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Macaroni and cheese

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Macaroni and cheese is a versatile pasta dish featuring macaroni covered in a cheese sauce.

8.28.12CheeseburgerMacByLuigiNovi1
8.28.12CheeseburgerMacByLuigiNovi1

It is widely recognized as a classic comfort food. In the United Kingdom, the dish is often called macaroni cheese. While cheddar is the most common cheese used, many varieties exist. Cooks may use sharp cheeses or combine several types together. Common choices include Gruyère, Parmesan, Gouda, Havarti, and Jarlsberg.

Cicis-Mac&Cheese-Pizza
Cicis-Mac&Cheese-Pizza

The preparation of the dish involves several different methods. One traditional way is to bake it in a casserole dish inside an oven. Another method is to prepare it in a saucepan on top of a stove. Some recipes use a Mornay sauce, which is a white sauce with cheese added. Other versions skip the liquid sauce entirely. Instead, cooks might layer slices of cheese and pasta with butter or evaporated milk. There are even novelty versions, such as deep-fried macaroni and cheese found at food carts or fairs.

Regional variations show how the dish adapts to different cultures. In Scotland, the ingredients are often found inside a macaroni pie. Switzerland has a traditional dish called Älplermagronen, or Alpine herder's macaroni. This version uses macaroni, cream, cheese, and roasted onions. Some recipes also include potatoes, while others in the Canton of Uri omit them. Some regions add bacon or ham to the mix. This Swiss dish is frequently served with a side of apple sauce.

The history of the dish traces back to medieval England. Early versions were cheese and pasta casseroles. In 1769, Elizabeth Raffald published a recipe in her book, *The Experienced English Housekeeper*. She used a bechamel sauce mixed with macaroni and Parmesan cheese. Later, in 1845, Eliza Acton described "Macaroni a la Reine." This recipe required dissolving ten ounces of rich white cheese into three-quarters of a pint of cream. It also included salt, Cayenne pepper, mace, and butter.

In the United States, the dish has interesting historical connections. One theory suggests James Hemings brought the recipe to the country after discovering it in France. This may have been prompted by Thomas Jefferson's interest in extruded pasta. In 1802, Jefferson served a macaroni pie at a state dinner. Another influential recipe appeared in Mary Randolph's 1824 book, *The Virginia House-Wife*. Her recipe used only three ingredients: macaroni, cheese, and butter. By the mid-1880s, recipes for these casseroles reached as far west as Kansas.

Mass production changed how people accessed the meal. As factories began producing the main ingredients, the dish became more affordable. This accessibility caused the dish to lose its status as an upper-class food. In Canada, British immigrants brought the dish from other parts of the British Empire. Early Canadian recipes from 1845 included a puff pastry lining and a sauce of cream, egg yolks, mace, and mustard. Today, packaged mixes like Kraft Dinner are extremely popular in Canada. Canadians purchase nearly 25% of the 7 million boxes of Kraft Dinner sold worldwide each week.

Flickr qmnonic 123431456--Kraft Dinner and veggie dogs
Flickr qmnonic 123431456--Kraft Dinner and veggie dogs

Modern convenience has led to many different ways to buy macaroni and cheese. A salesman named Grant Leslie helped start the trend of boxed mixes. He originally used rubber bands to attach Kraft processed cheese to boxes of pasta. In 1937, Kraft began producing Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. During the Second World War, rationing made these boxes even more popular. You could buy two boxes for one food rationing stamp. Today, the dish is available in many forms, including frozen meals, canned versions, and even microwavable containers. Some brands, such as Stouffer's and Cracker Barrel, are well-known for their prepared versions.

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File:Cicis-Mac&Cheese-Pizza.jpg
Cicis-Mac&Cheese-Pizza.jpg
File:Flickr qmnonic 123431456--Kraft Dinner and veggie dogs.jpg
Flickr qmnonic 123431456--Kraft Dinner...
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