Macaroni and Cheese Fusion

Edward’s Table Mac and Cheese-Fusion

My friend Fran invited me over for her famous macaroni and cheese.  It was a birthday gift in the form of a coupon which was perfect for a fall celebration as the weather gets cooler.  It’s famous because it’s one of my most favorite dishes and I rave about it. Several of my friends make it so it’s a pretty celebrated dish and everyone varies it a bit which always keeps me excited to have it.

Since Fran is most generous in always making something special when she comes to my house, I wanted to bring something special to her house. However, being short on time and having a broken oven, cooking wasn’t an option.

So I thought about the main feature, Mac and cheese and thought about how I could add into that somehow. Not much was coming up other than a salad but I remember having an appetizer of Mac and Cheese with lobster at a restaurant.  It was all the inspiration I needed and Edwards Table Mac and Cheese Fusion was born last night.

It was so good; we devoured it before I could get a picture. (So I may have to repeat this Fran), but readers imagine this:

 Edward’s Table Mac and Cheese Fusion:

To a favorite macaroni and cheese casserole recipe, consider adding small bowls of various additions.  I brought  bowls of fresh lobster meat( thank you Stew Leonard’s Seafood), green peas (frozen but defrosted) and Boars Head Brand Smoked Ham, sliced thick and then chopped into small ½ “ squares so it was like ham flakes. These are all set on the table, with spoons so that guests can make their own concoctions.

It was fantastic and allowed the dinner to be interactive. Foodies love to mix, combine, contrast and talk about tastes. Casual dinners are good times to share experiences and activities that bring people together and get them to interact, such as by passing dishes and trying different selections.  This little “smorgasbord” of treats to an already great dish was really fun and delicious.

You can mix as many different additions as you like. I can imagine adding steamed broccoli florets, edamame, peeled shrimp, pepperoni slices, pickles, caramelized onions, fresh sautéed mushrooms, chopped string beans, sautéed spinach, fried calamari, fried okra, steamed mussels or clams, barbequed shredded pork, roasted beets, roasted acorn squash cubes, crumbled bacon, feta or blue cheese crumbles, fresh chopped herbs like sage, parsley, oregano, thyme, dried spices like curry, garlic powder, dry mustard, crunchy fried onions, chopped red, yellow and green peppers, Jalapeño peppers or sliced pepperocini peppers, chopped black olives, chopped sausage, diced fresh tomatoes - can you imagine how wonderful all this could be???

Add your favorite selections and I guarantee your ETMC will be a hit too.  Let me know what you would add or your special twist on this serving suggestion.