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1
In a large pot with salted water, boil the egg noodles half-way, roughly about 4 minutes.
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2
Drain and add into a large oven pan.
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3
Toss noodles in some olive oil so they won't stick.
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4
Season them with some grated pecorino-romano, whatever you like and toss.
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5
(Even eat them like that if you want -- hee hee.
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6
).
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7
In the meantime, heat a skillet with a few drops olive oil, and saute the onion, parsley, basil,ham and peppers for a few seconds.
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8
Add them to the noodles and toss around.
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9
Cut half of your mozzarella into chunks and place them into the noodle mixture so that when it is cooked you can bite into a mozzarella pocket.
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10
Grate the rest of the mozzarella and use for the topping later.
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11
For the bechamel: In a small saucepan on low to medium heat, melt half a stick of butter (okay maybe even 3/4 of a stick).
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12
Add enough flour to make a smooth paste.
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13
I never measure the flour part because I usually just let it form into a ball, BUT you don't want that here.
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14
I'd say about 4 tablespoons of flour should be enough.
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15
Add two cups of milk and stir till it thickens.
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16
BUT WAIT- Don't let it fully thicken because you will add some more grated cheese and half of your cheddar cheese into the bechamel.
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17
It should still be a bit milky when you remove it from the heat.
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18
NOW add half of your cheddar and stir it inches.
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19
Add some more grated parmesan (or whatever you like) and stir that in too.
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20
Season the bechamel with some pepper and parika.
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21
Pour the bechamel onto the noodles and toss around until evenly coated.
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22
The sauce should be velvety.
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23
Top with grated mozzarella and cheddar, more parmesan or whatever other grated cheese you have on hand, and some dried Greek oregano.
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24
Sprinkle some breadcrumbs and a few drops of olive oil and VOILA -- my mess!
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25
(That's what I should have called this recipe).
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26
Cover with aluminum foil and cook like that for about 30 minutes in a 375 degree oven.
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27
Then remove foil and cook for another 15 minutes until crust turns golden brown, or just put under the broiler for a few minutes.
