This tweet made me wonder, Mac and Cheese is a touchstone in the SE US/SideDish

[irisblue]

10. This American comfort food leads a double life - but only some of us know the secret. Do you?

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/living/food-drink/article184866748.html

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In black culture, for the most part, macaroni & cheese is the pinnacle, the highest culinary accolade. Who makes it, how it’s made and who’s allowed to bring it to a gathering involves negotiation, tradition and tacit understanding. It’s made from scratch and usually involves multiple kinds of cheese, secret touches (eggs and evaporated milk may be involved) and debates over toppings. It’s baked, and it’s a side dish, but it’s the side dish of honor, present at every important occasion.

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In white culture, for the most part, macaroni & cheese is certainly considered tasty – cheesy, comforting and filling. It’s also cheap, the kind of thing your mother pulled together on a weeknight to stretch the budget. You might make it from scratch for a filling meal, but it’s also so simple, any kid can make it: Tear open the box, boil the macaroni, dump in the powder, stir in the milk.

Macaroni & cheese on a holiday table would be as out of place as ripped blue jeans in church.

More at article