Monday 9 September 2013

Mac 'n Cheese Monday - Trying a new recipe.

Last Monday I wrote about my favourite mac recipes and this week I'm trying a new recipe, the Mac & Shews from The PPK blog. This has been on my to-make list since Isa published it back in February 2011 which is a ridiculously long time to have been skipping over such an awesome looking recipe. As I said in the comments on the Mac & Shews post I'd never even tried sauerkraut back then and now I'm a confirmed mega fan who throws it into sandwiches and onto hot dogs as often as I can.

This recipe has a roux at its base which is then built upon with creamy cashews, sauerkraut and, of course, nooch. If you've never made one before don't be intimidated by the roux, it's surprisingly simple and as long as you don't burn your flour you should be fine. Roux's are one of Nick's specialities so he was in charge of ours and he did a fine job.


This was a truly exceptional mac 'n cheese, similar in texture to the Mac Daddy from Veganomicon but with a deeper flavour thanks to the sauerkraut. Nick didn't look overly impressed when he spotted what was going into our blender (he hates sauerkraut. I know!) but he was definitely enamoured with the final result. This is a recipe that will be getting added to my list of favourites fo' sure.

I can't wait to try Isa's Chipotle Mac & Cheese with Roasted Brussels Sprouts next as this recipe's shown that she really has a way with nooch! One thing you might've noticed if you clicked through to the original recipe is the similarity in our photos, obviously Isa's is better, she probably didn't take hers in a dark room with three different lights pointing at it, but I never know how to make my mac's photograph well so I, er, 'borrowed' the styling from her! If you're reading this, thanks Isa!

18 comments:

  1. Awesome - I have heaps of sauerkraut at the moment and need some ideas for it so I'm definitely going to try this. Your owl bowl is so cute!

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  2. As soon as I saw that recipe I made sure to add sauerkraut to my grocery cart at my very next grocery outing. I never did make it, tossing the 'kraut when we moved. Now I'm wishing I had followed through! I am not a fan of sauerkraut in general (I know! ;), but I am so intrigued as to what it must do for the flavor of this recipe. Thanks for posting this. What a great reminder to finally try it!

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  3. I have a fear of sauerkraut from trying it 20 years ago in the States and hating it. I've had this recipe bookmarked too for a long time and I trust Isa so maybe this would be the recipe to first try it.

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  4. wow! sauerkraut in mac n cheese. It sounds crazy, but somehow I can also see that it would work. Hmmm!

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  5. I love this recipe and I'm glad you did too! I remember buying a huge jug of sauerkraut when I planned to make it and feeling ridiculous. But it's worth it

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  6. Sauerkraut was a big part of my childhood diet, but I'd never thought to put it in mac 'n' cheese before. I bet it tastes awesome!

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  7. Mmmmm. Have you had it cold as well Jojo? I'm partial to cold mac in a sandwich. I wonder how this would go cold in a hot dog bun with a sausage?

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  8. That recipe has been on my to do list forever too! I am a HUGE sauerkraut fan, and so it's ridiculous that I've waited this long. I'm glad that it was a hit with you and Nick! I can't wait to try it out!

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  9. I love this sauerkraut version. Kittee also has a recipe with a roux as a base and it is wonderful, too. There are so many great mac and cheese recipes to choose from. I should make a mac and cheese cleanse right after mofo.

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  10. Cunning - I've have never that thought to put sauerkraut in mac and cheese. Except now you've said it and I've got one of those amazingly huge jars going begging at home, I know this recipe is the way forward!

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  11. Oh how I love mac and cheese. Unfortunately I married someone that dislikes both 'kraut and baked pasta dishes. Oh well. All the more for meeeeee!

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  12. I am gonna have to really step up my mac game. I think I eat it about three times a year, but with all these great recipes I have been seeing. It's gonna need to become a weekly dinner for a while.

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  13. YUM! Yes I mentally shouted that!

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  14. I love sauerkraut, but I never in a million years would have thought to put it in Mac and Cheese. My husband hates it so I'll have to put this in my folder for the rare nights we cook separately. Or just not tell him whats in it and see if he ends up enamored as well. I'm definitely intrigued!

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  15. OMG this looks sooooooo gooooooood!

    I tried commenting on your new post, and the captcha doesn't work few times. So I will write this here:

    Thanks for sharing the fun list of packing & travel tips! We love traveling and on different airlines and classes. I always bring a natural hand sanitizer (it's gross in the airline bathrooms). Good idea on the laundry bar of "FUN" from LUSH.. most of my clothes are black, I guess I will have to rely on dark laundry soap! AND YES, food clip! I always use my hair clips or barettes to clip them.

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  16. I would definitely have to try it before I can convince myself that sauerkraut and mac'n cheese go hand in hand.

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  17. I've always wanted to try this but a childhood fear/loathing of sauerkraut keeps me away.

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  18. I'd completely forgotten about this recipe. But I remember being intrigued to try it when I read it because of the sauerkraut. Thanks for the reminder.

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