Mac and Cheese Skewers

• Salt, for pasta water
• 1/3 pound rigatoni (about 40 pieces)
• 4 ounces easy melting American Cheese (recommended: Velveeta)
• 1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten with 2 teaspoons water, for egg wash
• 2 cups vegetable oil
• 20 cherry tomatoes, halved
• Special equipment: frilly toothpicks

1. Fill a saucepan halfway with water and place over high heat.
2. Bring to a boil and salt the water liberally.
3. Add the rigatoni and cook 9 to 11 minutes, until al dente.
4. Drain, rinse well under cold water and set aside.
5. Cut the block of cheese into 1/2-inch slices and cut each slice into 4 equal pieces lengthwise.
6. Cut each piece in half.
7. You should have 40 pieces.
8. Slide 1 piece of the cheese into each rigatoni (the size should be near perfect.)
9. Pour the bread crumbs, Parmesan, and parsley into a small bowl and mix well.
10. Working in small batches, put the stuffed rigatoni into the egg wash first, then roll in the bread crumb mixture.
11. Place in a sealable container (they can be stacked on top of each other).
12. Place in the freezer for at least 2 hours and up to 2 weeks.
13. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
14. Pour the vegetable oil into a medium saucepan and place over medium heat for 5 minutes.
15. Test by dropping a cube of bread into the oil; if it turns golden within 1 minute the oil is ready.
16. Working in batches of 6 to 8 and using a slotted spoon, carefully drop the rigatoni into the oil.
17. Fry for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until the bread crumbs are a golden brown.
18. Remove to a paper towel lined plate.
19. Repeat until all of the rigatoni have been fried.
20. Keep warm in the preheated oven.
21. To serve, skewer 1 piece of the mac and cheese and a cherry tomato half with a frilly toothpick.
22. Serve while still warm.
23. Cook's Note: Since these are time consuming and since they freeze well, it's worth making a larger batch than needed and storing them.

salt, rigatoni, easy melting, italian bread crumbs, parmesan, parsley, eggs, vegetable oil, tomatoes, toothpicks

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mac-and-cheese-skewers-recipe.html (may not work)