Cooking Challenge:

Many shoppers now try to source locally produced food because of their concerns about food miles and the environmental coasts of importing food.

Students are invited to plan a meal for three of their friends and themselves, which focuses on the wide variety of high quality food produced in Northern Ireland.


Crispy top Macaroni Cheese
Serves 4

Ingredients
  • 300g macaroni
  • 50g Northern Ireland butter
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 50g flour
  • 500ml Northern Ireland milk
  • 200g Northern Ireland cheese, grated
  • Salt, pepper and mustard
  • 100g chopped ham
  • Croutons

Nutrition: 668 kcal per serving
Student: Clare Conroy
Category: Special Education
School: Lisanally Special School
Teacher: Mrs E Cardwell


Method
  • Bring a saucepan of water to the boil. Add the macaroni, stir and boil for 10 minutes.
  • Melt the butter in a saucepan. Add onions and cook. Take off the heat and stir in the flour.
  • Return to the heat, stir in the milk. Cook for another minute. Turn off the heat and add most of the cheese.
  • Drain pasta. Stir in the cheese sauce. Put half of mixture into a dish. Add the ham, and then the rest of the mixture.
  • Sprinkle the top with rest of the cheese and the croutons. Brown under the grill.
  • Serve with green salad.