Walleye Mac and Cheese

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.

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.