Crowds

I have decided that a daily blog post isnt needed. So, I will post at least once a week. Hopefully, more.
Last night we had a surprise 70th birthday party for my Mom. It was a success. Being around this large group of people, got me thinking about feeding large crowds of people and foods for pot luck type get togethers. My chocolate chunk cookies were a hit as the party favor. I got three calls aready saying how delicious they are. Another reason to get more into this baking business. I saw this recipe on emeril live and it seems like it would be a real crowd pleaser.

Chesapeake Bay "Crabby" Mac
Recipe courtesy Pam Jensen

Serves:
4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

4 tablespoons butter

1 large shallot (or 2 small) minced

4 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 cups milk

1 tablespoon seafood seasoning (recommended: Old Bay)

1 (8-ounce) block cream cheese

2 cups grated manchego cheese

1 cup grated Cheddar

2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley leaves

2 tablespoons sherry, optional

1 (16-ounce) box elbow macaroni

1 pound lump crabmeat

Topping:

4 tablespoons melted butter

1 cup bread crumbs

2 teaspoons seafood seasoning (recommended: Old Bay)

1 tablespoon freshly chopped parsley leaves

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

For the sauce:
Melt the butter in a saucepan.

Add minced shallots and saute for 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the flour to make a roux. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes to cook the flour.

Slowly, add 3 cups milk.

When milk is incorporated into the roux, add the seafood seasoning, and the block of cream cheese.

Cook until cream cheese is melted.

Add shredded manchego and Cheddar cheeses and parsley.

Cook until all the cheese is melted. Add the sherry, if desired.

Cook macaroni according to package directions or until just al dente.

Drain macaroni.

Stir cheese mixture into cooked macaroni and fold in crabmeat. (Be sure to fold in crabmeat so you don't break up the lumps too much, you want nice chunks of crab.)

Put mixture in a baking dish.

For the topping:

Mix melted butter, bread crumbs, seafood seasoning, and parsley.

Sprinkle topping on the dish.

Bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes to make the topping crispy. Garnish with fresh parsley.