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Steamy Little Secrets

Honey-Mustard Glazed Steamed Mac and Cheese Bites with Panko Crunch

1 hour 15 minutes (plus chilling time)
Serves 4
AppetizerAmericanVegetarianNut-freeShellfish-freeSoy-free
Herb's take

American comfort food meets science fair: these mac bites are steamed, chilled, and crisped for a multi-texture adventure. You'll learn to mold mac and cheese into cubes worthy of a cheese lab, then finish them with panko crunch and a sticky-sweet honey mustard glaze.

Equipment needed
  • Steamer basket or rack
  • 8x8 inch baking pan
  • Nonstick skillet

Ingredients

Yield
4

Instructions

  1. 01
    Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil and cook the Velveeta shells according to package directions. Drain well.
  2. 02
    Return the drained shells to the pot. Add the cheese sauce packet, sharp cheddar cheese, whole milk, and unsalted butter. Stir over low heat until everything is fully melted and creamy.
  3. 03
    Let the mac and cheese cool for 10 minutes, then beat in the eggs thoroughly.
  4. 04
    Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment, leaving overhang for easy lifting. Spread the cheesy pasta mixture firmly and evenly into the pan, pressing down with a spatula.
  5. 05
    Set up a steamer (or improvise with a rack in a large pot). Steam the pan of mac mixture, covered, for 20 minutes over gently simmering water.
  6. 06
    Remove from the steamer and let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours, or until fully chilled and firm.
  7. 07
    Once fully chilled, lift the mac and cheese slab out of the pan and cut into 16 even cubes.
  8. 08
    In a small bowl, whisk together the yellow mustard and honey until smooth. Set aside.
  9. 09
    Place the panko breadcrumbs in a shallow dish. Roll each mac cube in the honey-mustard glaze, then coat thoroughly in panko.
  10. 10
    Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the coated cubes in batches, turning to brown all sides until crisp and golden, about 2 minutes per side.
  11. 11
    Transfer the bites to a paper towel-lined plate and immediately drizzle a little extra honey-mustard glaze on top. Sprinkle with chives before serving.
  12. 12
    Serve warm as an appetizer. Marvel at the layers of crunchy, creamy, cheesy, and tangy in every bite.

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