you, there's still the tradition factor. Making the bechemel gives a different taste and texture that citrate. So, even if you decided to just keep the sodium citrate around by itself (it's cheap and easy to get), it won't be the same end result in terms of what people expect of a good, homemade mac n cheese.

I'm okay with bread crumb topping, but I prefer a good shredded cheese across the top so that it gets a little crust to it by the end of the bake. The topping is usually going to be cheddar, or a cheddar/American mix (not Velveeta, and only an actual cheese American as opposed to fake), with cheddar, Colby, and either swiss or muenster as the preferred inside cheeses. Maybe add some jack or pepper jack for the right crowd. Can even crumble up some bleu in the mix instead/as well.

But the exact cheeses don't matter as much as that base bechemel. As long as it's smooth, the cheese sauce is going to be the right texture.

[-] KnightontheSun@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

And with that you've just won the right to make the mac-n-cheese next Thanksgiving!

[-] southsamurai@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago
[-] Threeme2189@lemm.ee 4 points 1 year ago

No, don't make it sweet please!

[-] southsamurai@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago

Nah, that's for the sweet potato casserole.

[-] TheAlbatross 2 points 1 year ago

Phenomenal post, buddy, thanks a ton for the knowledge.

I'm with ya on the pepper jack, I think some of that is a great addition. If the company permits it, I'll shake things up with some smoked gouda and throw some smoked paprika in the bread crumb topping which I'll then throw under the broiler to get that nice finish on top. Gonna try the shredded cheese topping next time tho, love a good crusty cheese layer.

[-] grue@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago

I’m open to debate on the breadcrumb topping, but, personally, I’m partial to it.

For me, it depends whether the mac and cheese in question is oven-type or stovetop-type.

[-] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 7 points 1 year ago

Fry some panko in garlic butter as a topping when doing high effort as opposed to a simple one for just the wife and I.

I’m partial to the debate on spicy in it

[-] moody@lemmings.world 1 points 1 year ago

Lao gan ma Chili Crisp is a fantastic flavor and texture boost for mac and cheese

[-] thefartographer@lemm.ee 5 points 1 year ago

My last honey Sriracha beer-cheese had about $70 of cheese in it, including a fair amount of 5 year aged cheddar. Made it for New Year's and ate like a goddamn king for a week. Put that shit on everything, including veggie burgers (inside, not outside)

[-] EssentialCoffee@midwest.social 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I prefer panko to traditional breadcrumbs myself.

Edit: Also, why Velveeta instead of just adding some sodium citrate and using all real cheese?

[-] Gork@lemm.ee 18 points 1 year ago

Mmm pasteurized process cheese product with a vaguely cheese-like flavor

It makes a nice fleshlight and you can still use it for the mac and cheese after.

I had no idea it was called Béchamel, lol. I always referred to it all as roux as you really just add more to the base sauce. The more you know...

[-] Nachorella@lemmy.sdf.org 45 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Roux is flour and butter. Bechamel is a roux + milk. Mornay is a bechamel + cheese.

[-] UsernameIsTooLon@lemmy.world 31 points 1 year ago

So you're telling me it's a Macaroni Mornay this entire time?

[-] hydrospanner@lemmy.world 15 points 1 year ago

And a Macaroni Afternoon too!

Macaroni good night. 🚪 🛫

[-] Nachorella@lemmy.sdf.org 5 points 1 year ago

Doesn't quite have the same ring to it, but I think so.

[-] Fashim@lemmy.world 4 points 1 year ago

Bechamel traditionally has a cloute (onion studded with cloves and bay leaves) and nutmeg added to it. But ain't nobody got time for that

[-] captainlezbian@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

Béchamel and roux are different, but only by an ingredient

this post was submitted on 06 Feb 2024
811 points (100.0% liked)

People Twitter

5609 readers
1856 users here now

People tweeting stuff. We allow tweets from anyone.

RULES:

  1. Mark NSFW content.
  2. No doxxing people.
  3. Must be a pic of the tweet or similar. No direct links to the tweet.
  4. No bullying or international politcs
  5. Be excellent to each other.
  6. Provide an archived link to the tweet (or similar) being shown if it's a major figure or a politician.

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS