Category: CASSEROLES & SIDES

CHICKEN HORSERADISH MAC & CHEESE

CHICKEN HORSERADISH MAC & CHEESE

8 ounces macaroni or campagnelle noodles, prepared according to package directions
1/2 pound bacon, diced
1 large shallot, diced small + 2 cloves garlic, minced
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 2 1/2 + 1 1/2
3 tablespoons WONDRA flour
2 teaspoons DIJON mustard
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
2 cups small diced rotisserie chicken
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1 tablespoon creamy horseradish
1/3 cup Boar’s Head Horseradish Cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup grated Gruyere Cheese
2 cups EXTRA sharp white cheddar cheese
1/2 cup grated Asiago Parmesan Cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped Italian Parsley
1/3 cup finely crushed Keebler Club crackers
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 tablespoons powdered Parmesan Cheese

  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • Lightly butter a 9×9 baking dish.
  • In a large skillet brown bacon until crisp and crumbly.
  • Remove bacon with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  • Add shallots and garlic to bacon drippings, sauteing until soft.
  • Add the 2 1/2 tablespoons of butter.
  • When butter is melted whisk in the flour making a roux.
  • Whisk in the mustard.
  • Whisk in creamy horseradish.
  • Gradually and alternately add the milk and cream, whisking constantly.
  • Add the salt, blending well.
  • Bring to a SLOW rolling boil, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Strain into a large mixing bowl and discard any solids.
  • Add ALL cheeses quickly, stirring constantly until melted and a smooth consistency.
  • Add in the cooked noodles, chicken pieces and 3/4 of bacon pieces stirring to coat.
  • Fold the noodle mixture into the baking dish.
  • Blend together 1 1/2 tablespoons melted butter, powdered Parmesan Cheese and crackers.
  • Sprinkle on top of noodles.
  • Bake 20-25 minutes until bubbling and golden brown. During last 5 minutes top with remaining bacon pieces.
  • Remove from oven, cover with foil and rest 10 minutes before serving.

 

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CRY BABY BURGERS

We like burgers, but hate the bread on a regular basis so I often make a “knife and fork” burger with fun toppings and this is one of our favorites. Make sure you start the potatoes before grilling the burgers.

CRY BABY BURGERS
1 pound ground chuck
sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
1 small can jalapenos, drained and chopped (save a small amount for the mayo)
1 small can green chiles, drained and chopped
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
2 slices pepper jack cheese
jalapeno mayo (small amount of minced jalapenos whisked into mayo)
caramelized onions – 1 small Vidalia onion, thinly sliced

  • Combine ground chuck, jalapenos, green chiles, salt, pepper and Worcestershire sauce until well blended.
  • Form into patties and refrigerate for several hours.
  • Whisk together mayonnaise and minced jalapenos.  Refrigerate until chilled.
  • Sear and brown patties, turning frequently until cooked through.
  • While cooking the patties, melt a small amount of butter in another pan and caramelize onions to desired doneness.
  • When burgers are done, top with cheese, mayonnaise and caramelized onions.
  • Enjoy!

ROASTED PAPRIKA POTATOES
2 pounds baby red potatoes
sea salt and fresh ground black pepper
Hungarian paprika
1/4 cup melted butter

  • Scrub potatoes.
  • Boil for 10-15 minutes.
  • Drain the potatoes until cool enough to handle.
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Spray a 9×9 shallow baking dish with PURE.
  • Place potatoes on bottom in an even layer.
  • Smash each potato slightly.
  • Evenly sprinkle with salt, pepper and paprika to taste.
  • Pour melted butter evenly over top.
  • Bake 30 minutes until crunchy and bubbling.

RECONSTRUCTED MEXICAN LASAGNA

A while back I found this recipe for Sour Cream Noodle Bake over at Food Network that I wanted to try and then realized we had a big move coming and that I didn’t have the exact ingredients so  I took quite a few liberties with this recipe and hubby loves it reconstructed!  So, I don’t think we’ll ever get around to trying her original recipe, but you can tell me what you think.

