Sydney's Macaroni Cheese Bake Recipe

“It’s common knowledge that macaroni and cheese is an all-time favourite. Sydney, however, has added a twist to his recipe and he has chosen to share it with you.”

— Jackie Cameron

Sydney Gwala's macaroni cheese bake with mince & chutney

Yields: 4 portions 

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius 

Ingredients:

• 4 litres of water

• 500g Macaroni 

• 2 teaspoons salt 

• 2 tablespoons salted butter 

• 2 tablespoons Sunfoil Sunflower oil

• 1 large onion Finely chopped 

• 86g yellow pepper 

• 103g red pepper (1 medium red pepper)

• Salt & black pepper to season 

• 1 tablespoon mixed spices 

• 673g Midlands mince 

• 100g Mrs HS Balls chutney 

• 500g Cheese, grated 

Method:

For pasta

1. Fill a large pot with water and salt (use an average of 1 litre of water and 2 teaspoons of salt to pasta.)

2. When the water is boiling, add pasta and stir to prevent the pasta from sticking. Cook for about 15 minutes.

3. When the pasta is cooked strain the pasta, run cold water onto the pasta and set aside. 

For Midlands mince 

1. Heat a pan with your oil and butter

2. Once your pan is hot add your onions and sauté for 2 minutes 

3. Stir in your yellow and red peppers at the same time and sauté well.

4. Add your mixed spice and season with salt and pepper 

5. Add your mince and fully incorporate with the onion and pepper mixture, allow mince to brown well. 

6. Lastly throw in your Mrs HS Balls Chutney and adjust your seasoning .

7. Once this is ready set aside  

Assembling Pasta Bake 

1. In a deep baking dish or tray start layering.

2. Start with pasta ,follow with mince mixture then your grated cheese, until you reach a desired height, top with cheese and bake in your preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius. 

Green Salad 

Ingredients:

• 121g mixed lettuce 

• 1/2 Cucumber cut into desired shape

• 105g yellow pepper cut in desired shape 

• 1 Pomegranate pearls 

• 100g Watermelon balls, you use a melon baller for this

• 1 lemon and zest 

• Pinch of salt 

• Crack of black pepper 

Method:

1. Wash the mixed lettuce leaves and place on a presentation bowl

2. Place your cucumber, watermelon balls and yellow pepper onto leaves in a presentable

3. Finish off with pomegranate pearls and fresh lemon juice and a bit of zest for that extra kick