Baked Macaroni and Cheese

Ingredients:
1 pound dried, short pasta
generous pinch of salt
2 T butter
2 T all purpose flour
1 can (about 12 ounces) evaporated milk at room temperature
1 bay leaf
1/2 small onion, diced
2 1/2 cups grated cheese (or combination of cheeses - Select cheese that melts easily and evenly, like cheddar, jack, fontina, gorgonzola)
1 cup bread crumbs, mixed with 2 T melted butter

Variations: Add frozen peas, chopped leftover ham, roasted green chiles, chunks of cooked lobster, Worcestershire sauce, red pepper flakes, mustard, etc.

Another variation: Add 6 slices of bacon, cut into halves or thirds crosswise, to the water to boil the pasta and discard when the pasta is done.

Preparing the macaroni and cheese:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Bring a medium saucepan of water to a high, rolling boil.

In the meantime, liberally butter a ceramic or glass baking dish (8x8-inches is best). Lay out your ingredients: Dry pasta, butter, flour, evaporated milk, a bay leaf, diced onion, grated cheese(s) and buttery bread crumbs.

Set a second medium saucepan over a medium flame and melt the butter until just short of bubbling. Vigorously whisk in the flour and cook, whisking constantly, for 2-3 minutes, until it just begins to go faintly brown.

Quickly now, add the milk and stir. Next, add the bay leaf and diced onion. Cook for 10 minutes, stirring every minute or two. Bring just to the boiling point, but do not let it bubble. Reduce heat if necessary.

Meanwhile, your pasta water is boiling. Add the pasta and cook for about 9 minutes, until just short of done. The pasta will finish softening in the oven. Drain; do not rinse.

While your pasta drains, drop the heat under your bechamel to medium-low and stir in about three-quarters of the cheese and stir until melted. If you are using more than one kind of cheese, stir until the sauce is a uniform color and texture.

Off goes the heat, out comes the bay leaf and in goes the pasta. Stir thoroughly until completely coated. If you're adding anything to your dish, stir it in. Scoop the mixture into your well-buttered baking dish. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top, then the butter-soaked bread crumbs. Place into the oven without delay. Bake 25 minutes.

Check on it in the oven to assess whether the top layer is sufficiently browned. If it is, take the baking dish out of the oven. If it is not, broil for 3-5 minutes until crispy brown spots begin to appear on the surface of your dish.

Serves 4 to 6