Macaroni and Cheese

Salt water and boil noodles of your choice (I use shells) to al dente

Pan fry 6 - 8 slices of bacon, once cool chop into bits

In a small saucepan heat 4 cups milk with 2 garlic cloves, bring to a slow boil

In a separate pan melt 3 tbspns butter and whisk in 3 tbspns flour - cook about 1 minute

Remove garlic cloves from the milk and set aside or discard

Whisk milk into the roux until smooth

Add 2 tsp dry mustard, 2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper, 1 tsp dash of thyme, 1 tsp of nutmeg, salt and black pepper to taste

Stir in cheese - first 1/2 pack of cream cheese, then 1 cups cheddar, 1 cups colby jack, 1 cup gruyere and the bacon

Melt 2 tbspns butter and mix with 1 cup of panko (Japanese bread crumbs)

Mix ½ a cup of freshly shredded parmesan/parmesan reggiano

Pour macaroni into a casserole dish, top with the panko/cheese mix

Bake for about 25 minutes (or until the top is golden brown) at 350

I usually serve this with a lean grilled/baked chicken and freshly steamed veggies, so that it kind of counters the richness of the macaroni :)