Crab Mac and Cheese Recipe - Nick's Cove

In search of the best mac and cheese recipe, Chef Jason Hill heads to Nick's Cove Restaurant in Marshall, CA. Here, executive chef Austin Perkins crafts a decadent Dungeness crab mac and cheese with locally-caught Dungeness crab, Point Reyes Toma cheese and Spring Hill cheddar. (This recipe can easily be made into a lobster mac and cheese by subbing the crab meat for lobster meat). This gourmet mac and cheese recipe serves 6-8 people. Enjoy!! It really is the best macaroni and cheese we've ever tasted!!!

Nick's Cove Dungeness Crab Mac and Cheese recipe
Executive Chef Austin Perkins

1 pound Dungeness crab meat
2 pounds dried elbow macaroni pasta
1/2 pound unsalted butter
3/4 cup flour
1/2 gallon whole milk
1/2 gallon heavy cream
2 leeks, white part only, sliced
1 cup Point Reyes Toma, shredded
1 cup Spring Hill Cheddar, shredded
1/2 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, shredded
Salt
Tabasco
Fresh lemon juice (1/4 lemon)
Parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Toasted breadcrumbs (for garnish)

In a large pot bring three gallons of water to a rolling boil. Add pasta and
boil, stirring occasionally, 6-8 minutes. Add to a large mixing bowl and set aside.
In another large pot begin melting butter. Add the leeks and sweat 5-10 minutes, until soft. Add the flour. Stir constantly; cook until the mixtures bubbles for 2-3 minutes and smells like shortbread. Add the milk and bring to a boil; reduce to simmer. Allow the mixture to reduce while simmering, approximately 5 minutes. Add the cream and again allow to simmer for 5 minutes. Add all the cheese, whisk until incorporated. Add salt to taste; add 3-5 drops of Tabasco sauce and the juice of a quarter lemon. Pour over pasta and add crab meat, stirring to incorporate. Serve with toasted breadcrumbs and parsley.

For more information about Nick's Cove, go to http://www.NicksCove.com
Photo thumbnail courtesy of Nick's Cove and http://www.frankenyimages.com SUBSCRIBE! http://tinyurl.com/kfrblj7
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