Over-the-Rainbow Macaroni and Cheese
Patti La Belle’s Five-Cheese Hot Dish

By Patti La Belle

Ingredients

1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound elbow macaroni
8 tablespoons (1 stick) plus 1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Muenster cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded mild cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (2 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack
2 cups half-and-half
1 cup (8 ounces) Velveeta, cut into small cubes
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter a deep 2 and a half quart casserole.

2. Bring a large pot of slated water to a boil over high heat. Add the oil, then the elbow macaroni, . and cook until the macaroni is just tender, about 7 minutes. Do not overcook. Drain well. Return to the cooking pot.

3. In a small saucepan, melt 8 tablespoons of the butter. Stir into the macaroni. In a large bowl, mix the Muenster, mild and sharp cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses. To the macaroni, add the half-and-half, 1 and a half cups of the shredded cheese, the cubed Velveeta, and the eggs. Season with the salt and pepper.

4. Transfer to the buttered casserole. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/2 cup cheddar cheese and dot with the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter.

5. Bake until it's bubbling around the edges, about 35 minutes. Serve hot.

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Patti's Potato Salad
From Patti LaBelle's Labelle Cuisine: Recipes to Sing About

Ingredients

3 pounds red-skinned potatoes (20 potatoes), well scrubbed
6 large eggs, hard-cooked
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
2 medium celery ribs, finely chopped
2 teaspoons celery seed
2/3 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons yellow mustard
3 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
salt
freshly ground black pepper
paprika

Directions

1. Place the potatoes in a large pot and add enough salted water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until tender, but not mushy, about 20 minutes. Be sure they are cooked! Pour out most of the water and place the pot in the sink. Run cold water over the potatoes for about 2 minutes, or until cool enough to handle. Drain well.

2. Peel the potatoes and cut them into 1/2 inch cubes. Place in a large bowl. Chop 4 hard-cooked eggs and add to the potatoes, along with the red onion, green pepper, and celery. Sprinkle with the celery seed. Gradually stir in the mayonnaise, mustard, and relish (wear rubber or plastic gloves and use your hands, if you wish), being careful not to smash the potatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Transfer to a large serving bowl. Slice the 2 remaining hard-cooked eggs. Arrange the slices on top of the salad and sprinkle with paprika. Serve immediately, or cool, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until chilled, at least 2 hours.

Makes 8-12 servings

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