MASHED POTATO ARTICHOKE BAKE ~ BLOG 365.138

MASHED POTATO ARTICHOKE BAKE
4 medium golden potatoes, peeled and quartered
1/4 cup FULL FAT sour cream
2 tablespoons WHOLE milk
2 tablespoons Duke’s mayonnaise
1 tablespoon butter, melted
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
6-7 ounce jar marinated artichokes, drained WELL
3 green onions, chopped
2-3 bacon strips, cooked crisp and crumbled
1/3 cup shredded cheddar cheese

  • Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water.
  • Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook 10-15 minutes until tender.
  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • In a mixing bowl whisk together the sour cream, milk, mayonnaise, butter, salt and pepper.
  • Add drained potatoes and mash well.
  • Fold in artichokes and onions.
  • Transfer to a greased baking dish.
  • Sprinkle with crumbled bacon and cheese.
  • Bake 20 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted.

BAKED GERMAN POTATO SALAD ~ BLOG 365.133

Several of my “new to me” recipes are courtesy of my friend Diana’s mom and grandma’s recipe boxes. This recipe 45 years old and was from her aunt, Carol Booth in 1978. I made only slight alterations to bring it into the 21st century.

BAKED GERMAN POTATO SALAD

2-3 pounds red potatoes; cooked tender, peeled and diced or smashed
2 sweet Vidalia onions, chopped
8 strips bacon; cooked crisp and crumbled – reserve 2 tablespoons of drippings
3/4 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup water, divided
1/3 cup vinegar
1/3 cup sweet pickle juice
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped parsley
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
2 tablespoons WONDRA flour

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Layer potatoes into an ungreased 2 quart baking dish.
  • Saute onions in reserved bacon drippings until tender.
  • Stir in brown sugar, 1/2 cup water, vinegar, pickle juice, parsley, salt and celery seed. Simmer 5-10 minutes.
  • Whisk together remaining water and cornstarch until smooth. Stir into onion mixture.
  • Bring to a SLOW boil, cooking 2-3 minutes until thickened.
  • Pour over potatoes.
  • Fold in bacon gently.
  • Bake uncovered 30 minutes.

SCALLOPED POTATOES & PEAS ~ BLOG 365.82

SCALLOPED POTATOES & PEAS
4-6 bacon strips, diced
1 medium onion, chopped
4 cups sliced, peeled & cooked potatoes
FRESH ground sea salt & pepper
10 ounce package frozen peas, cooked and drained
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup Dukes mayonnaise
1/2 cup WHOLE milk

  • In a large skillet cook bacon until crisp.
  • Remove bacon with slotted spoon to drain on paper toweling.
  • Add onions to drippings, sauteing until tender.
  • Layer potatoes.
    on top of onions.
  • Sprinkle generously with FRESH ground sea salt and pepper.
  • Sprinkle peas on top of the potatoes followed by 1 cup of the cheese and most of the bacon.
  • Whisk together the milk and mayonnaise until smooth.
  • Pour milk mixture over top and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  • Simmer on low 5-10 minutes or so to heat through.
  • Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

SALISBURY STEAK & POTATO SKILLET

SALISBURY STEAK & POTATO SKILLET
2 tablespoons butter or avocado oil
1 pound ground beef
1 small Vidalia onion, halved and diced
1 shallot, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon FRESH thyme leaves
10-12 small gold potatoes, quartered
3 cups beef broth
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce, divided
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 1/2-3 tablespoons cornstarch
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Combine the ground beef, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, garlic, minced shallot, FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Form meat into several “flat meatballs”.
  • Heat the butter or avocado oil in a large skillet.
  • Brown “meatballs” on each side. Remove from skillet and set aside.
  • Microwave halved potatoes 3-5 minutes. Set aside. Do not wipe out skillet.
  • Add onions to skillet, sprinkle with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Saute 5 minutes until starting to caramelize.
  • Add 2 cups of beef broth to onions and simmer 5 minutes.
  • Add potatoes and simmer another 5 minutes until potatoes are tender.
  • Whisk ketchup, remaining Worcestershire sauce, thyme leaves and cornstarch together. If you want a really thick gravy use the entire 3 tablespoons. Stir the mixture into the skillet and cook, stirring frequently until gravy thickens to desired consistency.
  • Add the meat patties back into the pan and simmer on low until heated through.
  • Season to taste.

