SIMPLE ROUX RECIPE RECIPES

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Salt water (after it comes to a boil) add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente.
• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• While pasta is cooking begin to make your roux. Over low heat begin to melt butter. Once butter is melted add flour. Whisk constantly to avoid burning. If rue burns throw it out and start again. You want your rue to be almost a copper brown color. It should take a little over 5 minutes.
• Once you get your rue to the color you want add the milk while continuing to whisk constantly. Salt and pepper your sauce to your liking. When the mixture begins to boil you will notice your sauce will start to thicken. Once it is at the thickness you desire remove from heat immediately and add cheese, reserving about a 1/4 of a cup of cheddar.
• Drain macaroni and return to cooking pot. Combine cheese sauce with your macaroni. Pour macaroni and cheese into a 2 quart baking dish. Sprinkle bread crumbs and remaining cheese over top and bake for 35 minutes until a nice crust forms on the top.

Steps:

• Wash sliced leeks in a large bowl of cold water, agitating them, then lift out and drain well in a colander.
• Cook leeks, onion, carrot, celery, salt, and pepper in 4 tablespoons butter in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Peel potato and cut into ½-inch cubes, then add to onion mixture along with wine, stock, water, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until vegetables are tender, about 15 minutes.
• Stir in parsley and simmer soup, uncovered, 5 minutes. Discard bay leaf and keep soup at a bare simmer.
• Melt remaining 4 tablespoons butter in a 1-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, then add flour and cook roux, whisking, until golden, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and add 2 cups simmering stock (from soup), whisking vigorously (mixture will be thick), then whisk mixture into remaining soup and return to a simmer, whisking.
• Blend soup in 4 batches in a blender until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids), about 1 minute per batch, transferring to a 3- to 4-quart saucepan. Reheat if necessary, then season with salt and pepper.
• Beat cream in a bowl with an electric mixer at medium speed until it almost forms soft peaks. Serve soup topped with cream.