Dungeness Crab Mac and Cheese

Name: Dungeness Crab Mac and Cheese
Yield: serves 4
Ingredients: 6 ounces penne; 1/2 pound cooked lump crabmeat, preferably Dungeness, rinsed and drained (1 1/2 cups); 5 tablespoons unsalted butter; 1 cup roughly chopped cauliflower; 1 ear fresh corn, kernels removed, or 2/3 cup frozen corn kernels; 3 tablespoons roughly chopped celery (about 1 rib); 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1 teaspoon capers, drained; Dash of cayenne pepper; 1/8 teaspoon chili powder; Dash of turmeric; 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour; 1 1/2 cups Crab Stock (page 232); 1 tablespoon pale dry sherry; 1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 6 ounces semihard cheese (page 23), shredded (1 1/4 cups); 1 ounce hard cheese (page 23), chopped (3 tablespoons); 3 tablespoons fresh bread crumbs

December 22, 2011

THIS IS A TRULY DECADENT DISH, but you won’t want to save it for special occasions. Adding another Pacific Northwest flavor to our classic mac and cheese was easy; the base is a cheese sauce made from flavorful crab stock, and cauliflower balances the sweet crab flavor.

Recipe notes

Rosemary and Dried Cherry Pork Chops

Rehydrating dried cherries in hot water turns them plump and juicy—exactly what you want scattered throughout a rosemary-scented pan sauce for pork chops.

Brussels Sprout Pasta

This brussels sprout pasta recipe taps nutty brown butter, crunchy pecans, and hot Italian sausage to create an easy dinner bursting with fall flavors.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Frijoles Peruanos (Peruvian Refried Beans)

Mayocobas, or canary beans, are the quick-cooking pantry ingredient you should know about.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

French Silk Pie

A no-bake Oreo crust, a rich chocolate filling, and a tower of whipped cream come together in this shut-the-room-up dessert.