Fried Bacon Mac and Cheese
(courtesy of Jay Rathmann, chef/owner, BJ’s Nevada Barbecue Co. in Sparks. Serves 8 to 10)
For this dish, you’ll first prepare the mac and cheese, then cook and cool it in a loaf, as the staff at BJ’s does. Once it’s cool, you’ll cut a slice to make the fried bacon mac and cheese.
Cheese sauce
4 tablespoons salted butter
1 tablespoon shallots, minced
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
3 cups half and half
¼ teaspoon turmeric
¼ teaspoon ground white pepper
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
1 pinch cayenne powder
1 pinch nutmeg
1 pound Velveeta cheese, cubed
2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded
Mac and cheese
8 cups cooked macaroni noodles (1 pound dry)
6 cups cheese sauce
1½ cups panko breadcrumbs
½ pound softly cooked, chopped bacon (1 pound uncooked)
Melt butter in saucepan on medium heat. Add shallots and cook until translucent. With a whisk, add flour and stir to incorporate. Cook roux mixture 2 minutes, whisking constantly to make sure it doesn’t brown. Add half and half and all spices, then whisk until there are no lumps. Once mixture has thickened, add cheese and whisk until smooth. Reserve any remaining sauce for plating.
Add cooked noodles, cheese sauce, panko breadcrumbs, and bacon pieces to a bowl, and mix until combined. Pour into a 2-inch, half-size hotel pan lined with plastic wrap. Press mixture into pan so there are no air pockets. Place another piece of plastic wrap on top. Place into a bain-marie, or water bath, to ensure edges don’t overcook, and place in a 225 degree F preheated oven. Cook for 2 to 2½ hours or until very firm. Cool in refrigerator overnight.
Breading mixture
2 cups panko breadcrumbs (Japanese style)
2 cups plain breadcrumbs
¼ cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon kosher salt
Combine all ingredients in bowl and reserve.
Egg wash
4 to 5 large eggs
¼ cup water
In small bowl, whisk eggs and water together and reserve.
To assemble fried bacon mac and cheese dish
Remove chilled bacon mac and cheese from refrigerator and remove from pan. Cut pieces 2 inches by 3 inches in size. Stand pieces on edge and cut in half to create two pieces half as thick. Dip into egg wash, then breading mixture and coat evenly. Heat frying pan coated in oil to 350 degrees F for 4 to 5 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through. Reheat reserved cheese sauce for drizzling over finished bites.
