Reagan's Mac and Cheese

The Modesto Bee responds to a reader's request for Ronald Reagan's recipe for his all-time favourite dish, Macaroni and Cheese. Here it is:

• Ingredients:

½ pound uncooked macaroni

1 tablespoon butter

1 egg, beaten

3 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, divided use

1 cup milk

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon dried Dijon mustard

½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

A pinch of paprika

• Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 2-quart casserole dish.

Add macaroni to 2 quarts of boiling salted water and cook for 10 minutes. Drain well in a colander. Transfer to a mixing bowl. Stir in butter and beaten egg. Add 2½ cups of the grated cheese.

In a small bowl, combine milk with salt, mustard and Worcestershire sauce. Spoon macaroni and cheese into the prepared casserole. Pour milk mixture over and sprinkle top with the remaining cheese. Sprinkle with paprika.

Bake on middle shelf of preheated 350 degree oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until macaroni is firm to the touch and the top is crusty and browned. Serve at once, either as a light entree accompanied by a hot green vegetable or as a side dish with meatloaf.

In related news, July is National Ice Cream Month, as proclaimed by President Reagan in 1984 alongside the establishment of African Refugees Relief Day.