FOOD NEWS
The Unanticipated Ingredient That Gives Boxed Mac And Cheese An Umami Boost
By Julia Mullaney
One of the best parts of boxed mac and cheese is that it's basic enough in its flavor that you can easily enhance it in other ways, depending on your mood.
If a salty, savory, umami boost of flavor is what you desire for your boxed mac and cheese dinner, all you need to do is add a little fish sauce to the mix.
Fish sauce's flavor is similar to that of Worcestershire, oyster, or soy sauce. Just a teaspoon elevates the whole dish's flavor without overpowering it.
Fish sauce also contains anchovies, so if you like Caesar salad and most barbecue sauces, you will enjoy anchovies' subtle flavor boost to your mac and cheese.
To add the fish sauce, cook the pasta as usual, and when it's time to add the butter and cheese, throw a teaspoon of fish sauce into the mix and taste the magic.