RECONSTRUCTED MEXICAN LASAGNA
1 pound ground chuck or sirloin
8-9 ounces tomato sauce, divided
Fresh ground Salt and Pepper, to taste
2 cups elbows or shells or any combo of
1/2 cup sour cream
1 1/4 cup small curd cottage cheese
1 large bunch green onions, sliced thin
1 cup grated medium cheddar cheese
10 ounce can Original Rotel tomatoes, DRAINED WELL
15 ounce can black beans, DRAINED WELL and RINSED
Salsa
Sour Cream

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray 11×9 baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • Spoon 2 spoons of tomato sauce into the bottom of your baking dish
  • Prepare pasta according to package directions to al dente. Drain and set aside.
  • While pasta is boiling, brown ground sirloin and half of the green onions, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste as browning.  Drain fat.
  • While meat is browning and pasta is boiling mix together the sour cream and cottage cheese in a medium bowl, seasoning with fresh ground salt and pepper.
  • Add in pasta and remaining green onions. Set aside.
  • Add remaining tomato sauce, drained Rotel as well as the drained and rinsed black beans to the meat and stir to blend well.
  • Assemble starting with the noodle mixture followed by the meat mixture and half the cheese and repeat.
  • Bake 20-30 minutes until cheese is melted and heated all the way through.
  • Top with a dollop of sour cream and salsa.

NOTE: This recipe also works well with no bake lasagna noodles.  Just omit the pasta from the cheese mixture ad assemble like Italian Lasagna.

 

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BAKED OMELETS aka CRUSTLESS QUICHE & PAPRIKA CHEESE HASH BROWNS

This combination is perfect together. I prepare all the ingredients before I begin. I then assemble the omelet and while it is baking I prepare the hash browns. They are almost always done at the same time which makes it perfect in my book.
I broke down this recipe to a per person portion so you can make as few or as many as you want easily.

BAKED OMELETS aka CRUSTLESS QUICHE BASIC EGG MIXTURE per person

2 eggs
1/8 cup whole milk
1/8 cup sour cream
salt and pepper to taste
Fillings to taste**

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Spray ramekins with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Fill bottom with your favorites.
  • Whisk together the eggs, sour cream and milk.
  • Pour over fillings.
  • Bake 30 minutes or until cooked through.
  • Let sit 5 minutes.
  • Invert onto plate and enjoy.

**I usually use bacon, mushrooms, sliced green onions, red onions, cheddar, swiss and tomato.

NOTE: When using meats, make sure they are pre-cooked.

PAPRIKA CHEESE HASH BROWNS

4 cups shredded or finely chopped potatoes, dry well with paper towels
4-6 tablespoons butter
1 small bunch green onions, sliced fine
paprika
celery salt
salt and pepper
1/2 cup finely shredded white cheddar (or cheese of your choice)

  • Melt butter in a large skillet* over medium high heat.
  • Add potatoes, onions and season well with salt, pepper, celery salt and paprika.
  • Brown well.
  • Sprinkle cheese over top and fold in.

NOTE: Use a skillet large enough to have a single layer of potatoes. They will brown better if they are not crowded.

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OATNUT SOURDOUGH HERB DRESSING aka DADDY’S OLD FASHIONED BREAD STUFFING

Thanksgiving after Thanksgiving  I stood in my childhood kitchen watching my dad prepare the stuffing for dinner.  Daddy never stuffed the Turkey, but instead made the “stuffing” like a big casserole.  The stuffing was always my favorite part topped with daddy’s giblet gravy – YUMMY.  I can taste it like it was all those years ago again. Now daddy used Mrs. Cubbinson’s cornbread dressing as a base and doctored it, but several years ago my brother asked me to try and reproduce the recipe and VOILA’ I did it and it’s from scratch!
One of the great things about bread dressing is that the leftovers work for meal after meal and if you’re making gravy, it only enhances the flavor.
OATNUT SOURDOUGH HERB DRESSING
10 slices Oroweat OATNUT bread, cut into bite size chunks
1/2 loaf sourdough French bread, cut into bite size chunks
1 large sweet onion, chopped fine
1 small bunch celery (leaves and all), chopped fine
1/2 bag baby carrots, chopped fine
1 box mushrooms, chopped fine or shredded
1 tablespoon sea salt
1 tablespoon white pepper
2 sticks unsalted butter
4 cups homemade chicken broth**
2 tablespoons Better than Bouillon Chicken base
2 tablespoons Buttery Herb & Garlic Mix (I believe McCormick makes it)
4-5 cloves garlic, minced

