Prairie Breeze

The Musser Family’s version of aged cheddar and is award winning, one of the 4 awards is a gold on the world level. This cheese is stronger in flavor than their Old Style Cheddar, but has its own unique flavor and is aged a minimum of 9 months.

Prairie Breeze Mac ’n Cheese (Compliments of Milton Creamery)

6 generous slices rustic white bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, additional for greasing baking dish

5 3/4 cups milk

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly grated is best, if available)

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

4 1/2 cups (about 18 ounces) grated Milton Creamery’s Prairie Breeze

2 cups (about 8 ounces) grated Gruyere

1 pound elbow macaroni (or other pasta shape like Rustichella Trenne)

1.     Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside. Place bread pieces in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Pour butter into the bowl with bread, and toss. Set the breadcrumbs aside. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat milk. Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 minute.

2.     Slowly pour hot milk into flour-butter mixture while whisking. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.

3.     Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, mustard, 3 cups cheddar, and 1 ½ cups Gruyere. Set cheese sauce aside.

4.     Cook macaroni following manufacturer’s instructions, but cook 2 to 3 fewer minutes than instructions on box, until outside of pasta is cooked and inside is underdone as it will continue to cook in the oven. Transfer the macaroni to colander and rinse under cold water, making sure to drain well to avoid watery mac and cheese! Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce.

5.  Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 ½ cups cheddar and 1/2 cup Gruyere; scatter breadcrumbs over the top. If you like, top with a sprinkle of additional cayenne, black pepper or sweet paprika for an extra kick. Bake until bubbling and browned on top, about 30 minutes. Transfer dish to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes before serving. Bon Appetit!