Baked Macaroni and Cheese Balls

The other night, Kerry insisted I make Macaroni and Cheese. I've made it so many times that I could make it with my eyes closed. Being An Eclectic Chef, I decided to try something new. Therefore, I made a Slow Cooker Macaroni and Cheese. You may find the recipe here. It was delicious, creamy and cholesterol loaded (don't tell my doctor). However, the recipe was enough to feed an army. I had so many leftovers that, besides freezing it or eating it everyday, I needed to figure out something to do with it.

As a side to tonight's dinner, I made this Baked Macaroni and Cheese Balls. This is a perfect, easy-to-make appetizer for your family or to bring to a party. Serve it with your favorite sauce (I served it with homemade Spicy Thousand Island Dressing - see below). It will be a BIG HIT! (Kerry loved it!)

Ingredients

1 tablespoon Canola Oil
1 ½ - 2 cups leftover (very cold) Macaroni and Cheese
1 cup of All Purpose (unbleached) Flour
½ cup Panko Bread Crumbs
½ cup Seasoned Bread Crumbs
2 Eggs (beaten) - please note, I only buy free range eggs (it is my gift to the chickens)
2 teaspoons Kosher Salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground Black Pepper
2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons Hungarian Paprika

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees (fahrenheit).

Evenly spread a cookies sheet with 1 tablespoon Canola Oil.

In separate bowls prepare the following: Bowl One - Mix together 1 cup of flour, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon Hungarian paprika, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper. Bowl Two - 2 eggs (beaten). Bowl three - Mix together ½ cup of Panko Bread Crumbs, ½ cup of Seasoned Bread Crumbs, 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon Hungarian paprika, 1 teaspoon Kosher salt, ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.

Using a tablespoon or a small ice cream (cookie dough) scoop, make 1 ½ inch to 2 inch balls with the very cold Macaroni and Cheese.

Coat the ball of Mac and Cheese in the flour mixture coating all sides. (I use my left hand for the dry and the right hand for the wet.)

Shake off the excess flour and dip the flour covered Mac and Cheese ball in the beaten eggs. Make sure you cover all sides.

Using your "dry hand," dip the egg covered ball in the bread crumb mixture. (Shake off the excess bread crumbs.)

Place the coated ball on the oiled cookie sheet.

Repeat until you get 12 coated Macaroni and Cheese balls.

Place the cookie sheet in the preheated oven for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, carefully flip the balls using tongs or two spoons.

Place the cookie sheet back in the oven and bake for 10 more minutes.

Serve with your favorite dipping sauce. (See below for my Spicy Thousand Island Dressing.)

Spicy Thousand Island Dressing

Ingredients

½ cup real (and good) mayonnaise
¼ cup of ketchup
1 finely diced dill pickle
1 tablespoon Siracha sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

Combine the above ingredients in a bowl and serve.