A Comfort Dish Made by Memory: Dawn’s Tomato Mac & Cheese
Dawn is deafblind and is supported by DeafBlind Ontario Services. She began cooking in her mother’s and grandmother’s kitchens – long before she relied on her senses in new ways. As a child, she learned by watching. As she grew, she learned by feeling. Even after her vision changed, the kitchen remained a place of confidence, memory, and joy.
Dawn’s favourite dish is one she’s known since childhood: Tomato Macaroni & Cheese.
“It’s a recipe that I grew up with, and I love the blend of flavors that all go well together” Dawn says. For her, it’s the definition of comfort food. “It reminds me of my grandmother and my family.”
Cooking Guided by Touch, Memory, and Smell
Dawn relies on her senses to guide her through each step. “My sense of touch is so strong that I know what the item is without having to see it,” she explains. She uses her fingers to measure ingredients and can feel when a sauce has thickened. “When I make my sauces, I’m able to tell when the sauce is getting thicker just by stirring.” Smell tells her the rest: “My sense of smell helps me know when the meal is almost finished.”
Even without vision, Dawn still relies on the images stored in her memory. “I can picture the food as I used to see it when I had my vision. I can still see it in my mind, and I do the same things as I used to, but with my mind’s eyes.”
Dawn describes the flavour as “cheesy and tangy, especially when you add the acidity of the tomatoes.” She also points out the importance of texture. “The breadcrumbs on top give a good crunch next to the softness and stringiness of the cheese and sauce.” Overall, she says, “It’s warm, soft, and delicious.”
The Parts of Cooking She Enjoys
“There’s no question – I enjoy prepping the least,” Dawn jokes. But once the prep is done, she’s fully in her element: “I really enjoy cooking and all the steps included. The baking, the boiling, the topping off with the breadcrumbs and cheese: it’s all for me.”
“How do I feel when I cook this dish? Hungry for sure,” she laughs. “Thinking about it makes me want a plate of it.”
Dawn’s Tomato Macaroni & Cheese Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups Penne or Elbow pasta
- 3 ½ cups milk
- 1¾ cups old cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 heaping tablespoon flour
- ½ can unsalted diced tomatoes
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
1. Boil pasta in 5 cups of water. Stir occasionally. Cook until al dente.
2. Grate 1½ cups of the cheese.
3. Set up a double boiler:
- Bottom pot: 5 cups of water
- Top pot: 3 cups milk + 1 tablespoon butter
Let it simmer.
Mix remaining milk with flour until smooth. Add to top pot and whisk until thickened.
4. Gradually add grated cheese and stir until blended.
5. Place pasta in a large casserole dish and pour sauce over it.
6. Spoon tomatoes evenly on top.
7. Sprinkle breadcrumbs across the surface.
8. Top with remaining ¾ cup cheese.
9. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
10. Bake for 1 hour.
11. Let rest for a few minutes before serving.