All Over Albany

Macaroni and cheese at Hattie's

Mmmmmmm. Macaroni and cheeeeeese.

There is virtually nothing good for you on the menu at Hattie's.

Alright, we'll give you the rice and beans -- but other than that there is pretty much nothing good for you on the menu. Even the vegetables are fried.

But Hattie's isn't a place you go if you want a salad. For some folks it's the place to go when they want southern fried chicken, home made hush puppies, dumplings or fried okra. For us, it's the place to go for rich, creamy, artery-clogging-good macaroni and cheese.

The ingredients in Hattie's macaroni and cheese are simple enough: macaroni, extra sharp cheddar, butter, heavy cream. Nutmeg and bay leaf are as fancy as it gets.

Still, macaroni and cheese is one of those things that sounds simpler than it is. Sometimes it's too soupy, but more often it comes out like a brick. At Hattie's the consistency is just right. The macaroni isn't swimming in cheese. There's just enough to make it tasty and to help it hold together. Add chicken -- fried, of course (you can also pick andouille sausage). Top it off with crumbled home made biscuits and more cheese.

Is it your basic cardiologist's nightmare? Sure. But we all have to go some time. And we're thinking there are worse ways than death by macaroni and cheese.

Seriously, Hattie's macaroni and cheese is a "once in a while meal" that's ideal for cold winter nights. You know, like the ones we're having now. But don't wait too long. You can only get the mac and cheese from October through April.

Not looking to brave the cold? Chef Jasper has the recipe on Hattie's website, so you can try it at home. We're not sure it will be the same with out Hattie's homemade biscuits on top, but it's worth a shot. Oh, and hey -- we're free for dinner. We're just sayin'.