Macaroni and Cheese Recipe

I love mac and cheese, but just not that slimy stuff that comes out of a box.  What is the point of that?  Sure it is quick and easy, but it really tarnishes the good name of a good ol' mac and cheese.  I have to start and say that there was a time when I didn't like mac and cheese.  I used to have a phobia of melted cheese, if you can believe that!  For this macaroni and cheese I have to give some credit to my mum, as most of this recipe is hers.  Here is what you will need:

Elbow macaroni (as much as you like, because it always expands, but I don't know, 2 dry cups?)
2 cups of milk
2 or 3 teaspoons of flour
about 2 cups of your favourite shredded cheese (I like marble, because it pleases both myself and Sylvia, but you can also use about a cup of really old and stinky cheddar cheese and a cup of mozzarella)
2+2 tablespoons of butter
some chopped up cooked ham
one shallot (or any other small onion), loosely chopped up
bread crumbs
squirt of mustard
Couple of dashes of Worcestershire Sauce
salt and pepper

Prepare the macaroni as stated on its package.  In the mean time put 2 tablespoons of butter in a sauce pan and warm over medium heat until the pot is warm.  Coat about a cup and a half the shredded cheese with the flour then add to the pot with a little salt and lots of pepper.  Whisk constantly until the sauce starts to thicken and then reduce the heat and add a squirt of mustard and the Worcestershire sauce.  Warm up frying pan with a little olive oil and fry the shallot until caramelized.

Put the drained macaroni into a casserole dish and mix in the onions, ham, and cheese sauce mixture.  Melt the remaining two tablespoons of butter and mix in with some bread crumbs until bead crumbs are moist, but not clumpy.  Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top of the macaroni and then sprinkle the bread crumbs on that.  Put the casserole into the oven at 350degF and cook until bubbling.  Enjoy :o)

Some alternatives:

-You don't have to limit your cheese to only two cups.  More cheese is always better ;)
-Replace the bread crumbs with some crumbled up regular potato chips (seems odd, but adds a nice touch)
-If you have any left over boiled potatoes, chop them up and mix them into the noodles.  My mother-in-law does that and it is surprisingly good
-Crumble up some blue cheese or gorgonzola and mix it into the noodles for some extra flavour
-Steam some broccoli and cauliflower, chop it up and add it to the macaroni to get your veggies with this dish.

-d