Cooking on a student budget can be tough – whether its because you spent all your student loan on nights out at motion, or simply don’t have the time to cook inexpensive food from scratch in amongst lectures. To make your lives a little easier, we are starting a series of recipes for budget and brisk meals, and our first begins with Mac ‘n’ Cheese.
When you think of Mac ‘n’ cheese, you think of soul food and America. An interesting fact is that Mac ‘n’ cheese actually originated in England, so why not give this very easy and scrumptious recipe a go! While it is not necessarily the healthiest, many of the ingredients needed are cupboard staples so this meal works out very cheap, and is extremely warming on cold autumn nights.
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
- 200g Macaroni
- 20g Butter
- 20g Plain flour
- 100ml Milk
- Mustard Powder/ mustard (optional)
- 150g Cheddar cheese (grated)
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Method:
- Boil a pan of slightly salted water, and cook the macaroni for 8-10 mins, or according to the packet’s instructions. Drain well, and set aside.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat.
- Once the butter has melted, slowly add the flour. If you add the flour too fast, the texture of your sauce may be grainy.
- Gradually whisk in the milk, once more, a little at a time. Cook for 10 mins until the sauce is thick and creamy.
- (OPTIONAL: if you are using mustard powder, now add 1/4 teaspoon into your sauce and stir thoroughly. This adds a lovely sharper taste to your sauce)
- Take the pan off the heat, and add your cheese. Stir until melted.
- Add salt and pepper to season, then serve piping hot.
(image: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ree-drummond/macaroni-and-cheese-reci…)
This can be eaten on its own, or pair with a fresh salad or even fried chicken for an American soul food classic.