Make Macaroni Cheese - The Victorian Way
In this video Mrs Crocombe shares how to make macaroni cheese, a food popular with servants during Victorian times.
She includes the recipe and method so you can try making it yourself.
Duration/Time: 6:33
INGREDIENTS:
Serves 2-3 people
- Macaroni - 225g / 8oz / 2 cups
- Parmesan - 175g / 6oz / 1 cup, grated
- Breadcrumbs - 2-3 tbsp
- Water - 1.2L / 2pts / 5 cups
- Milk - 600ml / 1pt / 2 ½ cups
- Salt and pepper, to season
- Butter - 110g / 4oz / 1 stick, plus extra for greasing
METHOD:
Begin by breaking your macaroni tubes into smaller sections.
Bring the water and milk to the boil with a good handful of salt. When it boils, throw in the pasta and cook until it is nearly done (it needs to be slightly under-cooked as it will cook further in the oven).
Butter a shallow dish (around 20cm / 8 inches in diameter) and put in half of the cooked macaroni.
Dot the dish with a third of the butter, and sprinkle with half of the cheese. Season with ground pepper to taste.
Add another layer of macaroni, dot with another third of the butter, and top with breadcrumbs mixed with the rest of the cheese.
Finally, melt the remaining butter and drizzle it over the top.
Bake at 200c / 400F for 15 mins until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown.
For a really good, crisp top, finish with 2-3 minutes under a hot grill.
CAUTION:
Be sure to wear thick oven gloves because the dish will be hot and you do not want to burn yourself.