Culinary SOS: Mac ‘n’ cheese from a Bakersfield Sheraton

Dear SOS: We recently had the most delicious Mac and Cheese at the Bistro in the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in Bakersfield. Can you get this recipe for me?

Suzanne Wolfe

San Luis Obispo

Dear Suzanne: The Bistro was happy to share its recipe for this very rich take on the classic comfort food.

The Bistro’s mac ‘n’ cheese with grilled chicken

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Total time: 50 minutes

Servings: 8 to 10

Note: Adapted from The Bistro at Four Points by Sheraton Bakersfield.

Macaroni base

1 (1-pound) box Cellentani (corkscrew) pasta

1/4 cup minced shallot (2 large shallots)

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 quart heavy cream

8 ounces Boursin Garlic and Fine Herb Gournay cheese, crumbled

1. In a large pot of salted, boiling water, cook the pasta to al dente according to the package instructions, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.

2. Heat a medium, heavy-bottom pot over medium-high heat until hot. Saute the shallots in the olive oil until lightly colored, then add the heavy cream. Reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and reduce by half, 8 to 10 minutes.

3. Whisk in the crumbled cheese until melted and incorporated, then stir in the pasta.

4. Remove from heat and reserve the base, still in the pan, in a warm place.

Chicken

4 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

2 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and pepper

2 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley

2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary

Drizzle the chicken breasts with the olive oil, and season each side of each breast with a pinch each of salt and pepper. Sprinkle over the chopped parsley and rosemary. Grill the chicken over moderate heat until the flesh is firm and the juices run clear, and a thermometer inserted reads 165 degrees. Remove from heat, cover and keep warm until needed.

Mac ‘n’ cheese assembly

1/2 cup diced pancetta

2 tablespoons oil

1/4 cup bread crumbs

Prepared macaroni base

Prepared chicken

4 teaspoons chopped parsley

4 teaspoons white truffle oil

1. In a medium saute pan, cook the pancetta in the oil over medium-high heat until crisp, 5 to 7 minutes

2. Strain the pancetta, leaving any fat in the pan.

3. Heat the pan with the fat over medium-high heat and sprinkle over the bread crumbs.

4. Saute the bread crumbs until darkened and toasted, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and drain the bread crumbs on a paper towel.

5. Heat the macaroni base over medium heat until hot, stirring frequently. While the base is heating, slice the chicken into strips.

6. Stir the chicken into the base, then stir in the crisp pancetta, parsley and white truffle oil, tossing to coat.

7. Divide the mac ‘n’ cheese among 4 serving bowls and top with the crisp bread crumbs. Serve immediately.

Each of 10 servings: 739 calories; 24 grams protein; 41 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 53 grams fat; 29 grams saturated fat; 204 mg cholesterol; 2 grams sugar; 278 mg sodium.

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