PORK & SCALLOPED POTATO STEW

While Mary touts this as a one pan recipe I don’t mind the extra dishes to make any recipe easier. Yields 6 to 8 servings

PORK & SCALLOPED POTATO STEW adapted from Mary Berg

STEW
1 1/2 – 2 pounds (700 grams) trimmed pork shoulder or tenderloin, cut into bite sized pieces
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
1/4 cup WONDRA flouor
4 tablespoons butter
1 red onion, peeled & cut into wedges
2 LARGE carrots cut diagonally into large rustic pieces
1 leek, cut into 1 inch slices
4-5 cloves, minced
1 cup (250 milliliters) dry cider (alcoholic – non alcoholic – your choice)
1 cup (250 milliliters) homemade chicken stock
2 sprigs FRESH thyme leaves
1 FIRM sweet apple
Juice of 1 LARGE lemon
2 cups baby spinach leaves

  • Place a large cast-iron skillet or oven-proof pan over medium-high heat.
  • Season the pork in a large mixing bowl with salt and pepper.
  • Scatter with 2 tablespoons flour and toss to coat.
  • Add the avocado oil to the pan and sear the pork in batches until golden brown.
  • Transfer pork pieces to a plate.
  • Add the butter to the pan along with the onions, carrots and leeks, cooking 5-8 minutes JUST until they begin to develop a little color.
  • Stir in the garlic along with the remaining 1 teaspoon flour and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add the pork and any juices back into the pan.
  • Add the cider, scraping the bottom of the pan to release any brown bits.
  • Stir in the stock and thyme.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, peel and cut the apple into 8 to 12 wedges, toss with the lemon juice and set aside with the greens.

SCALLOPED POTATO TOPPING
1/3 cup (85 milliliters) half and half
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
FRESH grated nutmeg
1 tablespoon FINELY chopped thyme, plus more for serving
2 medium (about 550 grams/1 1/4 pounds) sweet potatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick
2 medium (about 400 grams/3/4 pound) yellow potatoes, sliced 1/4-inch thick
1 SMALL red onion, thinly sliced rounds
Sour cream, for serving

  • Whisk together the cream with salt, pepper, a pinch of nutmeg and thyme.
  • Preheat the oven to 400°.
  • Stir in the apples and greens.
  • Arrange the sliced potatoes on top, alternating between the two colors, tucking in slices of red onion here and there.
  • Brush the topping with the cream mixture and transfer the pan to the oven.
  • Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the potatoes are tender and golden brown on top.
  • Cool for 10 minutes before serving with sour cream and a sprinkling of thyme.

ENGLISH STYLE BAKED POTATOES

Hubby has been complaining for quite some time now that baked potatoes just don’t taste the same anymore. Then the other day I ran across an article that while I knew was probably click bait, I had to check it out anyway. And I’m glad I did. I did pick and choose the parts that appealed to me the most. You can read the whole article here.

The article states that “English Jacket Potatoes Are the Best Baked Potatoes”! And they are correct! I just love the name “Jacket Potatoes”, it’s just so British. I believe this recipe has come the closest to reviving what we were looking for in a baked potato – a crispy outside with a tender fluffy inside.

The article lists 4 specific keys to achieving the perfect baked potato. Turns out that it isn’t difficult at all to make that perfect potato.

1) Slice a BIG X 1/4 inch deep in the potato. Typically here in America we poke a few holes in them to allow steam to escape, but the BIG X makes a HUGE difference. I then rub the potatoes with melted butter and coarse flaked salt.

2) Bake them longer than you usually do. 1 1/2-2 hours at 350-400° (depending on potato size) instead of 1 hour at 425°. They won’t burn at this temperature and baking for this long means the skin will be so crisp that it’s practically like a crispy cracker.

3) At the end of baking time, remove potatoes from the oven and cut the X deeper into the potato and slightly push the ends of the potatoes inward to open them up a bit. Return them to the oven for 10 more minutes. This will dry out the inside flesh and fluff it up a bit more.

4) Take the piping hot potatoes from the oven and push open the crisp, perfectly salted skin and garnish with butter, sour cream, chopped chives, shredded cheese, FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper… and whatever else suits your fancy. YOU WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED!

POTATO & CORN SALAD

POTATO & CORN SALAD
2 pounds YUKON potatoes, bite sized diced
4 ears sweet corn, cut off the cob
1 can chopped green chiles, drained well
1 LARGE shallot, diced
2 tablespoons butter
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/4 cup chopped FRESH cilantro
2/3 cup Mexican sour cream
1/3 cup Dukes Hint of Lime mayonnaise
2 LARGE limes, juiced
3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 cup crumbled Cotija cheese
Lime Wedges, for garnish
Minced green onions, for garnish

  • Place potatoes in a large sauce pan and cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered 5 minutes until potatoes are fork tender. Drain.
  • While potatoes are cooking, prepare corn.
  • Melt butter in large skillet (preferably cast iron).
  • Add corn and shallots, sauteing until corn is a bit charred.
  • Add green chiles and FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, sauteing 5 minutes more and then set aside to cool a bit.
  • While potatoes are cooking and corn is sauteing, prepare sauce.
  • Whisk together the mayonnaise, sour cream, apple cider vinegar and lime juice.
  • After potatoes are drained ad them while still warm to the mayonnaise mixture.
  • Fold in the corn mixture and cheese, stirring to blend well.
  • Chill several hours until ready to serve.
  • Serve with lime wedges and sprinkled minced green onion.

