Melt the butter (add more if you like)
Saut� veggies quickly and abruptly.
With the pan off the heat, add 1/4 cup flour, 2 cups of milk, and 1/4 cup of breadcrumbs from a box like Progresso Really Huge Breadcrumbs�
Stir quickly and bring to a boil. Then take it off the heat quickly.
ADD: salt and pepper and cayenne pepper to taste. A few dashes of Old Bay� seasoning, if you have it!
THROW IN: crab/fish/clams and the kitchen sink, but not Chef Sven.
ADD: 1 to 2 egg yolks and stir quickly.
POUR into individual baking dishes greased, or a big dish that can go into the oven.
TOP with cheddar cheese and bake for fifteen minutes at 400� until hot and bubbly.
Serve with French bread and a green salad like Chef Sven's Caesar Salad
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Let me get in a word or two here.
The deal with the flour and butter is this...
You are trying to make a "roux" which is an excellent thickening agent especially if you use real butter. You can substitute margarine if you like, but the flavor is not the same and because of the water content, you have to use more flour which gives your dish a pasty flavor.
The other thing that I would like to add is: you should make the roux ahead of time and add it to the milk when it's reached a near boiling point. You also should clarify the butter, meaning, without burning it, cook off the natural water content, THEN add the flour until you have a goopy consistencey. You then have a strong thickening agent which by the way, you have to be careful with, as this sets up some twenty minutes later.
Take your time experimenting with roux. You will after a while find just how good it is to use in all kinds of sauces and soups.
� April 18 1998
Glenda J. Bolin a.k.a. Chef Sven's Cousin
� April 27 1998
Chef Sven
OH NO!!! IT'S MY EX-WIFE'S: "NIGHTLY TUNA CASSEROLE"
O.K. She didn't make it every night, but damn near. Wasn't too bad in a pinch and if you were REALLY hungry and didn't care much about what you ate. So here it is:
Cook the shells according to package directions except cut the time back in half. Add the simulated cheese and drained tuna parts, (parts is parts). Install this mess into a Pyrex� baking dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs on top generously, (soaks up the motor oil). Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350� for 15 minutes or until the Mafia is golden brown. Let set for a few minutes, and scoop this stuff out with a spatula, slap it onto your plate, and maybe watch The Weather Channel. This makes for a REALLY romantic evening!