More than just your everyday Mac n cheese

Macaroni and cheese is not something that I make all the time, but this recipe is something special - and it was very easy. Maybe not as easy as a Kraft Mac n Cheese - but this is real food ! This is the way my mom used to make her mac n cheese - she cut the cheese into cubes instead of making a cheese sauce. All the added seasonings make this one really worth trying - and with the ham, it's a meal in itself. Recipe adapted from Saveur.

Southern Mac n Cheese with Ham serves 4

4 oz elbow macaroni

3 oz sharp cheddar cut into cubes

3 oz smoked ham diced

1 tablespoon flour

1 teaspoon dry mustard

s&p

little grated nutmeg

dash cayenne

1/3 cup sour cream

1 egg

1 & 1/2 cups half and half

1/4 onion grated

1/2 teaspoon worcestershire

1/2 cup grated swiss cheese

Boil the macaroni in salted water for 1/2 the time recommended on the package and then drain. Butter a square pan and put in the macaroni, the cubed cheese and ham and mix up. In a mixing bowl put the flour and spices then add the sour cream, egg, 1/2 & 1/2, onion & worcestershire and whisk until combined. Pour the milk mixture over the pasta and then top with the swiss. Bake at 350 degrees for about 30 min, or until brown and bubbly. If you are only 2 people - try to resist eating the whole pan - believe me you will want to!