Executive Chef Joey Ray from The Ainsworth made a Mac and Cheese Burger. (see recipe below) The Ainsworth is a new upscale sports bar, located at 206 21st Ave S Nashville, TN 37203. For more information, call (629) 800-5153 or visit www.theainsworth.com
Mac and Cheese Burgers
1 lb elbow macaroni, cooked,drained and cooled
Bechamel sauce
1 quart heavy cream
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar
1 package herbed Boursin cheese
1/4 c flour
1 Tablespoon chopped shallot
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a 4 qt sauce pot and add the shallot and garlic, add flour and whisk. Cook the flour for a couple of minutes over medium heat. Add cream and whisk intermittently while the sauce thickens. Once it has become thick ,add in the cheeses and whisk until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
Other ingredients
4 each 8oz burger patties
4 slices of cheddar cheese
4 slices of provolone cheese
4 each hamburger buns
2 c white cheddar
4 cups panko bread crumbs
1.5 c flour (seasoned with salt and pepper)
2 eggs beaten with ¼ cup water
Split ½ the macaroni noodles and reserve. Place the remaining portion in a mixing bowl and add 2 cups of the bechamel sauce along with the 2 cups of white cheddar. Mix this well it should be super thick and not runny and wet. Spread mixture in a ½ inch layer in a shallow pan, and refrigerate until it sets. Once mixture is set cut our a 3.5 or 4 inch disk with a ring mold cutter and place in the freezer. Once frozen it is time to bread. Place in seasoned flour first, then in the egg wash mixture and lastly coat everything well with the bread crumbs.
While this is getting set add the remaining noodles to the cheese sauce to make the macaroni and cheese.
To finish the patties, shallow fry until golden browned and hold in a warm oven until needed.
Cook hamburgers to desired doneness and melt on top one slice of the provolone and cheddar cheeses.
To assemble the burger place the fried macaroni patty down first and top with the cheese burger. Top it off with a scoop of the mac and cheese and close the bun.
