Mac and Cheese is an American favourite. Personally, I’m against any kind of cooked pasta that isn’t swimming in a pesto sauce. But on tired weekday who could be blanching and blitzing tomatoes? Those of us, who prefer the convenient route, stick to this mac and cheese recipe. It’s a classic can’t-go-wrong dish which is why it makes to be an ideal week night dinner. Comforting, convenient and super yum, this is the way to deal with the midweek madness.

Ingredients

400 – 450 g Macaroni
4 slices of chicken ham
1 1/4 cup of Milk (warm)
5 cheese (single) slices
2 tbs of butter
100 g green peas
50 g of parsley
1 red bell pepper
1 (large) carrot
Salt
Pepper
Chilli powder

Directions

Pre heat the oven at 190 Celsius. Prepare a deep rectangular baking dish and set aside.

Fill a deep pot with water and boil the macaroni with two teaspoons of salt. Once the macaroni has boiled, strain using a colander and set aside.

Add some pepper, chilli powder and a dash of salt to the chicken ham slices and let it marinade.

Meanwhile coarsely chop the bell pepper, parsley and set aside.

Place the boiled macaroni in a bowl, add the chopped bell pepper, parsley, green peas, grate a (washed & peeled) carrot on to it, and toss it for a few minutes.

Pour the warm milk in to a bowl, add the butter, a teaspoon of pepper, salt, chilli powder and whisk for a few minutes (ensure the butter has melted).

Using half the tossed macaroni, make layer on the prepared dish.

Break two slices of cheese, two slices of ham in to bits and strategically hide it in between the macaroni.

Pour ½ cup of the milk mixture on to the layer.

Place the rest of the macaroni on top. Tear the rest of the chicken ham and place it in between the macaroni.

Pour in the remaining milk mixture all over the macaroni.

Tear the remaining cheese slices and place it on top of the macaroni.

Bake for 40 - 45 minutes.

Disasters, Warnings and Tips

Not to toot my own horn, but this is a darn good version of a traditional Mac and Cheese.

Instead of Chicken Ham you could use actual chicken pieces. Cook them before of course.

Bundle your parsley stalks and add them to the boiling pasta for some extra flavour.

This recipe serves four hungry people.

I was shaking a leg to Bailando by Enrique Iglesias ft Descemer Bueno, Gente De Zona while making this.

Add Worcestershire sauce to your chicken ham marinade.

If you do have Cheddar, Use it instead of cheese slices.

Put the green peas in warm water for ten minutes before using them. I couldn’t be bothered so I just added them straight away.

THE PRICE OF CHEESE??? Good grief! I’m really going to get that cow...

By Shazzana Hamid