Day 3- Macaroni and Cheese with Tuna and Peas

Day three -“The Week Of Eating In Challenge”

So, we have made it this far on the challenge. Now we are at hump day for the week, good old Wednesday. I thought some good old comfort food would be great today.

This was one of my favorite dishes as a kid. Macaroni and cheese with tuna and peas. A one-dish meal complete with a veggie and protein. I like to make mine from scratch, but you of course can use a box and mac and cheese as well. And you can make it as plain or as fancy as you desire. Just get a bit creative and have lots of fun while making this dish. On a side note, since it is a one dish meal……..FEWER DISHES. This is a great thing for me since I am dishwasherly-challenged. So without further ado, here it is.

Ashley's Sassy Macaroni and Cheese with Tuna and Peas

Serves 6

Ingredients

• 4 c Dried Macaroni or small noodles of your choice
• 1/2 Stick Or 4 T Butter
• ¼ c All-purpose Flour
• 2-½ c Whole Milk
• 2 t (heaping) Dry Mustard
• 1 1b. Cheese, Grated (I used a combo of sharp cheddar, parmesan and munster)
• ½ t Salt, More To Taste
• ½ t Black Pepper, To Taste
• 2 -3 cans Drained Tuna
• 2 c Cooked Peas
• Optional Spices: Cayenne Pepper, Paprika, garlic powder (I used garlic and paprika)
• Optional fresh herbs: basil, dill (I used fresh basil. Just finely chop it, mix in or serve on top)

Directions


             1. Cook macaroni until al dente( cooked till firm, but not hard)

Drain.

2.In a large pot, melt butter and sprinkle in flour. Whisk together over medium-low heat. Cook mixture for 3-5 minutes, whisking constantly. Don’t let it burn (this is called making a rue, which I’ll talk about in a future blog post)

3.Pour in milk, add mustard, and whisk until smooth. Cook for five minutes or until very thick.

4. Reduce heat to low.

5. Add in cheese and stir to melt. Add salts and pepper to taste. If using, add in optional spices and stir.

6. Pour in drained, cooked macaroni and stir to combine. Add in drained tuna and
cooked peas.

7. If using fresh herbs, stir in now (you may also sprinkle them on top at the end).

8. Serve immediately (which will be very creamy) or pour into a buttered baking dish, top with extra cheese, and bake at 350 for 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly and golden on top.

Recipe guide:

T= Tablespoon

t=  teaspoon

c=  cup/s

FUN QUICKER OPTION

You can of course just add a can of tuna and some cooked peas to a boxed package of mac and cheese in a pinch. Then if you have any extra cheese, herbs and spices; add them in at the end as well. Be creative and have fun. You can turn a dull box of mac and cheese into something pretty darn tasty and very comforting.

So tomorrow look for another fun Ashley recipe. Half way through the week, we can do it, “The Week Of Eating In Challenge”. Good luck.

Till then live, love and eat some fantastic food.