Eureka! Hubert Keller?s Macaroni and Cheese

Thank you Bravo Tv! A winning dish from the premier episode of Top Chef Masters, Hubert Keller’s macaroni and cheese with prawns (or shrimp) and mushrooms recipe, prepared by charming Top Chef Fabio Viviani from Café Firenze and chef Michael Demers of Veloce Cibo restaurant.

So, here is the big question, what is the difference between shrimp and prawns?  The answer is as clear as mud.  For a thoroughly confusing explanation from a scientist (including college flashback terms such as arthropods, ecoskeletons and Malaconstracans) read this.  Chowhound foodies discuss it with a bit more clarity here, and here is Wikipedia’s definition of prawns.  So the short answer is yes, there is a scientific difference, and more importantly cultural differences regarding what are referred to as shrimp or prawns.

The bottom line: can you use shrimp in this recipe? Yes! The mac and cheese recipe can be read here, and more Hubert Keller recipes are listed on his restaurant site, Fleur de Lys. Select Secrets of a chef, and go to recipes.

Hungry for more? Here is top Chef Alex Eusebio’s Macaroni and Cheese with white wine, bacon and 5 cheeses.

And last, but not least, we simply must mention Mario Batali, who we will see in Aspen!! Here’s a quick clip of him with Gwyneth discussing Mac and Cheese.