Our family got together to cook out this past weekend. Michael did the steaks. I did baked potatoes, a homemade Caesar Salad and Super Fudge Brownies! Momma Kay did Gruyere Mac-n-Cheese, and it was good! We are sharing the mac-n-cheese recipe so you can make it for your next family gathering for a new spin on an old classic.

I’m also adding in my Caesar salad because making it homemade is so much better than the store bought stuff.

Gruyere Mac-n-Cheese

1 pound elbow macaroni

2 tbs butter

2 tbs all-purpose flour

1 cup chicken stock

1 cup whole milk

3 cups shredded Gruyere cheese

1 cup shredded white cheddar cheese

pinch of freshly grated nutmeg

1 tbs Dijon mustard

Heat water for pasta, salt water and cook pasta to al dente. Directions will be on the box.

Heat a sauce pot over medium heat. Add butter, melt and whisk in flour. Cook one minute then whisk in stock and milk and bring to a bubble. Thicken a few minutes then season with salt. Melt in cheese, stirring in a figure eight motion with a wooden spoon. Add nutmeg and mustard and adjust salt. Drain pasta. And stir in cheese sauce. For an extra treat, top with some crispy crumbled bacon.

Homemade Caesar Salad

Caesar Dressing

6 cloves garlic, mashed and minced

1 tbs Dijon mustard

1 tablespoon Vinegar

2 tbs mayonnaise

half cup olive oil

Salt

Pepper

Lemon juice

Minced anchovy fillets (optional)

Combine garlic, mustard, vinegar and two pinches of salt in a blender and mix thoroughly.

Add mayonnaise and blend together to form a thick base. In a slow stream add olive oil through hole in lid. Scrape dressing with spatula into a bowl and season to taste with salt, pepper and lemon juice. If desired, add anchovy to dressing to create a deeper, saltier taste.

Croutons

1 baguette

3 tbs butter

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp pepper

Cut baguette into cubes. Melt butter in skillet and season with garlic powder, paprika and pepper. Add bread cubes and saute just until bread cubes begin to brown. Set aside to cool.

Caesar Salad

Romaine Hearts

Fresh grated Parmesan

Caesar dressing

Croutons

Wash and dry lettuce. In a large salad bowl, combine lettuce, dressing and croutons. Top with freshly grated Parmesan. Toss gently to combine well.