Macaroni & Cheese with Garlic-Herb Braid Bread

I found this recipe off of another blog and it looked so good.

4 to 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour
3 Tbsp sugar
2 pkg (1/4 oz each) quick-rise yeast
2 tsp dried basil
1 3/4 tsp dill weed
1 1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp garlic powder
3/4 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
3/4 cup 2% milk
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 egg
(1 Tbsp melted butter)

-in a large bowl, combine 1 1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and seasonings.
In a small saucepan, heat the milk, water, and butter over medium heat until butter is melted.
add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened.
add egg, beat until smooth
stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough

-turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 4-6 minutes.
(that was a fun part)
cover and let rest for 10 minutes

-divide dough into thirds. shape each into a 15 inch rope.
places ropes on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck under.
cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 25 minutes.

-bake at 375' form 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with melted butter. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool.

I think it probably had a little too much herb to it, but overall it was not bad. I would rate it a 5 for all the herbs. Tone down the herbs and it would be a 7.



Melt 1 tablespoon of margarine in a saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons of flour, 1 tablespoon onion powder (i didn't have onion powder so i added dried minced onions instead) and 2 teaspoons garlic powder. Slowly add 2 cups milk. Simmer the milk for 5 minutes, whisking occasionally.

Remove from heat and stir in 1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese, 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese and 2 cups cooked macaroni. ( I added more cheese because i wanted it extra cheesy and i cooked my macaroni al dente (just under perfect softness because it will cook more in the oven).)

Transfer to a greased baking dish and sprinkle with bread crumbs. Spray your bread crumbs with cooking spray and bake at 350 for 30 minutes.

This was my first homemade mac & cheese. I think it needed something else, maybe a little heat. i would rate this about a 6.