Mac and Cheese Waffles

Yes you read that right.  Just when you didn't think mac and cheese could get any better it does.  Last week we were watching a new show of the Food Channel, Guilty Pleasures.  All the different Food Channel cooks were sharing their guilty pleasure foods. One was these mac and cheese waffles.  As I was watching it I said I think I can make this.  So this week I tried it.  There are a few kinks I need to work out but it worked and I had a few happy campers for dinner that night.  I think I might try it next time with my panini press. You have to try this recipe.

Look at all that crispy, cheesy goodness!

 The first thing you need to decide is what kind of mac and cheese recipe do you want to make.  I made a decadent recipe with white cheddar and Gruyere cheeses.  You could make this with a box mix if you have to.

 We are going to make the roux to start. 1/4 cup butter

 1/4 cup all purpose flour.  Wait about putting the flour in until the butter is melted.  You don't want the heat too high.

 While you are waiting for the butter to melt grate up 1 cup white cheddar and 1 cup Gruyere cheeses to have ready.

 Measure out 1 1/2 cups elbow macaroni.

 Okay the butter is melted pretty good.

 Add the flour.

 Whisk until smooth.  You don't want it to turn brown.

 Now add 1 cup milk.  I had 2 % but if you want it really rich us whole milk.

 1/2 cup half and half.

 Whisk until it starts to get thick.  Don't have the heat on too high.

 Now add the cheeses.

 Whisk until they are good and melted.

 Then add 1 teaspoon salt

 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

 1/8 teaspoon cayenne.  I heaped it a little.

 The macaroni has been cooking during this.  So drain it but don't rinse it.

 Now add the mac to the cheese mixture.

 Stir well.  Now that is good enough to eat right there.

 So this is the part I made up.  I lined a cookie sheet with foil just for easier clean up.

 I spread the mac and cheese on the sheet.  I tried to make it even. I let it cool.  I even put it in the freezer for a little bit.  I don't think I needed to do that.

 When you are ready to waffle it, pour some panko into a flat pan.

 I added some parmesan cheese to the panko.  Mix well.

 I used a round cookie cutter to cut out the mac.  I then put it into the panko mixture.  The panko didn't want to stick to the top so I just piled it on top.   The bottom it would stick to it.

 Get your waffle iron hot, and ready

 Have some ready to go.

 I placed the round in the middle of the iron.  I did spray the waffle iron with a little Pam.  And of course I need to peak to see how it was coming.

 This was the first one.

They weren't the prettiest thing I have ever made but the crusty cheese in all the little squares was great.

Mac and Cheese Recipe

1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 cup milk
1/2 cup half and half
1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
1 cup Gruyere cheese
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Cherry Dark Chocolate Scones

It's cherry season and folks and I love cherries.  The fresh cherries seem to be really good this season.  I hope I am not wrong about that.  So get out your cherry pitter and buy some fresh cherries today.  Try this recipe or one of the others that I have made in the past. 

These are great for breakfast or afternoon tea.  You know that afternoon tea is really just that 3:00 pick-me-up.

I have already pitted my cherries. Use some kind of good dark chocolate.  You could use dark chocolate chips if you have that on hand.

Start with 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

Pinch of salt

1/4 cup sugar

1 stick of very cold butter, cut into pieces.  Having it cut makes it easier to cut into the flour.

Using a pastry cutter or two forks cut the butter into the flour mixture.  You could use the food processor if you like.

It's all cut in.

3/4 cups chopped dark cherries and 3/4 cup chopped dark chocolate.

Add the cherries

And chocolate

Stir them so that they become coated with the flour.

1/2 cup heavy cream

1/2 cup French Vanilla coffee creamer

The recipe suggested that  you wrap the dough and put in the freezer for 30-45 minutes. This lets the butter get firm again and you get these nice pockets of butter in the dough.

Then roll out the dough on a lightly floured counter. Cut out with a cutter, or make the dough into more of a circle and cut in traditional scone fashion.

I cut mine with a cutter.  Place in a preheated 400 oven for 20 minutes.

Now to mix up a little glaze for the top.

3/4 cup powdered sugar (I didn't measure)

3 Tablespoons French Vanilla creamer

Whisk

Don't they look so good?  Let them cool for a little bit.

Then drizzle the tops with the glaze.  If you like a lot of glaze then glop it on if not use a spoon and just drizzle.

Cherry Dark Chocolate Scones Recipe

2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 pinch salt (if you use salted butter I wouldn't add)
1/4 cup sugar
1 stick cold butter
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup French Vanilla creamer
3/4 cup chopped dark chocolate
3/4 cup chopped fresh cherries

Preheat oven to 400.  Bake for 20 minutes

Glaze
3/4 cup powdered sugar
3 Tablespoons French Vanilla