MAC AND CHEESE

Mac and Cheese image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h25m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

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Ingredients

1 large sweet potato, peeled and cut into small dice
1 1/2 cups 00 flour
1 teaspoon oil
1 teaspoon ice cold water
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
Pinch of salt
1/2 cup mascarpone
1/3 cup (5 1/2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup evaporated milk, such as Carnation
3/4 cup grated Gruyere cheese
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Pinch of ground cinnamon
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
Canola oil, for frying
6 sage leaves
1 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
2 tablespoons butter, melted

Steps:

For the sweet potato gnocchi: Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add the potatoes and boil until fork-tender, about 15 minutes. Remove the potatoes with a slotted spoon (reserve the pot of water) and allow to cool for about 10 minutes.
Put the potatoes through a ricer into a bowl. Add the flour to a separate bowl and make a well. Add the oil and ice water and knead into a dough, adding in the cinnamon, nutmeg and salt. Fold in the mascarpone. Slowly add the potatoes and knead until the dough comes together and rolls out smoothly, 5 to 7 minutes. Form into a ball, wrap in plastic and let the dough rest for 10 minutes.
Bring the pot of water back to a boil. Roll the dough into a long thin log, then divide into 2-inch pieces. Boil the gnocchi until they float, 2 to 3 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
For the sauce: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat and whisk in the flour until incorporated. Add the milk and cheese and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the cheese is fully melted and the sauce is thickened, about 7 minutes. Season with additional salt and pepper if needed, and stir in the cinnamon and nutmeg.
For the fried sage: In a heavy, shallow pan, add some canola oil and heat until a thermometer inserted in the oil registers 400 degrees F. Add the sage leaves and fry until crisp, 1 minute. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels.
For the panko topping: Mix together the breadcrumbs, Parmesan and butter in a small bowl.
Combine the gnocchi and sauce gently in a bowl. Divide the mixture among individual 6-ounce ramekins. Top each with some panko topping, a fried sage leaf and extra Parmesan. Bake until bubbling and crispy brown on top, about 5 minutes. Serve in the ramekins.