Tortilla Macaroni & Cheese an original recipe

I did it – wrote and am now “publishing” my first recipe.  It was inspired by my two-year-old and a recent dinner at Max & Erma’s Restaurant.  We really like their chicken tortilla soup and the crispy, crunchy tortilla strips that go on top.  I usually order a bowl of soup  and half a club sandwich and extra tortilla strips, please.  Our little man orders Mac n’ Cheese and  fruit cup.  One thing, I don’t like their Mac n’ Cheese – cause it’s from a box.  I grew up with two older brothers – they liked mac n’ cheese from a box.  Me?  Not so much.  I actually didn’t like mac n’ cheese.  Not until I made if from scratch thanks to Betty Crocker – and it had ham and tomatoes in it.  But now I’m married to a Mac n’ Cheese man and son #1 loves it – with ketchup please.   

We’re sitting at dinner and I’m sharing my soup and tortilla strips with the little guy and just adoring his passion for eating the soup, chips, mac n’ cheese…and thought – why not make it all together?  Even I would like that!  So at nap time yesterday, I wrote a recipe.  Naptime today, I made the recipe.  I’m looking forward to having “taste testers” for this recipe.  My hubby, son, neighbor and her 2 kids.  All kids are under the age of 6 so that tells you they are “picky”.  I swear my kid thinks I’m trying to poison him when I feed him.  I’m not when it’s home cooked and I am if it come’s through a drive thru window – but how do you explain that to him?  

So far, I’ve had a plate of this Tortilla Mac n’ Cheese – with oven baked tortilla strips.  I like it.  I’m still not a big fan of mac n’ cheese and I did eat it with some ketchup.  My two-year-old tried it and liked it but wants his to be “a cold one” his way of telling me not to serve it to him straight out of the oven.  It seems that he felt “controlled” and wanted to go play so he retracted his statement that he liked his supper – he’ll probably like it again when it’s time for lunch tomorrow.  Never know – he may have meant that he didn’t want anymore.  I know he was pretty interested in playing with his barn.  I took over a container to my neighbor – I’ll let her tell you what she thinks – she can comment on it here.  My hubby has since consumed a massive quantity and here is what he said…”It’s good.  It doesn’t have the Mac n’ Cheesy flavor – you can taste the Rotel in it – I like it.  The flavor as is would be kid friendly.”  Without making it again – I’m going to tell you exactly what I would do to take it beyond kid friendly.  

Tortilla Macaroni and Cheese, an original recipe by Jacquelyn 

Start with this...

 

Brush strips with oil. Stack.

 

Cut into strips - whatever size you'd like.

 

Bake til crispy - keep an eye on them!

 

Finished product - tortilla strips. Crunchy!

 

Puree Rotel - "hides the evidence from picky kids" and makes for a smooth sauce.

 

Add spices and give it another whir til all is incorporated.

 

Melt 1/2 stick butter over med-high heat. Meanwhile, beat 2 eggs and set aside.

 

Sprinkle in flour and WHISK-WHISK-WHISK

 

WHISK-WHISK-WHISK don't let it burn!!! Or you have to start over!!! Cook for 5 minutes.

 

Add milk and whisk - a lot more. Keep the mixture smooth. Bring to a bubble.

 

Add in the pureed Rotel and seasoning blend. Whisk, whisk, whisk...

 

Make all smooth - bubbly - thicken - takes like 5 minutes or more. Keep whisking. Don't burn it. Whisk it.

 

Use Velveeta or Shredded Cheese - cheddar, blend several cheeses - do what makes you sleep better at night!

 

Way back when you are baking tortilla strips - I'd boil your water, add salt and cook your macaroni product for 5 minutes. It needs to be too firm to serve but yet cooked. Grease baking dish, butter or spray - whatever.

 

After all the cheese is melted - fold the pasta into the cheese mixture. Coat it all really well.

 

Sprinkle a generous amount of cheese on top. More than what I used here.

 

Bake til all bubbly and yummy looking.

 

Here's where you make your decision. Sprinkle tortilla strips now or let people add their own after serving.

 

Go ahead, plate it up and eat.

 

 I’ll be posting the recipe after I proof it some more – it’ll show up right here with all of the lovely photos.