Two-Toned Scalloped Potatoes

This scalloped potatoes recipe has a delicious creamy sauce.  We eat it as a main dish with meat added but you could leave out the meat and easily serve it as a side dish.  One day I didn't have enough white potatoes so I tossed in some sweet potatoes.  It was tasty!

Two-Toned Scalloped Potatoes                                                     Printable Recipe

3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons flour
2-1/2 cups milk
8 ounces Velveeta (or you can use 2 cups shredded cheddar or any other cheese you like)
salt to taste

3 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced thin

2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
ham slices, chopped, or dried chipped beef, chopped

Do-ahead Potatoes

Just as the name implies, it's a dish you can make ahead and bake another day.  The ingredient list is simple but the taste is phenomenal!  This recipe came from my great-grandma's hairdreser.  It was made it for many holiday meals.  I'm sure she used full on fat cream cheese and regular sour cream but I lightened it up a little but using the light versions of both.

Do-ahead Potatoes                                                                     Printable Recipe

8-10 medium size russet potatoes

1/2 cup milk

salt and pepper to taste

2 Tablespoons grated onion

8 ounce package light cream cheese

1 cup light sour cream

About 2 Tablespoons butter

Peel and wash potatoes, chunk and boil for 15 to 20 minutes or until fork inserts easily into potato. Drain well.

Make mashed potatoes with your mixer out of the cooked potatoes, milk, salt and pepper. You may need more or less milk depending on how large your potatoes are.

Add cream cheese, sour cream, and onion.  Mix until blended.

Spread into 7x11"  or 8x8" baking dish.

Dot with butter slices and bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.

The butter will melt and the top will start to be golden brown.  It may be even more brown that this photo. This one arrived late to the Thanksgiving meal and we hurried this one along with the help of a microwave and broiler at the end.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

My mom lightens this up by replacing some of the milk with chicken broth. I personally like more potatoes so I add even more to mine.  Top with all the extras you want and your bowl will be perfect!

Loaded Baked Potato Soup                                                Printable Recipe

2/3 cup butter

2/3 cup flour

7 cups milk

4 large baking potatoes, cooked and cubed

1 pound bacon

8 ounces Velveeta

1 cup sour cream

salt and pepper to taste

1 cup shredded Mexi-blend cheese

1 bunch green onions, sliced

Cut up bacon and cook.  I know this picture isn't necessary but it sure looks yummy!!  Drain.

I used to bake my potatoes, then peel and chop.  Now I use 4 cups of Yukon golds, chunked and cooked by boiling. Much less messy and you keep the nutrients of the skin. 

Drain.

In a large pot melt the butter.

Stir in flour, heat and stir until smooth.  Cook for 1 minute.

Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until thickened. I find it easier to have the milk warmed to prevent burning the milk on the bottom while it tries to warm up the rest of the milk. *

This is with about half of the milk

Add potatoes and bacon.

 Add cheese and stir until melted. Stir in sour cream.

TO FREEZE.....Omit potatoes (they will become gritty when you unthaw) cool and put in bags. When ready to use reheat and add potatoes.

Edited to add that if I use YUKON GOLDS they do not turn gritty and they keep their shape even in the freezer!

*An alternative method is to add the milk to pan and warm.  Make a roux out of the butter and flour.  Add the roux to the milk and stir. It will thicken in just a few minutes.  You can see this method on my Cheeseburger Soup and Chicken, Corn and Potato Chowder.

Chili-Cheese Baked Potatoes

So you have some perfectly baked potatoes, now what?  Let's top it with some chili and some cheese sauce!!

Chili-Cheese Baked Potatoes                                                           Printable Recipe

5-6 baked potatoes

Chili:
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup diced onion
1/2 cup diced green pepper
1-1/2 T - 2 T chili powder
14.5 ounce can petite diced tomatoes undrained (or 1 pint home canned)
1/2 can water
1 Tablespoon tomato paste (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste

How To Make Perfectly Baked Potatoes

 A simple recipe that results in the perfect baked potato ready for whatever toppings you desire!!

How To Make Perfectly Baked Potatoes                                         Printable Recipe

Russet Potatoes
Olive oil
Salt

When baking a large amount of potatoes at one time, choose potatoes with uniform shapes and sizes; they will cook more evenly and get done at the same time.

Foodie Friends Friday Linky Party #84

Welcome to the Foodie Friends Friday 

POTATO LOVERS Party!!

Roasted Vegetables

Your house will smell so good as this cooks! Try different squashes to suit your taste. These potatoes were raised in my garden.  Yukon gold potatoes are my favorite since they keep their shape when stirred and/or flipped around.

Roasted Vegetables                                                                      Printable Recipe

1 medium sweet potato

3 medium Yukon gold potatoes

1/2 medium yellow onion

1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/4 teaspoon salt (more later to taste)

2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup olive oil

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a medium bow, stir together seasonings, oil, and vinegar.

Peel and chop your sweet potatoes into 3/4 to 1" cubes.  Chop your Yukon golds the same way, leaving the peel on those. Cut your onion half into two slices and then 3/4 to 1" pieces. Add to marinade. Toss to coat veggies.

 T

Dump onto jelly roll pan and spread into an even layer. Cook for 20 minutes, flip or stir and cook for another 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are soft.  

They are going to look a little browned but that is the delicious caramelization of the veggies and the balsamic vinegar.  Sprinkle on more salt to taste.

Perfectly Pan Fried Potatoes

Yukon gold potatoes are the best potato for this.  The skins are thin so you can leave them on and the inside of the potato stays firm when you cook it but is so creamy and buttery!

Perfectly Pan Fried Potatoes

Yukon Gold potatoes
Olive Oil
Butter
Salt
Cast Iron Pan

Chunk your potatoes up.  If they are small I quarter them.  If they are a little larger I cut in half, then in thirds, and halves of those.  These were probably 3/4 inch slices.

Put potatoes in a pot with cold water and some salt.   Bring to a boil and cook until almost done.  Drain and let air dry a little.

Heat up cast iron pan good and warm.  Drizzle in some olive oil and put a pat of butter in the pan. 

Add potato chunks.  Allow to brown on one side and then flip.  Don't play with your potatoes too much or they will fall apart.

Makes a great side dish for any meal or serve with with the Breakfast Slam!

Baked Potato Soup

Please see new posting here:

http://www.inthekitchenwithjenny.com/2014/11/loaded-baked-potato-soup.html

Thank you!!