Mac & Cheese with Braised Bacon Lardons and Smoked Bacon Chips
A union of tenderness, crunchiness, and tradition

This revamped Mac & Cheese celebrates the richness of the countryside: lardons slowly braised in milk and onion for a melt-in-the-mouth texture, a creamy cheese gratin, and crispy smoked bacon chips for an irresistible finishing touch.

Ingredients (serves 4)

For the smoked bacon chips:
50 g thinly sliced smoked bacon

For the braised lardons:
150 g lardons (bacon pieces)
1 sweet onion (such as white onion or Cévennes onion)
25 cl whole milk
1 knob of butter
White pepper
1 tablespoon unrefined sugar
1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder

For the Mac & Cheese:
300 g macaroni
50 cl veal velouté (veal sauce)
200 g mild cheddar cheese, grated (or cheddar + emmental mix)
100 g mozzarella, grated (for gratin)
Nutmeg
Breadcrumbs (for gratinating)

Preparation

1. Prepare the smoked bacon chips
   Fry the smoked bacon slices in a fryer or dry pan until crispy. Drain on paper towels and set aside.

2. Prepare the braised and caramelized lardons
   Finely slice the sweet onion.
   Blanch the lardons in boiling water for 30 seconds, then drain.
   In a saucepan, sauté the onion with butter without browning.
   Add the lardons and five-spice powder, cook for a few minutes.
   Pour in the milk and simmer gently for about 15 minutes until the milk thickens slightly and the lardons become very tender.
   Drain the lardons, reserving the cooking juice.

3. Caramelize the lardons
   In a small pan, make a caramel with the sugar. When golden, coat the lardons with the caramel. Set aside.

4. Cook the pasta
   Cook the macaroni in salted boiling water according to package instructions. Drain well.

5. Prepare the cheese sauce
   In a saucepan, make a white roux by melting butter and adding flour.
   Gradually whisk in the veal velouté and reserved lardon juice, then gently thicken. Strain if necessary.
   Off the heat, stir in the grated cheddar, season with white pepper and a pinch of nutmeg. Adjust seasoning if needed.

6. Assembly
   Mix the macaroni with the cheese sauce.
   Add the caramelized braised lardons and gently combine.

7. Gratin
   Pour everything into a gratin dish.
   Sprinkle with grated mozzarella and breadcrumbs.

8. Cooking
   Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 20 to 25 minutes until golden and bubbly.

9. Finishing touch
   Just before serving, decorate with the smoked bacon chips for a crispy finish.