  • Cut bread into bite sized chunks and spread out in a thin layer over cookie sheets.
  • Bake at 200 degrees for 3-4 hours until pieces are actually hard.
  • Chop all the vegetables.
  • In a large cast iron pan melt 1/4 cup of the butter.
  • Add the onions and saute until translucent. The add the celery and carrots and continue sauteing until crisp tender.
  • Add the mushrooms and garlic last as they will burn first.
  • Whisk together the water, better than bouillon chicken base and all of the seasonings.
  • Add the melted butter.
  • In a large pan toss the bread slices together.
  • Add the sauteed vegetables and toss again.
  • Add the liquid mixture and toss again until well absorbed.
  • Fold entire mixture into at least a 9×13 baking dish.
  • Bake uncovered 1 hour.
  • At this point I use a small portion for our dinner that night and freeze the rest.
  • When it’s time to cook it again, I defrost it, put it back in the same baking dish and bake it again, but this time covered with foil until the last 15 minutes so it doesn’t dry out. We like it crisp on top so I remove the foil the last 15 minutes.

NOTE **:  I make my own broth from the carcass of a Rotisserie chicken each week to use in my recipes.  I buy the rotisserie chicken at Costco and use the meat to snack on or to make chicken salad or pastas.

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BUFFALO CHICKEN & POTATOES

WHY IT WORKS: This recipe works because it is simple, week night friendly, flavor packed and PURE comfort food. It also makes a great addition to a backyard BBQ or church pot luck supper.

BUFFALO CHICKEN & POTATOES
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast or tenders, cut into 1 inch strips
1/3 cup Frank’s Original Hot Sauce
6 cups diced hash brown potatoes, thawed*
1 cup ranch dressing
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can cream of celery soup
1/2 cup seasoned Panko crumbs**
2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
1 bunch green onions, sliced

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Spray 13×9 baking dish with non-stick spray.
  • In a mixing bowl combine the chicken strips and hot sauce, tossing to coat well.
  • In a LARGE mixing bowl whisk together the undiluted soup and ranch dressing.
  • Fold potatoes into the soup mixture.
  • Spoon potato mixture into baking dish.
  • Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer on top of potatoes, drizzling any excess sauce evenly over top.
  • Evenly top with grated cheese.
  • In a small bowl combine Panko Crumbs and butter until a coarse mixture.
  • Sprinkle Panko crumbs mixture over chicken pieces.
  • Cover and bake 30 minutes.
  • Uncover and bake 20 minutes more or until potatoes are tender and chicken is cooked through.
  • Top with green onions.
  • Cool slightly and serve warm.

NOTE 1: * The original recipe called for a southwestern style hash browns.  Tater tots in a single layer work in a pinch also, but make sure everything is COMPLETELY thawed and drained of all moisture.

NOTE 2: ** The original recipe called for corn flakes crumbs.

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PIONEER BEAN DINNER

PIONEER BEAN DINNER
1/2 pound ground chuck, browned and drained
1/2 pound bacon, crisply fried and crumbled
1 small onion, chopped small
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/8 cup Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce*
1 tablespoon molasses
16 ounces pork and beans
16 ounces black beans

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Combine everything into a greased 9×9 baking dish.
  • Bake for 45-60 minutes.

NOTE 1: *A-1 works also

NOTE 2: This recipe works really well in a slow cooker all day also.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS, DECISIONS & yet we still had to have dinner ~ CHICKEN & DRESSING with CREAM OF CARROT BISQUE

I worked for quite awhile in the studio today and ran across several unfinished projects that NEED to be finished!  Binding for some reason is my least favorite part of quilting though it should be my most favorite since it is the last step to a completed project.  I’m still trying to figure out where to start!  I’m leaning towards starting with the smaller pieces just because there will be a bigger sense of accomplishment as I whip them out, but am leaning towards the larger ones so I can set them aside into the Christmas pile as completed presents.

