[Xmas] Pigs in Blankets Mac 'N' Cheese

Preheat the oven to 220°C/ 200°C (fan)/ gas 7 and boil a full kettle

Peel and finely chop your brown onion[s]

Add your pigs in blankets to a baking paper-lined baking tray and put in the oven for 15-20 min or until golden brown and cooked through (no pink meat!)

Add your macaroni to a pot of boiled water and bring to the boil over a high heat

Cook the macaroni for 7-9 min or until cooked with a bite

Once done, drain the macaroni and set aside until later, reserving 150ml [200ml] [250ml] starchy pasta water

Heat a large, wide-based pan (preferably non-stick) with a knob of butter over a medium-high heat

Once melted, add the chopped onion with a pinch of salt and cook for 6-7 min or until softened and lightly golden

Tip: Add a splash of cold water if is starts to burn!

Meanwhile, peel and finely chop (or grate) your garlic

Grate your cheddar cheese

Once the onion has softened, add 1 tbsp [1 1/2 tbsp] [2 tbsp] flour with half your ground paprika and half the chopped garlic (you'll use the rest later!)

Stir with a wooden spoon for 1-2 min or until the onion is completely coated

Gradually whisk 100ml [150ml] [175ml] milk, the reserved starchy pasta water and your chicken stock mix into the cooked onion and cook, stirring occasionally, for 4-5 min or until thickened

Combine your panko breadcrumbs, remaining chopped garlic and remaining ground paprika in a large bowl with a drizzle of olive oil – these are your breadcrumbs

Once the sauce has thickened, stir through the grated cheddar and season with a pinch of salt and a good grind of black pepper – this is your cheese sauce

Once cooked, reserve one pig[s] in blanket[s] per person and finely chop the rest

Add the chopped pigs in blankets and cooked macaroni to the cheese sauce and mix it all together, then transfer to an oven-proof dish (or two!), top with the breadcrumbs (reserve the bowl) and remaining whole pig[s] in blanket[s]

Tip: Use individual dishes for fancy presentation!

Put the dish[es] in the oven for 10-12 min or until golden and bubbling – this is your pigs in blankets mac 'n' cheese

Whilst the mac 'n' cheese is cooking, wash your salad and pat dry with kitchen paper

Wipe out the reserved large bowl and add a drizzle of olive oil with your cider vinegar and a pinch of salt, pepper and sugar and whisk together

Add the salad and toss