A Better Tuna Noodle Casserole

Let's think for a minute about opening that red and white can, revealing grayish goo that smells like it might not be meant for human consumption.  It's a necessary chore when following most Tuna Noodle Casserole recipes.  But what if it could be better?

How do we improve the Tuna Noodle Casserole experience?

Let's make a casserole with real ingredients. One that uses fresh mushrooms and vibrant, identifiable seasonings that all work in unison to create a delicious dish. 

Tuna Noodle Casserole

2T Butter

3T AP Flour

1 1/2 C Milk

1 C Diced Mushrooms

1/3 C Diced Onions

1T Dried Tarragon

1T Minced Garlic

Few Dashes of Hot Sauce

Salt & Pepper

1t Brown Sugar

12oz Whole Wheat Egg Noodles

1 C Peas

1/2 C Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

2 Cans Solid White Albacore Tuna in Water

1/2 Cup of Fresh or Dried Bread Crumbs

1/4 Parmesan Cheese

Melt butter over medium heat in Dutch oven.  Add flour.  Whisk and continue cooking for 2 minutes or until the paste is golden brown.  Slowly begin adding milk, about a quarter cup at a time, each time whisking until completely incorporated.  Add mushrooms.  Add Onions. Add Tarragon, Salt, Pepper, Garlic, Hot Sauce, Brown Sugar.  Bring to a boil and continue to whisk for 3 minutes or until thickened.

Add peas, tuna (with juice), and cheese.  Stir to combine.  Combine with cooked egg noodles in a casserole dish.  Top with Bread Crumbs and Parmesan Cheese.  Bake for 30 minutes @ 350 degrees.

The Cleveland Experience

When I moved back to Cleveland in March 2011, I was very excited.  During my time away, the city had planted the seed for a renewed passion for the city.  It's been my opinion that the positive grumbling of community-centric discussion always existed, but it wasn't until mid-decade that something new started to form.

A discussion formed around food, people, and culture experiences that could only lead to one thing: a comeback.  People in this city care about their community and strive to constantly to move it forward.  Every day, I encounter individuals who posses a personal mission for the growth and renewal of Cleveland, Ohio.

One of the first people who caught my eye was Julia Kao and her blog, 100 Days in Cleveland.  In her blog, she created artwork for places that define what makes Cleveland, Cleveland.  Through her blog, I instantly rediscovered an interest for places I remember visiting as a child while discovering new landmarks of our city.  

The artwork is beautiful.  It gained the attention of Plain Dealer journalist Connie Schultz in June.  She wrote an article about Julia and her mission.

To my surprise, when I went to purchase prints from her Etsy store, I discovered she illustrated a freshly released book: New to Cleveland. A Guide to (re)Discovering the City written by Justin Glanville.  This was perfect!  

I purchased the book for Adam, who was, in fact, new to Cleveland.  He relocated here from Cincinnati in June and I had been having a great time showing him my favorite spots since then.  The book would help me be sure we weren't missing any opportunities to showcase the city for our new Clevelander.

The book is the perfect blend of art, design, information, and passion.  It perpetuates the conversation and is a shining example of people doing great things for our city.