Mac ‘N’ Cheese with Bacon and More Cheese

Ingredients:

Kosher salt
1 pound elbow macaroni
4 cups milk
2 or 3 sprigs thyme
4 cloves garlic, smashed and divided
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
5 1/2 cups shredded sharp white Cheddar
Freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
4 slices bacon, cut crosswise into thin strips
1 large [...]

Mac and Jack Salad

Ingredients:

1 pound macaroni elbows or cavatappi corkscrew shaped hollow pasta
Salt
1 cup frozen corn, defrosted
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 small red onion, chopped
4 ribs celery, chopped
Black pepper
8-ounce brick Monterey pepper jack cheese, diced
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, eyeball it
1/4 cup extra-virgin [...]