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Million-Dollar Mac ‘n’ Cheese

OK, not quite. But this is as far from a box of Kraft as it gets.

We’re talking mac ‘n’ cheese with lobster. Lots of lobster.

And it’s $59.

OK, did you pick yourself off the floor yet? Did you close your jaw back up? Pop your eyes back into their sockets?

This is the famous Port Clyde Lobster Mac & Cheese from the Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. that’s already been touted in the pages of the New York Times; and O, the Oprah Magazine.

The company was founded in 2000 in Maine by Cal Hancock, whose grandmother founded a lobster restaurant in 1946 in Ogunquit, Maine, which still remains in the Hancock family. The company now offers a wide variety of gourmet lobster and seafood products.

I was fortunate enough to receive samples recently of the Lobster Mac & Cheese, an extremely decadent rendition of the classic comfort dish.

To say that it’s rich is like saying Lady Gaga is an eensy bit flashy. But then again, there is not only cheddar mixed into the shell pasta, but mascarpone. Plus, the topping of panko bread crumbs gets a good dose of herb butter, lemon zest and Parmesan.

One serving has 650 calories. Hey, it could be worse.

It comes in two sizes: A 2.5-pound casserole ($59) or a package of two (9-ounce each) containers ($33.95).

They are shipped frozen. Defrost them in the refrigerator the night before, then heat in the oven at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes for the individual servings or 35-40 minutes for the large size. Although the lobster mac comes in its own oven-safe container, I opted to transfer mine to a slightly larger casserole dish just so there was ample room for heat to circulate and create even more crispy bits (my fave part).

What impressed me right off was that every forkful had lobster in it. This isn’t one of those chintzy lobster dishes where you eat it and think, “Uh, what’s supposed to be in here again?” Oh no, with this, you are reminded with every luscious bite of this quite wonderful and deeply satisfying dish.

Yes, it’s definitely rich in the stomach and in the pocketbook.

I don’t know if I’d spring for $59 mac ‘n’ cheese for myself on a regular basis, but it would make a divine gift sure to dazzle the taste buds of any lucky recipient.

You can try it for yourself at 10 percent off by using the promo code, “FoodGal4,” that’s good through June 29.

Another Pricey But Excellent Treat: Ad Hoc Cake Mix