Cook with Chef Ashley Christensen 🧀

Recipe: Ashley Christensen’s Pimento Mac and Cheese Custard

Chef Ashley Christensen's Pimento Mac and Cheese.

This creamy, gooey dish is perfect for freezing and reheating. | Photo by Lauren Vied Allen

‘Tis the season for warm gingerbread cookies, spiked eggnog, and time in the kitchen spent making memories that will last a lifetime. Enter: Chef Ashley Christensen, the creative force behind AC Restaurants, with her mouthwatering recipe for Pimento Mac and Cheese Custard and a bonus recipe for Herbed Béchamel.

The baked custard-style mac — a local favorite at Beasley’s Chicken + Honey — bridges two classic comfort dishes with the addition of tangy pimentos. Plus, it’s perfect for holiday cooking prep. “This mac can be made in advance and suffers no compromise in quality,” chef Ashley told RALtoday.

This spin on a comforting classic is based on her mom’s holiday Crock-Pot mac and cheese — a Thanksgiving staple that’s been brought to the family’s table for about a decade.

“The romance of this dish for me is based on the memory from childhood of eating at the K&W Cafeteria,” chef Ashley said. “It’s almost hard to think of it without imagining turnip greens swimming in pepper vinegar, a fried chicken dark meat quarter, and a piece of coconut cream pie waiting in the back corner of my buffet tray.”

Hungry yet? Here’s what you need to get started.

Pimento Mac and Cheese Custard

Makes 12 to 16 servings

Ingredients

Kosher salt
8 ounces elbow macaroni
8 ounces white cheddar cheese, shredded
4 ounces aged cheddar cheese, shredded
4 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated
1 cup jarred pimentos, chopped
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
6 large eggs
2 tablespoons hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
One 12-ounce can evaporated milk
1 cup half-and-half
8 cups Herbed Béchamel (a cream sauce)*

Pro tip: Use freshly-grated cheese (rather than pre-grated packed cheese) for a creamier and meltier dish.

Now that you’ve gathered your ingredients, it’s time to preheat the oven.

LET'S GET COOKING

What are you bringing to your holiday table?

A. Mac and cheese, of course.
B. Stuffing all the way.
C. Mashed potatoes and gravy.
D. Veggies.
E. I’m tackling the turkey.
F. Pies pies pies.
G. Count me out for cooking.

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Monday, Nov. 21

Karaoke on the 2nd Floor | Monday, Nov. 21 | 8-11 p.m. | Raleigh Beer Garden, 614 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh | Free | Grab a cold beer and sing your heart out.

Tuesday, Nov. 22

Bands at Brookside Bodega | Tuesday, Nov. 22 | 5-8 p.m. | Brookside Bodega, 1000 Brookside Dr., Ste 119, Raleigh | Free | Listen to live music by Heather Rogers + enjoy tasty bites and brews on the patio.

Wednesday, Nov. 23

North Carolina Symphony - The Polar Express | Wednesday, Nov. 23 | 4 p.m. | Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts, 2 E. South St., Raleigh | $29 | Paintings from the book “The Polar Express” will appear on a screen above the stage as baritone Scott MacLeod and a chorus of children join the Symphony to bring this magical holiday tale to life.
Arizona Coyotes vs. Carolina Hurricanes | Wednesday, Nov. 23 | 7 p.m. | PNC Arena, 1400 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh | $28-$275 | Cheer on the Canes at home.

Thursday, Nov. 24

The Gonza Table | Thursday, Nov. 24 | 8-10 a.m. | A Place at the Table, 300 W. Hargett St., Raleigh | Free | A Place at the Table and Gonza Tacos are partnering to serve hot chocolate and breakfast tacos on Thanksgiving morning.

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

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The Ridge Wallet Black Friday sale is live

The Ridge wallet on a rocky, dark background.

You can’t go wrong with essentials made right. | Photo by The Ridge

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Weather

54º | Sunny | 1% chance of rain ☀️

Civic

Share your thoughts on housing and community development needs at a public hearing on Tuesday, Dec. 6, held during City Council’s evening meeting after 7 p.m. The ideas will help the City develop its Annual Action Plan for the 2023-2024 fiscal year. Sign up to speak in person by 5 p.m. the Monday before the meeting. 🏠

Biz

Whitley Law Firm is the first signed tenant in 1000 Social, the first of two 12-story office towers at The Exchange Raleigh. The Raleigh-based personal injury law firm will lease ~18,000 sqft on the tower’s second floor for its headquarters. 1000 Social broke ground in September and is expected to deliver office suites in 2024.

Real Estate

The former commuter rail system site, an old warehouse located on West Lane Street near Smoky Hollow, is for sale for $10.1 million. The Triangle Transit Authority bought the single-story building in 2005 for a commuter rail system, which failed to get federal support or funding. (The News & Observer)

Seasonal

On Sunday, Dec. 11, Santa Claus will be at The Willard’s rooftop bar to take photos with families (for free) from 1-4 p.m. After snapping some pics in front of downtown’s skyline, enjoy coffee, hot cocoa, or an adult beverage. 🎄
Time to get in the holiday spirit, Raleigh. Ready to supercharge your cheer? Enter: Downtown Raleigh. From local retailers, interactive light installations, and an outdoor skating rink, you can sip and stroll your way into the magic of the season.*

Feel Good

Gobble, gobble. The White House’s official National Thanksgiving Turkey and its alternate are moving to Raleigh. The NC broad-breasted white turkeys will settle in at NC State after today’s National Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation in Washington, D.C. 🦃

Try This

Striking out on weekend plans? Here’s an idea: Play some duckpin bowling, bocce, cornhole, and arcade games at Strike & Barrel while enjoying craft cocktails and beer from local distilleries and breweries. 🎳*

Eat

Need help preparing your Thanksgiving (or Friendsgiving) meal? Let Lowes Foods do the slicing and dicing for you with their Pick & Prep option.*

Health

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is here, which means it’s time to ask yourself a big question: keep your coverage, or change it? Fidelity Medicare Services can help. Fidelity’s licensed Medicare advisors provide customized advice based on your situation — and if you choose a new plan, they’ll help you enroll.*

Learn

Babbel — a premium, subscription-based language learning platform — is offering RALtoday readers up to 55% off subscriptions to learn a new language (in just three weeks). Choose from 14 languages and learn through bite-sized, 10-minute sessions that focus on everyday phrases + relevant topics. 🗺️ *

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It’s not too late to trot 👟

Trot your way to these 6 Thanksgiving runs

A couple running the Trophy Trot in turkey costumes.

This could be you at the Trophy Trot this Thursday. | Courtesy of Trophy Brewing Company

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Anne.

Editor’s pick: It makes sense that I wrapped up this newsletter next to a classic fried chicken sandwich and pickled cabbage slaw from BB’s Crispy Chicken. Chef Ashley’s fast-casual restaurant never disappoints. Pro tip: Remember to order your free side of sauce.

Missed Friday’s newsletter? Meet Ripken the bat dog and wide retriever.

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Editorial: Cat George, Anne Tate, Sarah Leonhardt, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

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