Creamy Crabby Macaroni & Cheese

Wife -        "What year is it going to be honey?"
Husband - "What year do you think it's going to be dear?"
Wife -         "Ummm, ummmm 2013?"
Husband - "Are you kidding me?"
Wife -         "2012????, It's not like I write checks anymore!"
Husband - "Do you know how old you are?"
Wife -         "I'll pretend like you didn't ask me that"

end conversation.





We are such a loving family - and we Welcome in the year 2012...right??? Confirmation please. All I really know is I am that much closer to get the pee inducing creature outta me for good...wait one sec....gotta go pee....





OK, back now. Last night the New Year was rung in with a movie and the couch...actually now that I think about it that is pretty much the way I currently celebrate any holiday. I did manage to make it till 1030pm, sort of my personal best record.





Beings that I have a living alarm clock that wakes me at the first shot of sunlight beaming from the east (aka 630am on the freaking dot every single omg time) I sort of feel it's OK that I'm in bed by 1030pm.

Also I ate 16lbs of pasta, taquitos, and corn dogs - sort of coma inducing...Let that be the first confession of 2012.






INGREDIENTS
Delightfully borrowed from Eatin on the Cheap
{Full Printable Recipe}

1/2-3/4 pound elbow macaroni (less mac the creamier)
4 T unsalted butter
1 c. Panko Bread Crumbs
2 3/4 c. Half & Half
2 T minced fresh parsley
1/2 t. garlic powder
1 T grated Parmesan cheese
1 t. salt
1/4 c. AP flour
1/4 t. cayenne
1/2 t. ground mustard
1/2 t. old bay
2 c. Fontina
1 c. Gruyere
2 (6 oz) cans crab meat, drained





DIRECTIONS

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta for directed amount of minutes. Drain, set aside covered.

Place Panko crumbs in a small bowl. Melt 1 T of butter and toss with breadcrumbs in a small bowl. Pan fry the panko crumbs in a small pan over a medium heat until toasty. Next add in the parsley, garlic powder, Parmesan. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the remaining butter. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the half & half until the mixture is smooth. Continue to cook and stir until the sauce has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Remove from the heat and stir in cayenne, old bay, mustard, and  salt. Stir in cheese until it has all melted.  Give it a little taste test to see if you want more seasonings.

In a large bowl, stir pasta, cheese sauce and crab meat together well. Place your macaroni in serving bowls and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Enjoy!

* This recipe from the original inventor called for baking the dish, but I prefer a creamy macaroni and cheese - so if you make it my way be sure to serve it asap *