Have you ever heard of Indo mac and cheese? It is derived from a classic guilty pleasure, popular with the Indo-Dutch community called ‘Indische macaroni schotel’. Indisch is the adjective that refers to the formed Dutch Indies (modern Indonesia) and schotel is the Dutch word for dish. Mac and Cheese might be the most popular comfort food known to man, for sure in America. The ‘Indo’ version is usually made with cheese and smoked sausage or corned beef, luncheon meet or even tuna. What makes it Indo? Check the video!
This recipe is about using a cup cake pan instead of a dish. This makes for perfect individual portions, gives crunch to every bite, it is portable and suitable for different occasions as appetizer, snack or picnic item.
Here we go!
INGREDIENTS – makes about 24 servings
8 oz. elbow macaroni
2 oz. butter
1 onion, finally chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
8 oz. smoked sausage, cubed
6 eggs
8 oz. milk
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt or to taste
1/2 tsp pepper
1 bouillon cube – for additional flavor
6 tbsp panko
8 oz. cheese – grated cheddar or mix with medium-sharp cheeses
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 400F
Grease cup cake pan with cooking spray
Add macaroni to boiling water – follow instructions on package
When al dente, drain
Add butter to prevent macaroni from sticking
Chop onion and garlic
Dice smoked sausage (or other meat)
Crack the eggs and whisk
Add the milk and whisk
Sauté the onion and garlic
Season with nutmeg
Add salt and pepper to taste – good time to taste to see if it needs more
Add bouillon powder/cube or other flavor maker
Add the cheese and mix
Scoop the macaroni mix in the cup cake pan
Melt butter in the microwave and mix it with the panco.
Poor the egg and milk mix to the macaroni
Top it off with breadcrumbs and or cheese
Bake in preheated over for 30 min.
Take it out of the oven to cool for 10 min
Serve warm or at room temperature
You can personalize it by adding different ingredients to the mix like sweet peas, bell pepper, broccoli etc.
You can add flavor and color to it by adding cream cheese, chives and an olive on top. Spread sambal oelek on it, add a slice of tomato and cucumber. For some extra crunch crumble potato chips on top or some freshly grated parmesan cheese with chives. Yummm!
Serve a salad or greens with it, like arugula or baby spinach.
In these unusual times we need comfort food to sooth and nurture us. Making these Indo Mac and Cheese Cups gives pleasure and reliefs stress and anxiety. With these bite size finger foods we enjoy it in ‘moderation’ – that is, if you stop at 2. That will be difficult though.
Go check out the video to learn more about Indo Mac and Cheese Cups.
Enjoy!
©jeffkeasberry
