• Delphia@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      30
      ·
      5 months ago

      I maintain that Mac and Cheese is one of those foods that weirdly gets better the worse and more fake it is.

      Ive had some gourmet shit and I always think “I miss the old Kraft one with the tinned cheese.”

      • Alteon@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        arrow-down
        3
        ·
        5 months ago

        Cause you’re tasting that sweet, sweet nostalgia.

        I’d bet if you gave someone that’s never had Mac and cheese before Kraft Mac vs a good gourmet Mac, the gourmet will win by an absolute landslide.

        Cheap Mac and cheese isn’t good because it’s good… It’s good because of the old memories attached to it.

        • Bgugi@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          ·
          5 months ago

          Counterpoint:

          Trash macs and cheese are really good, and there are some amazing high-effort recipes.

          It’s all the stuff in the middle that forms an uncanny valley that isn’t any good.

          • Alteon@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            3
            ·
            edit-2
            5 months ago

            Bro, that’s not good Mac and cheese. You haven’t had good Mac and cheese. I promise you.

            Check out how to use sodium citrate and what it does.

            Them get yourself some of your favorite cheese.

            For me, smoked Gouda and cave aged cheddar and a little pecorino romano if I’ve got it.

            Roughly 4-5g of sodium citrate per 100g of cheese. Use water or milk, start with a half cup and add more as you need it, honestly there’s more than enough fat content in the cheese that it won’t make a difference. Shred cheese and add to simmering water. Keep adding cheese until everything is in the pot, and the sauce is perfectly smooth. There should be no lumps. Add more water or milk to desired consistency, and add some mustard powder, cayenne, and garlic. And salt to your preference. It’s the creamiest Mac and cheese you’ll ever have, and the depth of flavor is game changing. I promise you.

            You can even take it to the next step with caramelized onions or shallots and some crumbled sausage. Finish with some bread crumbs, a little paramesian, and some smoked paprika on top, and toss it under the broiler for a minute to toast up.

            For reference, the photo of the “Juneteenth” version is melted cheese with noodles. Fuck that. The recipe I gave you will look like the stuff on the right, and its so fucking good, you’ll discover God in that bowl of Mac and cheese.

        • Delphia@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          3
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          5 months ago

          Nah, thats not it.

          The gourmet stuff just seems to be missing the whole point for me, not saying its bad Ive had some that were really good but they just seem to be missing the point. Its never going to be good for me nutritionally speaking, its not going to be served at a michellin star restaraunt. It’s Macaroni and Cheese. It’s like corn chips, I’m not saying that the gourmet Deli ones are bad, but they arent Doritos. That orange powder is delicious because it’s fake and engineered. I wouldnt make Nachos with Doritos but if your after that “Cheez” its whats right.