Crab mac and cheese
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
  • 300g dried macaroni elbows
  • 50g butter
  • 1 brown onion
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • ½ tsp dried tarragon
  • ⅛ tsp tumeric
  • 2 tbsp flour
  • 1 cup chicken stock
  • 1 tbsp brandy or white wine (optional)
  • 2 cups milk
  • ¼ cup cream
  • 2 tbsp lemon juice
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup grated cheese
  • 150g crab meat
  • ¼ cup grated cheese (additional)
  • 2 tbsp breadcrumbs
Instructions
  1. Put a large pot of well salted water on the stove and bring to a boil. Add the macaroni and cook for 15-20 minutes until al dente.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, place a saucepan on the stove over a medium heat and melt the butter. Finely dice the onion and cook in the butter for 5-7 minutes until very soft and starting to turn golden.
  3. Crush the garlic and stir into the onion. Stir in the tarragon and tumeric and cook for another minute.
  4. Sprinkle the flour over the butter and onion mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2-3 minutes.
  5. Pour in the chicken stock and stir well to remove any lumps. Pour in the brandy or white wine if using. The sauce will be very thick.
  6. Pour in the milk and stir carefully to combine. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 2 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent the sauce sticking.
  7. Add the cream and lemon juice to the sauce. Add salt and pepper to taste. Note: you can add more lemon juice if you would like the sauce to have more zing.
  8. Remove the sauce from the heat and stir in the 1 cup of grated cheese. Shred the crab meat and stir through the sauce (keep a little aside to garnish if you wish).
  9. Once the macaroni is cooked, drain well and return to the pot. Pour in the sauce and mix well to coat the pasta with the crab sauce.
  10. Transfer to individual oven-proof serving bowls, or one large ovenproof dish. Sprinkle over a little extra grate cheese and a few breadcrumbs and grill for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
  11. Serve immediately with a fresh salad or your favourite vegetables.
Recipe by The Fare Sage at https://www.thefaresage.com/crab-mac-and-cheese/