Southwestern-Style Macaroni and Cheese
- 3/4 cup dried elbow macaroni
- 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper
- 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
- 1/4 pound thickly sliced ham, chopped (about 1 cup)
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
- 2 ounces Monterey Jack, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
- 1 teaspoon minced pickled jalapeno pepper (wear rubber gloves)
- 1/3 cup finely crushed taco chips
- In a kettle of boiling salted water cook the macaroni for 10 to 12 minutes, or until it is al dente, drain it in a colander, and rinse it under warm water.
- While the macaroni is cooking, in a large saucepan cook the bell peppers and the ham in the oil over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to low, add the flour, and cook the mixture, stirring, for 3 minutes.
- Stir in the milk and the yogurt, bring the mixture to a boil, stirring, and simmer it, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes.
- Add the Monterey Jack and the jalapeno pepper and cook the mixture over moderately low heat, stirring, until the Monterey Jack is just melted.
- Add the macaroni and salt and pepper to taste and stir the mixture until it is combined well.
- Transfer the macaroni and cheese to a shallow flame-proof baking dish, sprinkle the taco chips over the top, and broil the macaroni and cheese under a preheated broiler about 2 inches from the heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the top is browned lightly.
macaroni, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, ham, vegetable oil, flour, milk, plain yogurt, monterey, jalapeno pepper, taco chips
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/southwestern-style-macaroni-and-cheese.html (may not work)