FANS:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MEMORIES:
surfer67 remembers...Loved this stuff when I was a kid. I remember mom making it, with mayby some fish sticks, and sometimes ... More »
Posted on 06/11/08
PHOTOS:
The history of the macaroni noodle is as slippery as a wet noodle. One legend has it that it was brought to Europe from China by the famed medieval traveler, Marco Polo. Another tale involves one Mister Thomas Jefferson. While he did not invent the macaroni noodle, he did bring over a macaroni maker after returning from his years as an American Ambassador to France. He was so fascinated by the noodles that he invented a pasta machine of his own. It would be many years later that the noodles would be commercially produced in the United States.
Recipes for the dish started showing up in print during the early 1800s. Its popularity as a homemade dish grew, though it took on a life of its own with the 1937 introduction of the Kraft Dinner. Soon after its introduction, America entered World War II. Many types of foods, like meat, milk and eggs were severely rationed, leading the easy-to-prepare box of noodles and powdered cheese to incredible popularity.
Now known in the States as Kraft Macaroni & Cheese, millions upon millions of boxes of the pasta are sold annually. Over the decades, the boxed form has undergone many improvements and changes. Other brands have popped up, as well as other non-tubular shapes, like the Mario Bros., the Flintstones, Bugs Bunny and Scooby Doo, as well as many others.
The homemade and boxed versions top the list of favorite comfort foods. Nearly every soul food or southern cook book include the tasty favorite, with slight variations between them. People have taken to adding other items, like chopped vegetables, meats, herbs, spices... even ketchup! But don't tell that to any macaroni and cheese purist. No matter how you like your noodles, there's nothing like sitting down to a bowl full of comfort.
