Spicy Macaroni and Brie With Crab

Manami's Note:

Trying new mac and cheese recipes is always fun! This one fits the bill perfectly. :yummy: You'll love the flavor of the caramelized onion combined with creamy Brie cheese and the succulent crabmeat.:) The Brie cheese melts seamlessly into the sauce and the crisp bread crumb topping creates a beautiful contrast. This swanky mac and cheese was served to me by my friend Kerline and she added her personal Haitian touch to the dish! She served steaks done on the grill, this nice dish with a wonderful green salad - greens of all kind - with a champagne vinaigrette. The Haitian touch consisted of adding a Scotch Bonnet pepper (but it was taken out right at the exact moment),some hot sauce and a few things I wasn't able to figure out. Kerline wasn't being mean but these are her personal touches. ;) Recipe source Better Homes and Gardens.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 10 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 55 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 8 Individ ...

• nonstick cooking spray
• 1 medium sweet onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1 lb dried medium shell pasta
• 1 small scotch bonnet pepper (whole with at least two slits)
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• hot sauce (as desired)
• 3 cups milk
• 1 lb brie cheese, trimmed and chopped (reserve 8 small wedges for topping)
• 12 ounces lump crabmeat, drained, flaked, and cartilage removed (2 cans of 6 oz each or fresh, if desired)
• 3 slices firm white bread, torn into large pieces

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350º F.
2. Lightly coat eight 14-to 16-ounce individual baking dishes with cooking spray; set aside.
3. In large skillet cook onion in butter over medium-low heat about 15 to 20 minutes or until tender and golden brown, stirring occasionally.
4. Meanwhile, cook pasta in 4-quart Dutch oven according to package directions and add a whole Scotch Bonnet pepper pierced once or twice; drain and return to pan.
5. Add flour, salt, pepper & hot sauce (a couple of drops) to onion in skillet; stir until combined, about 1 minute. Add milk all at once. Cook and stir until slightly thickened and bubbly.
6. Gradually add chopped cheese; cook over medium-low heat until cheese melts. Stir into pasta. Fold in crab. Transfer to baking dishes.
7. Place bread pieces in food processor; cover and process to coarse crumbs. Sprinkle crumbs over pasta mixture.
8. Bake, uncovered, 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through and crumbs are golden brown. If desired, add a wedge of Brie to each dish the last 5 minutes of baking time.