Maccaroni and Cheese

Recipe & Photo by Paul Muehlberg/Contributing Writer

• 3 ounces kettle style potato chips • 1 tablespoon melted butter • 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese, (approximately 1/8 cup) • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves (½ tsp if using dried) • 1 pound casarecce pasta or your preferred pasta shape • 5 tablespoons butter, divided • 4 large shallots, finely chopped • Kosher salt as needed • ¼ cup all purpose flour • 1 quart whole milk • freshly ground black pepper, as needed • 1 teaspoon ground mustard • 4 ounces aged white cheddar, grated (approximately 2 cups) • 12 ounces gruyere cheese, grated (approximately 4 cups) • 5 tablespoons butter, divided With Mother’s Day and Memorial Day potlucks and picnics in full swing, it’s time to pull out my tried ‘n’ true Mac ‘n’ Cheese recipe. Our family tradition for both of these holidays is to pick up a bucket of chicken from KFC; everyone brings a side, and we head to Lake Ponca for lunch and a day in the sun.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pulse the potato chips in a food processor to a sandy texture about 10-15 seconds. Add 1 tablespoon of the melted butter, parmesan and the thyme. Pulse to combine about 2-3 pulses.

In a large pot of salted boiling water, add the pasta and cook to al dente according to package directions. Drain pasta and rinse under cold water.

Set a large heavy bottomed pot under medium heat and melt 5 tablespoons of the butter. Add the shallots and a pinch of salt. Sweat the shallots over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes or until the edges are just beginning to brown. Stir in the flour and the ground mustard. Cook for two minutes. Slowly whisk the milk into the flour and slowly heat to a gentle simmer. Remove from the heat and add the cheddar and gruyere cheeses. Stir until smooth and the cheese is fully melted. Salt and pepper to taste. (you may not need any salt depending on the saltiness of your cheese). Add the pasta and stir until well combined. Transfer to a baking dish and sprinkle the top with the potato chip topping. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the pasta is bubbly and the top is golden brown.

Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time : 60-75 minutes Servings: 6

Story Contributed by Dr. Margaret Bowman

“Go, baby, go.” The Oklahoma State University Alumni Association – Kay County Chapter is bringing back a Kentucky Derby-inspired fundraiser event to Kay County. “Jockeys and Juleps” is a scholarship fundraising event that directly benefits Kay County high school seniors. On May 1, this outdoor event will be held at the Marland Mansion starting at 3:30 p.m. Regular tickets to the event are $50 per person. “Jockeys and Juleps” will highlight the Kentucky Derby atmosphere with an afternoon of entertainment, Kentucky-inspired heavy hors d’oeuvres, traditional derby beverages and airing of the 147th Kentucky Derby races. The OSU Alumni Association – Kay County Chapter’s primary mission is to generate funds to provide scholarships to local high school seniors who plan to attend Oklahoma State University. Our local chapter, formed in 2004, has awarded $16,000 in scholarships to area seniors representing every high school in Kay County. Recently, our organization has increased the number of scholarships awarded each year. Numerous qualified and accomplished high school seniors apply for our scholarship that awards the student $2000 each year. “Jockeys and Juleps” will serve as the Kay County Chapter’s yearly fundraiser for scholarship funds. The goal is to generate enough proceeds to be able to provide each deserving applicant a scholarship award to support his/her education. On average, our local chapter has six to ten applicants from Kay County high schools each year. With an annual fundraiser such as “Jockeys and Juleps,” we hope to start awarding scholarships to every applicant starting with the 2022 senior class. We hope to #seeyouatthederby this May 1! Derby attire is optional. We will have awards for best hat for the ladies, tie or bowtie for the gentlemen and face mask at the event. Ladies' derby hats will be available for purchase at Liles & Company prior to the event. A portion of those proceeds will be directed to the Kay County scholarship fund. Regular and VIP tickets are available in person at Pioneer Veterinary Clinic, Liles & Company, Sugar Lips, Ponca City Chamber Office and from our board members: Amy Wilcox, Katie Liston, Dondi Rowe and Margaret Bowman. Tickets can also be purchased online at ORANGECONNECTION.org/jockeys. Follow our hashtags: #poncacityderby #jockeys&juleps