Chef Dean Herkert Bistro on Notre Dame Mild cheeses mixed with nutmeg and brown-butter walleye amplify the nutty flavours of this creamy mac and cheese . To further develop that toasted taste , Chef Dean suggests searing cooked macaroni in the pan with the fish after the fillets turn white . Pair this pasta with local brew Barn Hammer 66 IPA .
Walleye Mac and Cheese
INGREDIENTS Walleye 4 walleye fillets 4 lemons , juiced and zested 1 / 2 Tbsp minced garlic 1 / 2 Tbsp salt 1 / 2 Tbsp pepper 1 / 2 cup butter ( for browning )
Macaroni 3 cups Nature ’ s Farm macaroni , uncooked 4-5 cups water 1 Tbsp salt
Cheese Sauce 1 cup ricotta 1 cup shredded Bothwell marble cheddar
Bechamel 2 Tbsp butter 2 Tbsp spelt flour 2 Tbsp cauliflower flour 1 / 2 tsp nutmeg 1 / 2 tsp minced garlic 1 / 2 tsp minced onion pinch of salt and pepper 1 / 8 cup Barn Hammer 66 IPA
1 / 8 cup cream 2 cups whole milk
Bread Crumble 4 Tbsp bread crumbs 4 Tbsp shredded Bothwell parmesan 2 tsp dried parsley
METHOD Walleye 1 . Dice walleye and place in container with lemon juice and zest , garlic , salt and pepper . 2 . Let marinate for 20 minutes to overnight .
Bechamel 1 . Put equal parts butter , spelt flour and cauliflower flour in a sauce pan and start to brown . 2 . Add nutmeg , salt , pepper , garlic and onion . 3 . Cook until a roux develops . 4 . Deglaze the pot with Barn Hammer 66 IPA .
5 . Add cream and milk . Blend until smooth . 6 . Bring to a low boil and let simmer .
Macaroni 1 . Place macaroni into boiling water with salt and cook until desired tenderness . 2 . Drain .
Bread Crumble 1 . Combine bread crumbs and parmesan . 2 . Mix in parsley .
Final Preparation 1 . Pre-heat oven to 350 °. 2 . In a skillet with butter , add marinated walleye and heat until browned . 3 . Add macaroni , bechamel and ricotta . 4 . Heat until sauce , noodles and cheese are incorporated . 5 . Add shredded cheddar and mix . 6 . Transfer into an oven-safe bowl and top with bread crumble . 7 . Heat in oven for about 2 1 / 2 minutes or until topping is browned .
Yield 4 servings
14 ciao ! / summer / two thousand twenty-one