MAKARONILAATIKKO (Macaroni and beef gratin)

Let’s go to Finland today! One of the great northern countries which has Russia, Norway and Sweden as neighbours! 

Did you know that it was a Swedish domination until the 1808’s war against Sweden? It was then conquered by Russia… You have to wait until 1917 for the country to finally gain its Independence…

The recipe I propose to you today is a classic casserole with an improbable name to say ! The Makaronilaatikko. Yes, I’ve told you;) You will find meat and pasta, (the macaroni which are not at all in Finland like the ones we all know), grated cheese and a pinch of curry and paprika

A kind of dish the Finnish children are very found of and I am certain that yours will be as well…

Wine pairing : Coteaux du Quercy(Red) from the South West.

300 g macaroni 

400 g minced beef

1 chopped onion

40 cl milk

2 eggs

1 tbsp curry

1 tbsp paprika

Grated cheddar + 30 g for the sauce

Preheat your oven to 200 °C.

Cook the macaroni in a large volume of boiling water for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, soften the onion in a saucepan with a little bit of sunflower oil.

Add the meat, curry and paprika. 

Cook for a further 10 minutes.

Add the cooked pasta and combine well.

In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk and cheddar.

Put the meat preparation in a lined baking dish.

Pour over the eggs mixture and top with the cheddar.

Put in the oven for 25 minutes.

Gratin de macaroni à la viande finlandais

Pour 4 personnes 

300 g de macaroni 

400 g de viande hachée de bœuf

1 oignon émincé 

40 cl de lait

2 œufs

1 cuillère à soupe de curry

1 cuillère à soupe de paprika

Cheddar râpé + 30 g pour l’appareil

Préchauffez votre four à 200 °C.

Cuisez les pâtes pendant 10 minutes.

Pendant ce temps, blondissez l’oignon dans une large poêle avec un petit peu d’huile neutre.

Ajoutez la viande, le curry et le paprika. 

Poursuivez la cuisson pendant 10 minutes.

Ajoutez les pâtes cuites et mélangez.

Dans un bol, battez le lait avec les œufs et le cheddar râpé.  

Déposez la préparation de viande dans un plat à gratin préalablement beurré.

Versez par-dessus le mélange liquide.

Ajoutez du cheddar sur le dessus.

Enfournez pendant 25 minutes.