Tastefully Tueday...

For Christmas one of my friends gave me a set of individula ramkins for baking in all with their own little lids which I haven't seen before so that sent me looking for a great gourmet Macaroni and Cheese recipe to make in them.  And what is more Gourmet than Lobster so here is the recipe I chose from TheNibble.com for today's post, it calls to make it in a large baking dish but I am going to try it in my new little cooking pots.

Cheesy Pasta and Lobster Bake Mac & Cheese Anne Jones was the 2005 Grand Prize Winner, taking national honors by combining two of America’s favorite foods: lobster and mac and cheese. The recipe serves 6. Ingredients 4 tablespoons, plus 2 tablespoons, plus 1½ tablespoons, butter 4 tablespoons flour 2 cups half and half 1¾ teaspoons salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 1¼ cups Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded 1¼ cups Monterey Jack cheese, shredded 1½ cups Parmigiano-Reggiano, shredded ½ cup gruyère cheese, shredded 1 teaspoon minced garlic 1 pound packaged dry gnocchi-shaped pasta Non-stick cooking spray 1 pound lobster meat, picked over and chopped 2 teaspoons chopped green onions, green tops only 1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs ½ teaspoon each paprika, dried basil and dried thyme Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium saucepan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter over low heat. Add flour and stir to combine. Cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and, with a wire whisk, gradually add the half and half. Cook 3-5 minutes, or until thickened, stirring often. Remove from the heat, and add ½ cup Parmigiano-Reggiano, ½ cup gruyère, garlic, 3⁄4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Stir until cheese is melted and well combined. Cover and let stand. Fill a large pan with water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Add 1 teaspoon salt. Add pasta, return to a boil, reduce the heat to a low boil and cook for about 8-10 minutes, or until just undercooked. Drain water from pasta and return to the pan. Add the béchamel sauce and 2 tablespoons butter; stir until well combined. Set aside. In a large bowl combine the Tillamook Sharp Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses, and 1 cup of the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Spray a 3-quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. Place one half of the pasta in the baking dish. Top with half of the mixed cheeses. Top with the other half of the pasta, followed by the remaining mixed cheeses. Bake in a pre-heated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the visibly bubbling and hot. While pasta is baking, combine 1½ tablespoons butter and lobster meat in a medium saucepan, over medium-low heat for 3 minutes, or until lobster is heated through. Remove from heat; add bread crumbs, green onions, paprika, basil and thyme, and 1 ounce of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Toss lightly to combine. Remove the baking dish from the oven and spoon the lobster mixture over the top of the pasta. Spread evenly. Turn the oven to “Broil” and return the baking dish to the oven. Broil 10-12 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Today's no cook idea is from Cici's, from today until the 8th they are offering a free kids buffet with the purchase of one adult buffet.  Just print out the coupon and bring it in with you.  Note the coupon is good for kids 10 and under and there is only one per customer, I do think that you could use two if you have two adults go though. Have a great Tuesday! C.Q.