Tag Archives: macaroni and cheese

Queens Comfort – Treat Yo Self!

If you find yourself in New York on a quiet night that you’d like to add a little flavor to, I have to insist that you try Queens Comfort. No, this isn’t the first time I’ve written about this particular restaurant. Why am I writing again? Because… It’s… That… Good.

This little gem of Astoria sits right on 30th avenue and Steinway street, only 3 stops from 59th and Lex, Manhattanites! Well worth the trip for these:

Fried Green Tomatoes

Forever Freakin’, always representing.

We began our meal with the Fried Green Tomatoes, a southern favorite. These were crunchy and served piping hot with homemade lemon pepper ranch. Remember: It’s BYOB! So we B’d a snobby organic IPA, but covered it with a Freaker, lest the hipsters see us not drinking PBR. Jared was feeling extra country so he indulged in this hot mess, the “Ring of Fire” burger:

“Ring of Fire” Burger (with fried jalapeños and sriracha)

He asked for it medium rare and the server replied, “Okayyy, dude, I’ll write that on the ticket, but the kitchen sorta does its own thing, kaayyyy?” Jared says it was the best burger he’s ever had. Since for once we did not go halfsies on meals, I was elated to be free to order the one menu item I’ve had my eye on since my first visit to Queens Comfort, the Bacon Scallion Mac and Cheese:

Bacon Scallion Mac and Cheese — Voted #1 in NYC

Hot damn if this isn’t the best macaroni and cheese I’ve ever tasted (and New Yorkers agree)! If you’ll remember, on our last visit to Queens Comfort, we enjoyed a Meatloaf Mac and Cheese. It was delicious, but THIS mac and cheese was another level of yum. It’s not the kind of meal you can have every night, but if you’re feeling particularly indulgent, you simply cannot do better than this. Who’s been? What’s your favorite menu item?

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Filed under Restaurants

Mac & Cheese: A Love Story

Once upon a time, during a stroll in the East Village, we happened upon a lovely little pub advertising $3 draft beers. I happen to be a big fan of $3 draft beers, so we decided to sit for a spell. The locally brewed ale was refreshing, but I had the pangs of hunger sneaking up on me. To my delight, I saw the menu boasted mac and cheese, then to my absolute enchantment, I saw the menu offered something else: chili mac and cheese. Something I’ve never had before, I enjoyed this dish so much that I had to attempt my own version.

I started by making the chili, then while it was simmering, I began with the mac and cheese.

<– Here is everything I used to make the cheese sauce.

I did not make the pasta from scratch (maybe some day soon) I used big shells from a box.

First I put the pasta into a pot of salty boiling water (this recipe calls for a 1/2 pound). The shells take 14 minutes, so that gave me plenty of time to make the sauce. First I mixed 3 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons of flour. I whisked this all together, stirring constantly for about 5 minutes. Then I added half a onion, chopped, 2 cloves of garlic, chopped, 3 cups of milk, a dash of paprika and cayenne and salt and pepper. Then I let this simmer for about 10 minutes. Don’t forget the pasta!

After ten minutes, I added in 8 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese. It melts fast and then in with the pasta! Once the pasta is all cheesy, pour it into the casserole dish (ours is foil cause we’re classy) and put 4 more ounces of cheese on top (just get a 12 ounce bag and do 2/3 and 1/3). I added a little spicy monterey jack too, but that’s up to you.

Then into a 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes, until its nice and bubbly. A little scoop of this… a little scoop of that…and they lived happily ever after.

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Filed under Recipes