Black History Of Mac And Cheese
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What is the Black history of macaroni and cheese?
And where did mac and cheese come from anyway?
Macaroni and cheese is one of the many soul food dishes that have become American favorites. This delicious dish has a rich and ancient history.
Who invented macaroni and cheese?
The history of mac and cheese starts with its being known initially as macaroni pie. Mac and cheese was created by James Hemings, an African American enslaved person in Virginia who trained as a culinary chef in France.
James Hemings was a highly trained chef known to many modern-day cooks and culinary historians. He was a notable African American chef who helped create and define American cuisine as we know it today.
How did mac and cheese become soul food?
Hemings’ baked mac and cheese legacy continued long after the Emancipation Proclamation in the 1860s. Macaroni and cheese began to have new meanings and multiple identities in the Black community.
Mac and cheese became “a celebratory dish, a convenient comfort food, and a meal stretcher for impoverished families.” We recognize this historical dish today as soul food!
🎙 Listen to The Soul Food Pod episode: Southern Mac And Cheese
Keep the podcast conversation going about the history of Southern mac and cheese HERE!
What makes soul food mac and cheese different?
To make mac and cheese the traditional Black way, you’ll want to incorporate soul food seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic, onion, paprika, flour, and milk. Always use sharp cheddar cheese, pairing it with other common cheeses like mozzarella and American cheese. Bake the dish until it is creamy on top and has a golden brown crust on the edges!
Some soul food baked mac and cheese recipes use evaporated milk or sweetened condensed milk interchangeably.
More African American recipe variations for mac and cheese
When making Southern baked mac and cheese, whether you’re including lobster, specifically avoiding eggs, or preparing it quickly in an Instant Pot, it all starts with high-quality macaroni and sharp cheddar cheese. The macaroni is coated in milk and baked until it develops a golden edge, resulting in a perfect outer layer. The inside should be creamy and bubbly, creating that ideal cheese pull when served!
Equipment
- Large pot
- Whisk
- Colander
- 8-inch cast iron skillet or baking dish
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- 4 ¼ cups milk divided – 1 ¼ cups & 3 cups
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter divided – 1 tablespoon & 3 tablespoons
- 2 tablespoons flour
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese (pre-shredded cheese or grated cheese)
- 1 cup Colby-jack cheese (pre-shredded cheese or grated cheese)
- 8 oz. macaroni noodles uncooked
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ tablespoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon ground mustard powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with 3 cups of milk, 3 cups of water, and 1 tablespoon of butter, and set the pot on the stove to boil over medium-high heat.
- Once the liquid begins to boil, add the macaroni and cook according to the package directions, stirring occasionally to ensure the macaroni does not clump and stick.
- When the noodles are done, remove the pot from the stove, turn off the heat, drain the macaroni in a colander, and set it aside.
- Add the 3 tablespoons of butter to the empty pot and set it back on the stovetop over medium-low heat.
- When the butter has melted and coated in the pot, add the flour (which replaces eggs), 1 ¼ cups of milk, and seasonings (salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, dried mustard, and paprika) and whisk until smooth.
- Allow the ingredients to simmer for 2-3 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
- Then, stir in the cheese.
- Reduce the heat to low and leave the cheese sauce on the stove to cook for 5-10 minutes or until the cheeses are blended.
- Add the cooked pasta and heavy cream to the pot, stirring the mixture to blend evenly.
- Turn off the stove, remove the pot, and transfer the macaroni and cheese to a cast iron skillet or baking pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until the mac and cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Serve this Black folks’ mac and cheese recipe right away, and enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
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