Alan Basche crazy for pizza, mac & cheese
Fave Foods of the Famous
For TV and movie fans who can’t get enough of hunky heartthrob David Alan Basche, he’s starring with Debra Messing in “The Starter Wife,” beginning this fall on USA Network. You know Basche from his role on NBC’s “Lipstick Jungle,” as well as appearances on the shows “Three Sisters,” “Rescue Me,” “CSI: Miami” and “Law & Order.” On the big screen, he played the heroic Todd Beamer in “United 93,” and in “War of the Worlds” he stole Tom Cruise’s wife.
When not in front of the camera or on the stage, Basche is a dedicated humanitarian who works with a variety of charities, including Gilda’s Club, Actors for Autism and the Joyful Heart Foundation. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, actress Alysia Reiner. To learn more: www.usanetwork and www.davidalanbasche.com.
* * *
You’re starring in “The Starter Wife.” So, tell us about the first restaurant meal you had when you began dating your wife.
“Our very first restaurant meal was at a fancy place called ‘Cafe La Fraise,’ or something like ‘cafe raspberry’ in French, I think, in Vermont near the summer theater where we met. I chose the place, even though I could barely pay for it. Actually, it was her birthday, and I was really nervous and I ordered champagne, which really put me in debt. But hey, a smart, beautiful woman: You gotta woo her, right? As it turns out, she took pity on me and paid for dinner!”
It was humankind against the aliens in “War of the Worlds.” What food do you like so much that you’d fight for it?
“They make a black olive and wild mushroom pizza at Abbot Kinney Pizza in Venice, Calif., that I would certainly murder aliens to get. Usually I go in for a slice and end up taking home a whole pie. And I’m a New Yorker, so you know it must be good, because New Yorkers really know their pizza.”
ALYSIA’S MAC & CHEESE
Basche says, “The favorite dish made by my favorite woman, my wife.”
Non-stick organic olive oil or canola spray
1 cup organic whole-wheat elbow macaroni
2/3 cups organic 1 percent milk
1 tablespoon organic butter or organic oil blend spread
Organic flour for thickness
1/2 cup each of three different organic cheeses of your choice
Salt and pepper
Additional spices depending on the cheese used: oregano, garlic, rosemary, etc.
Fresh bread or cracker crumbs
Secret ingredient: truffle oil.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside. Cook macaroni according to package instructions.
Add pinch of salt to the water. Drain and set aside. While macaroni is cooking combine milk, butter and flour in a large saucepan, whisking until blended, stirring constantly. Add half of cheese blend and keep whisking until melted and thickened.
Add macaroni and one half of remaining cheese. Add salt, pepper and spices to taste. Pour mixture into dish. Top with cheese and crumbs. Bake until bubbly and brown.
Remove from oven, allow to cool for 10 minutes. Drizzle with truffle oil before serving.