Four Cheese and Kale Macaroni with an Almond Crumb
Ingredients
Serves 4
- For the macaroni cheese
- 300g/10½oz dried macaroni
- 40g/1¾oz butter
- 40g/1¾oz plain flour
- 500ml/18fl oz milk
- 100g/3½oz blue cheese, preferably mild gorgonzola, grated or finely diced
- 150g/5½oz cheddar, grated
- ½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg, or to taste
- 100g blanched kale
- 100g/3½oz mozzarella, diced
- 75g/3oz fresh breadcrumbs
- 25g/1oz freshly grated Italian hard cheese
- 20g flaked almonds
- Handful fresh chives, roughly chopped, to serve
How To Make
- For the macaroni cheese, preheat the oven 200°C.
- Cook the macaroni in a large saucepan of salted, boiling water according to the packet instructions.
- Meanwhile, in a separate saucepan, heat the butter until melted, then whisk in the flour until smooth and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until pale golden-brown.
- Whisk in the milk a little at a time, waiting until the mixture has thickened after each addition before adding more and whisking continually.
- After all of the milk has been added to the mixture, you should have a smooth sauce with the consistency of double cream.
- Add all of the blue cheese, and 100g/3½oz of the cheddar to the sauce and heat gently, stirring all the time, until it has melted. Season, to taste, with salt, freshly ground black pepper and nutmeg.
- Drain the cooked pasta and tip it into the pan containing the cheese sauce. Roughly chop the drained blanched kale and then add.
- Stir well to coat the pasta and kale. Set aside.
- In a small food processor add the breadcrumbs, and flaked almonds and blend for 10 seconds
- Transfer the macaroni cheese to a large ovenproof dish and first top with the chopped mozzarella, and then add breadcrumb mix, cheddar and Italian hard cheese.
- Place into hot oven for 5-10 minutes, or until the topping is golden-brown and bubbling finish with a sprinkle of chives, leave to rest for 2mins and serve
