Happy Thanksgiving, pumpkins. I hope you're surrounded by family and friends, delicious food and the spirit of thankfulness.

I'm thankful for many things -- my crazy family, my wonderful, silly, patient husband, my health, and I'm thankful for you. It's a great honor to be able to do what I love every day and I have you to thank for it. So thank you.

Are you hosting Thanksgiving dinner this year? If so, good luck. And remember, if you give your guests enough to drink, no one will notice (or mind) any culinary hiccups along the way.

While I'll be leaving the turkey to the pros, I'll be taking a stab at Martha Stewart's Perfect Macaroni and Cheese recipe. I'm pretty sure mac-n-cheese is a southern tradition for Thanksgiving, but it's a tradition worth spreading far and wide. And if you read the history of mac-n-cheese (or crack-n-cheese as it's so deservingly called), it seems appropriate today. Here's to both old traditions and starting new ones.

Wishing you lots of love and elastic waistbands xx,
Kelly

Perfect Macaroni and Cheese

Serves 12

6 slices good-quality white bread, crusts removed, torn into 1/4- to 1/2-inch pieces
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for dish
5 1/2 cups milk
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
4 1/2 cups (about 18 ounces) grated sharp white cheddar
2 cups (about 8 ounces) grated Gruyere or 1 1/4 cups (about 5 ounces) grated pecorino Romano
1 pound elbow macaroni

1. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside. Place bread pieces in a medium bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Pour butter into the bowl with bread, and toss. Set the breadcrumbs aside. In a medium saucepan set over medium heat, heat milk. Melt remaining 6 tablespoons butter in a high-sided skillet over medium heat. When butter bubbles, add flour. Cook, stirring, 1 minute.

2. Slowly pour hot milk into flour-butter mixture while whisking. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick.
3. Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, 3 cups cheddar, and 1 1/2 cups Gruyere or 1 cup pecorino Romano. Set cheese sauce aside.

4. Fill a large saucepan with water. Bring to a boil. Add macaroni; cook 2 to 3 fewer minutes than manufacturer's directions, until outside of pasta is cooked and inside is underdone. (Different brands of macaroni cook at different rates; be sure to read the instructions.) Transfer the macaroni to a colander, rinse under cold running water, and drain well. Stir macaroni into the reserved cheese sauce.

5. Pour the mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle remaining 1 1/2 cups cheddar and 1/2 cup Gruyere or 1/4 cup pecorino Romano; scatter breadcrumbs over the top. Bake until browned on top, about 30 minutes. Transfer dish to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes; serve.

Photo and inspiration via Smitten Kitchen and the The NYT blog Bitten