In the meanwhile we still needed to eat so I reworked a couple of recipes from my “TO TRY” pile that used ingredients I had on hand.  It’s almost June 1st and I try to clean out both the freezer and pantry every 6 months or so.

CHICKEN & DRESSING serves 6

2-3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
4 slices crusty french bread, torn into pieces
3 cups crumbled cornbread
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 small Vidalia onion, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped small
2 large eggs, beaten
Fresh ground sea salt, to taste
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup butter, sliced thin

  • Put butter slices in freezer while you assemble the casserole.
  • In a large mixing bowl whisk together the broth, eggs and soup.
  • Fold in breads.
  • Fold in celery, onion and chicken pieces.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Transfer to a lightly greased 3 quart slow cooker.
  • Dot with butter slices.
  • Cook on high 1 1/2 hours and then low 2-3 hours on low OR 3-4 hours on high.

CREAM OF CARROT BISQUE serves 4

1 pound bag baby carrots, washed and dried
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 small Vidalia onion, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
Pinch of ground ginger
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
Parmesan cheese
Snap peas

  • Preheat oven to 400˚.
  • In a large ziplock bag add the carrots, avocado oil, sugar, salt and pepper. Close and toss until carrots are well coated.
  • Spread carrots in a thin layer on a baking sheet.
  • Roast carrots 45 minutes or until tender.
  • Cool carrots.
  • In a large sauce pan melt butter,
  • Add onion and saute’ until tender.
  • Add broth and simmer while carrots roast.
  • Add carrots and puree with an immersion blender.
  • Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Serve with Parmesan crisps and chopped snap peas.

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HAWAIIAN MEATLOAF & LEMON BUTTER POTATOES

This started out as Carol Faye’s Meatloaf from the Loveless Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee which I can no longer find on their menu, but it is in Southern Living’s Off the Eaten Path.  Unfortunately, or fortunately, we ended up with an entirely different recipe and hubby absolutely loved it so it’s a keeper!HAWAIIAN MEATLOAF
1 1/4 pounds ground round
1/3 cup minced Vidalia onion
1 large clove black garlic, smashed
1 teaspoon avocado oil
1 medium egg
1/4 cup Country Bob’s special sauce
1/4 + 1/2 cup King’s Hawaiian original BBQ sauce
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground sea salt

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Using your hands mix all the ingredients except the last 1/2 cup of BBQ sauce. Mix only until all ingredients are well incorporated.
  • Mold into small loaf pan .
  • Bake for 45 minutes or starting to crisp on the edges.
  • Pour remaining BBQ sauce over meatloaf and bake 5 minutes more.

LEMON BUTTER POTATOES
2 pounds small new potatoes
1/4 cup butter, melted
Juice of 1 lemon
1+ teaspoon fresh chopped parsley
fresh ground sea salt, to taste
fresh ground black pepper, to taste
1 cup chicken broth

  • Wash and remove any blemishes from potatoes.
  • Add chicken broth to sauce pan and add 2 cups water.
  • Add potatoes and bring to a slow boil, cooking until potatoes are just fork tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Gently drain potatoes in colander.
  • Add butter, lemon juice, salt, pepper and parsley to mixing bowl.
  • Add potatoes and gently toss to coat.

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COUNTRY HEAVEN LASAGNA

COUNTRY HEAVEN LASAGNA

1/2 pound ground Italian sausage
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground sirloin
1 package pepperoni slices
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 eggs, well beaten
1 tablespoon FRESH flat leaf parsley, minced
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
1 can tomato paste
1/2 cup Classico Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
1 small can crushed tomatoes
1 carton ricotta or cottage cheese
3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
2 cups Mozzarella cheese
Lasagna noodles

  • Brown meat, drain fat.
  • Add garlic and Italian seasoning to the tomatoes and tomato paste. Reserve 2 tablespoons.
  • Fold meat into tomato mixture.
  • Slice pepperoni slices into quarters.
  • In a mixing bowl combine the ricotta cheese, eggs, Parsley and Parmesan cheese.
  • In am oil coated baking dish spread an even layer of the Classico Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto.

