I had a ton of prepared box mac and cheese leftover from a white trash gathering. I was torn about what to do with this surplus of processed pasta- toss it or save it for leftovers? I rarely toss anything, but I also rarely have box macaroni and cheese in my house now that I am almost entirely down with scratch cookin'. I got to thinking about how white trash box mac & cheese really is. It's not quite as trashy as say sardines or potted meat and saltines, but it's close.
Are you gettin' upset that I think box mac & cheese is white trashery? You know why? Odds are that's 'cause no matter your present socio-economic status, you gots you some white trash roots and a hankering for some sticky, orange, processed mac & cheese.
What wonderful recipe could I create for my family with this bounty? I thought of making some taco mac or chili mac? Hell, I was even going to subject them to some tuna mac when it hit me. Why not make the mac & cheese thicker, roll it into some balls, bread those balls, and fry that up white trash county fair style? Yeah, I felt like I was winning just because I managed to integrate balls into my cookin' and anytime frying happens, I know some fatty, nasty goodness will follow.
I imagine these would also do well as a side. I think the shock value of serving them thataway merits at least one appearance on your dinner menu. We ate them as an appetizer with an array of dipping sauces- ketchup, barbecue sauce, cranberry mustard, and good old ranch dressing, too. I had a crowd of eight folks, adults and Littles, and everyone, after getting over the idea of a friend mac & cheese ball, LOVED them.
I can't wait to make these for my richie friends who think roughing it is driving (instead of flying) to Disney World. They love experiencing the fat, greasy underbelly of white trash culture and fried mac & cheese balls is as white trash as you can get. You're welcome.
Peace, B.
You'll need the following ingredients to make eight nice sized balls*:
2 cups prepared box mac and cheese
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup flour
1/3 cup milk
2 eggs
1 cup flour
1 cup bread crumbs**
oil for frying
*I said "nice shaped balls."
**I used Progresso brand Italian style, but you can use whatever you like. I will most definitely use panko next time with spices.
Measure out your mac & cheese and place it in the fridge so it'll be nice and cold.
Melt the butter over medium heat.
Sprinkle in flour.
Mix well, scraping the bottom of the pan to avoid sticking.
Add the milk to the pan whlile stirring.
You'll end up with this crumbly mass of awesome-ness. Remove from heat.
Mix in the cold mac and cheese.
Place the mixture in the freezer or fridge to get really, really cold (but not frozen). It will be super sticky.
Place flour, eggs, and bread crumbs into three bowls while you heat up the oil.
Take about 1/4 cup mac & cheese mixture and roll into a ball. Really smoosh everything together, so it sticks.
Roll the mac & cheese ball in flour. Make sure you cover the whole surface.
Coat with egg. Be sure too cover the whole surface of the ball or else the bread crumbs won't stick.
Coat in bread crumbs.
Place breaded balls in hot oil. Fry on all sides until dark brown.
Drain off the oil. I use newspaper generally because I don't buy paper towels.
Serve hot with a variety of dipping sauces.
