The Sims - Mac and Cheese
I’d been wanting to do something from The Sims for a really long time. I’ve been a life long fan and have probably spent too much time with the virtual versions of my family than the real thing (I like them more, I can make them do whatever I want…). I love that there’s so much scope and as the series has gone on the amount of food you can cook just keeps increasing as does the relationship between food and the Sims in-game; you can have a vegetarian or someone who will only eat burnt hamburgers over a sink. So it was hard to pick an iconic food until someone mentioned that mac and cheese was, for them, the thing they remembered most about The Sims. It’s the one main meal you can cook from the very beginning and for most Sims will probably be their staple food until the Grim Reaper comes for them. It’s a well known fact that I’m completely addicted to mac and cheese, I probably eat it at least once a week (sometimes three) and I blame this addiction on the fact that I couldn’t eat cheese for years until finally some smart people figured out how to remove the lactose from the cheese (thank you, food scientists, I owe you my happiness). This is a family recipe that I’ve improved on over the years and it’s always perfect when you just want to gorge on something and get that ‘warm-fuzzies’ feeling.
What you will need:
A non-stick pot, a large pot and a deep tray or casserole dish, baking paper or tinfoil.
Ingredients:
250g Macaroni
40g Butter
2 Tablespoons Flour
350ml - 500ml Milk
120g Cheese(s) - I use a mild cheddar
½ Teaspoon English Mustard
Salt & Pepper
Breadcrumbs
Making the Mac and Cheese:
- Prep your tray or casserole dish by lining it with baking paper or tin foil - this will save you tears when it comes to washing up.
- Boil some water in a large pot and cook the macaroni for about 6-8 minutes.
- Once cooked, remove from the water, strain, pour into the prepared tray/dish and set aside.
- Preheat the oven to 200C.
- Melt the butter in a non-stick pot on a high heat. Once melted add the flour a spoonful at a time and mix until the mixture comes together and it no longer sticks to the sides - the pot should look clean.
- Slowly add the milk, about 25ml at a time, and stir continually so as not to burn the sauce. You might not need all the milk or you may need more - once it is runny but still a little thick it’s perfect.
- Reduce the heat to medium and add the cheese (chop it into small pieces of grate it in and feel free to use as many cheeses as you like). Mix well until the cheese has melted.
- Add the mustard, season well with the salt and pepper and stir once again.
- Pour the mixture over the macaroni and mix until all the pasta is coated. Sprinkle on the breadcrumbs and put in the oven for around 20-25 minutes or until it is golden and crispy on top.
I like to demolish this dish with some home-made garlic bread so I recommend you do the same, seriously the only thing I can write is: NOMNOMNOM. Screw ambrosia, I’m sure it’s actually mac and cheese that’s the food of the Gods so getting your cooking skill to level 10 is such a waste of time. Spend it doing more constructive things like rooting in your neighbours trash can or playing a game (within a game - so meta).
Laugh...and grow Fat!
"Neglected emotions lead to catastrophic voyages to the other side" - Joe Duplantier