Then layer twice:
NOODLES
MEAT MIXTURE
PEPPERONI PIECES
CHEESE MIXTURE
MOZZARELLA CHEESE

  • Bake 50 minutes OR until golden brown.
  • Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
  • Serve with salad and garlic bread.

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After I go grocery shopping I split the Italian sausage, ground pork and ground sirloin all in half. Then I mix them all together and freeze half for the the next time.

MELTIN YOUR MOUTH BEEF TENDERLOIN, HORSERADISH POTATOES, HOMESTYLE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE & HERB BUTTER

MELT IN YOUR MOUTH BEEF TENDERLOIN

3 pound beef tenderloin roast
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
4-5 mushrooms, sliced thin
1/2 cup melted butter

  •  Preheat oven to 350˚.
  • Sprinkle garlic on the bottom of a shallow, glass baking dish and then layer the green onions and mushrooms.
  • Place roast on top.  (Be sure NOT to salt the meat!  You will get plenty of salt from the sauce.
  • Whisk together the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and butter.  Pour over the roast.
  • Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes.
  • Turn roast over and continue cooking 45 minutes or until roast reaches 140 degrees.
  • Baste every 10-15 minutes for even flavor distribution.
  • Let rest 10-15 minutes covered by foil before slicing.

HORSERADISH POTATOES

4 pounds Golden Yukon potatoes, cut into 1 inch pieces
1 cup half and half
1 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup cream horseradish
1 egg
2 + 1/2 teaspoons sea salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper

  • Preheat oven to 350˚.
  • Spray a 2 quart baking dish with PURE.
  • In a large pot combine potatoes and enough salted water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook until tender.
  • Drain potatoes.
  • In a large mixing bowl combine the potatoes, 6 tablespoons of softened butter, half & half and, white pepper and 1/4 teaspoon sea salt.
  • Beat on medium speed until largest off chunks are smooth.
  • Add egg and horseradish mixing until smooth.
  • Spread into baking dish.
  • Melt remaining butter and drizzle over potatoes.
  • Bake 25 minutes or until heated through.
  • Increase oven temp to broil for few minutes to brown the top.

HOMESTYLE GREEN BEAN CASSEROLE

1 1/4 pounds fresh green beans; cleaned, trimmed and blanched
1 cup fresh toasted bread crumbs (I use garlic flavored croutons run through the food processor)
3 tablespoons Wondra
3 + 1  tablespoons butter
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 package Hidden Valley Ranch mix
1 large bunch green onions, sliced
1 1/2 cups mushrooms, sliced

  • Preheat oven to 350˚.
  • In a small saucepan melt 3 tablespoons butter.
  • Whisk in flour until golden.
  • Add milk gradually while stirring constantly.  Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and continue to stir constantly until thickened.
  • Stir in dressing mix and pepper. Set aside.
  • In a small skillet melt 1 tablespoon butter.  When sizzling add garlic, stirring until fragrant. Add onions and mushrooms.
  • Combine green beans with half of the garlic onion mixture.
  • Fold in white sauce to the green beans.
  • Pour into your prepared baking dish.
  • Combine bread crumbs with the remaining half of the garlic onion mixture and sprinkle over the casserole.
  • Bake uncovered 30 minutes.

HERB BUTTER

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crushed
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon white pepper
dash cayenne pepper

  • With an electric mixer blend together until well blended.
  • Form into shape and chill until firm.  (I use an old Tupperware butter tray lined with plastic wrap)
  • Transfer to your decorative tray and serve.

PINEAPPLE CARROT TOP BROWN SUGAR GLAZED HAM and ALL the FIXIN’s

So we changed our mind and stayed home for Easter dinner. We decided it’s just too busy around here and we didn’t want to fight the crowds.  Fortunately, we decided on Wednesday night so I was able to shop on Thursday and NOT fight the crowds in the markets.

