BBQ RIBS WITH KILLER MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• For the boil: Add the vinegar, paprika, salt, Worcestershire, cayenne, cumin, black pepper, onion and garlic to a large pot, then add the ribs and cover with water until just submerged. Turn the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until the ribs are tender, but still on the bone, 45 minutes to 2 hours.
• For the sauce: Meanwhile, add olive oil to coat a medium pot and turn the heat to medium-high. When the oil is shimmering, add the onion and cook until it begins to soften, a few minutes. Then add the garlic, bell pepper and jalapeno. Cook until the vegetables soften, about 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes, ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar, hot sauce, molasses, black pepper, liquid smoke, lemon juice and 1 cup water and stir to combine. Raise the heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until it coats the back of a spoon, 30 minutes to 2 hours. Taste and season with salt and pepper as needed.
• Heat a grill or grill pan over high heat.
• Remove the ribs from the pot and place on the grill. Cook until browned and grill marks appear, about 10 minutes. Flip over and grill on the opposite side. Brush the tops liberally with BBQ sauce and cook until the alternate side has grill marks. Flip again and coat with sauce. Continue to brush with sauce and flip every few minutes, until the sauce begins to caramelize, and a deep crust is formed. Remove the ribs from the grill and slice ribs to serve.
• Drizzle a bit of olive oil in a large saucepan. Add the bacon and set the pan over medium heat; cook, stirring occasionally, until brown and crisp, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the pan and drain on paper towels. Do not discard the bacon fat: Reserve that deliciousness!
• Add the butter and onion to the pan with the bacon fat; season with salt and cook until the onion is soft and aromatic, 4 to 6 minutes. Add the flour and cook, stirring frequently, until the mixture looks like wet sand, about 3 minutes.
• Slowly whisk in the milk, mustard and a few shakes of Tabasco. Season with salt and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer until the mixture is slightly thicker than heavy cream, 6 to 8 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook 1 minute less than the instructions on the package suggest. Taste it: It should be toothsome, with just a little nugget of hard pasta still in the center-this is al dente. Drain the pasta.
• Add the Cheddar, fontina and Parmesan to the milk mixture and whisk to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if needed, adding a little more milk if the mixture seems too thick. Stir in the cooked bacon and pasta. The mixture should be very creamy and flavorful. Serve immediately. (If making ahead, transfer to a baking dish or ramekins, then reheat in a 375 degree oven.)

ANNE BURRELL'S KILLER MAC AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Drizzle a bit of olive oil in a large saucepan. Add bacon and bring to medium heat. Stir bacon occasionally. When crisp and brown (6-8 minutes) remove bacon from pan. Drain. Do not discard bacon fat!
• Add butter and onion to pan with the fat. Season with salt and cook till onions are soft and aromatic (8-10 minutes). Add flour and cook stirring 4-5 minutes. Slowly whisk in the milk, season with salt. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer on low heat 8-10 minutes more.
• In the meantime, bring a pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook 1 minute less than the package directions stipulate. Drain and reserve.
• Add the three cheeses to the milk mixture and whisk to combine. Add mustard and Tabasco; taste and adjust seasonings. If mixture is too thick, add more milk. Stir in bacon and pasta. Mixture should be very creamy and flavorful. Serve immediately or transfer to a baking dish or ramekins and reheat in a 375 degree oven.

PANCETTA, GRUYERE, PARMESAN AND FONTINA MAC & CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil and season generously with kosher salt. Add the shells and cook 2 minutes less than the package directions. You want the pasta to be al dente. Drain, then set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Add the olive oil and pancetta into a large heavy-bottomed pot and turn on the heat to low. Cook the pancetta to slowly render the fat, stirring occasionally, until the pancetta is crispy and most of the fat has rendered out, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the pancetta with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel-lined plate and set aside. Reserve the pancetta fat. Add the onions and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, 5 minutes. Add the butter and stir to melt. Add the flour and whisk to create a roux with the pancetta fat and butter. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes to cook out the raw flour taste. Add in the milk, Dijon mustard and hot sauce and whisk until smooth. Bring to a boil, then reduce immediately to a gentle simmer and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until slightly thickened. Add the fontina cheese, Gruyere and 1 cup of the Parmesan. Stir to combine with a rubber spatula until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth. Add the cooked shells and crispy pancetta and stir to combine. If the mixture is too thick for your liking, you can add a little more milk. Season to taste with kosher salt.
• Transfer the mac and cheese into individual ramekins or a large baking dish. Top evenly with the panko and remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan and place into the oven until the breadcrumbs are browned, about 5 minutes.