PINEAPPLE CARROT TOP BROWN SUGAR GLAZED HAM
1 spiral sliced ham 8-10 pounds
1 jar pineapple preserves
1/2 cup minced carrot tops
2 cups brown sugar

  • Add the ham to the slow cooker, trimming off the bottom as needed to fit it into the slow cooker Add the trimmed fat pieces around the ham in the slow cooker.  They will help keep the moisture level up.
  • Whisk together preserves and minced carrot tops.
  • Spread glaze on ham.
  • Cover with the brown sugar.
  • Cook on low for 2-3 hours.
  • Cover with a light covering of brown sugar and serve.

ROASTED CARROTS AND ASPARAGUS with BERNAISE SAUCE
3 large carrots, sliced thinly and diagonally
3-4 stalks asparagus, per person, trimmed and cut into pieces
2 tablespoons butter
salt and pepper, to taste
1 batch Bernaise sauce

  • Bring a double boiler of water to a boil.
  • Add butter, salt and pepper to water.
  • Add carrots and asparagus to vegetable steamer.
  • Cover and steam 15-20 minutes until crisp tender.
  • Top with sauce and serve immediately.

BERNAISE SAUCE
1 tablespoon plus 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cut into 1/2″ cubes
3 tablespoons minced shallots
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar or white wine vinegar
2 large egg yolks
Juice of 1 large fresh lemon
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh tarragon

  • Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add shallots and a pinch of salt and pepper; stir to coat.
  • Stir in vinegar, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until vinegar is evaporated, 3-4 minutes.
  • Reduce heat to low and continue cooking shallots, stirring frequently, until tender and translucent, about 5 minutes longer.
  • Transfer shallot reduction to a small bowl and let cool completely.
  • Meanwhile, fill a blender with hot water to warm it; set aside.
  • Melt remaining 1 cup butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until butter is foamy.
  • Transfer butter to a measuring cup.
  • Drain blender and dry well.
  • Combine egg yolks, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon water in warm, dry blender.
  • Purée mixture until smooth.
  • With blender running, slowly pour in hot butter in a thin stream of droplets, discarding milk solids at bottom of measuring cup. Blend until smooth and creamy, 2-3 minutes.
  • Pour sauce into a medium bowl stirring in shallot reduction and tarragon.
  • Season to taste with salt, pepper, and more lemon juice, if desired.

DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 hour ahead. Cover and let stand at room temperature. I prefer fresh if your time allows.


POTATOES AU GRATIN
1/2 cup butter
16 oz. whipping cream
5 large russet potatoes
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon minced garlic (jar) or 1 clove
2 cups grated 4 white cheese mix (Gruyere, Muenster, etc…)
2 cups rates sharp cheddar
Wondra Flour

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Peel and thinly slice potatoes.
  • Grease 9×13 baking dish.
  • In a large sauce pan, melt the butter.
  • Gradually add the whipping cream and spices. Blend well.
  • Gradually add the flour until the mixture thickens, but it is still pourable!
  • Mix the cheeses all together.
  • Layer the potatoes, cheese and cream mixture ending with cheese on top.
  • Bake 45 minutes or until potatoes are tender and golden brown.

I developed this recipe for a request from our youngest and it quickly became a family favorite.

Dessert was a recent inspiration from a new restaurant.  Tony Mandola’s Gulf Coast Kitchen is a fantastic place.  We had the BEST waiter who made our meal so enjoyable while he treated us to dessert and the history of two restaurant families (Carrabas Italian Grill and Ninfas Mexican Cantina) melding together to create this restaurant. I couldn’t find a recipe so I kind of made it up as I went and came VERY close.

BANANA KEY LIME PIE

1 large firm banana, sliced thin
1/4 cup Malibu rum
1 graham cracker crumb crust
14 ounce can Eagle sweetened condensed milk
3 egg yolks + 2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup Key Lime Juice

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Soak banana slices in rum.
  • Pat banana slices dry.
  • Combine milk, egg yolks, sugar and lime juice, beating until smooth like custard.
  • Layer banana slices in a layer on top of graham cracker crust.
  • Top with custard and bake 12-15 minutes until JUST barely set.
  • Cool 10 minutes.
  • Move to refrigerator, chilling several hours before serving.
  • Top with whipped cream.

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