SUPER EASY SCALLOPED POTATOES or AU GRATIN with CHIVES

For years and years I was taught to make scalloped potatoes with even layers and a sprinkling here and a seasoning there… BUT, here is the easiest recipe for a scalloped, au gratin potato dish. 😀 The shallower the dish equals more golden gooey cheese 😀

SUPER EASY SCALLOPED POTATOES or AU GRATIN with CHIVES & FLAVOR serves 6-8
2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, washed and sliced 1/4 inch thick
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon FRESH thyme
1 1/3 cups heavy cream
1/3 cup WHOLE milk
2 tablespoons WONDRA flour
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste
2 cups QUALITY grated Gruyere cheese (I sometimes use Havarti)
1/4 cup FRESH chives, minced for garnish

  • Preheat oven to 400°.
  • Spray a 9×13 inch shallow baking dish with non stick spray.
  • In a large bowl whisk together the heavy cream, milk, flour, salt and pepper until well blended.
  • Fold in the potatoes, green onions, garlic, thyme and most of the chives until well mixed and coated.
  • Fold in 1/2 cup of the cheese.
  • POUR (here’s the easy part) the mixture into your baking dish.
  • Press the mixture down so that the potatoes are submerged in the liquid.
  • Cover with foil and bake 40 minutes.
  • Remove the foil and bake 20 minutes more.
  • Sprinkle with the remaining cheese and bake 5-7 minutes more until golden and bubbling.
  • Top with remaining chives and serve.

BBQ MEATBALLS & BACON CHEDDAR BAKED POTATOES

BBQ MEATBALLS & BACON CHEDDAR BAKED POTATOES serves 4
This quick and easy, but also budget friendly meal is flavor packed for a quick weeknight meal.

MEATBALLS
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound ground beef
2/3 cup FRESH breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons + 3/4 cup of your favorite BBQ sauce
1/2 cup beef broth
1 LARGE egg
1/4 cup FINELY chopped red onion
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped parsley, + more for garnish

  • In a large bowl combine ground beef, breadcrumbs, egg, red onion, 2 tablespoons parsley and 2 tablespoons BBQ sauce gently mixing JUST until combined.
  • Divide into 12 meatballs.
  • In a large ovenproof skillet melt butter over medium high heat making sure to coat sides also.
  • Add meatballs and brown 5-7 minutes until all sides are browned.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the 3/4 cup BBQ sauce and beef broth.
  • Pour into skillet around meatballs. Turn meatballs to coat.
  • Bring to a LOW boil, reduce heat and cover, simmer 5-7 minutes until sauce is heated through and meatballs are well coated.
  • Heat broiler.
  • Sprinkle cheese evenly over meatballs.
  • Broil 2 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
  • Garnish with parsley.

POTATOES
4 LARGE Yukon gold potatoes
2-3 slices bacon, diced
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/3 cup FULL fat sour cream
4 tablespoons butter, divided and softened
2 green onions, FINELY diced

  • Preheat oven 400°.
  • Line baking sheet with foil.
  • Wash potatoes and pierce with fork.
  • Add potatoes to baking sheet.
  • Bake 1 hour until tender.
  • While potatoes are bacon, crisp up bacon in skillet and drain on paper toweling.
  • When potatoes are tender, slit them open.
  • Add 1 tablespoon of butter to each potato and generously sprinkle with
  • FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Add bacon pieces and cheese.
  • Increase heat to broil.
  • Add potatoes, broiling 2-3 minutes until cheese melts and becomes golden.
  • Add a dollop of sour cream and sprinkle with green onions or chives.

MEATBALL POTATO GRATIN

MEATBALL POTATO GRATIN
2 cans sliced potatoes, drained WELL
1 can NIBLETS corn, drained
1 small bunch green onions, chopped
1 can cream of potato soup
1/2 cup sour cream
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3/4 pound frozen cooked meatballs, thawed
1/2 cup shredded baby Swiss cheese
Chopped FRESH parsley for garnish

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Blend together the soup, sour cream, green onions, salt and pepper.
  • Add potatoes, gently tossing to coat.
  • Spread potato mixture into baking dish.
  • Nestle meatballs into the potato mixture.
  • Even sprinkle cheese.
  • Bake 35-40 minutes until golden and bubbly.
  • Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

HAMBURGER HASH

Toss out the hamburger helper and make this instead. Another tasty one pot meal full of flavor and texture that’s quick and easy for classic comfort food weeknight family meal. The beauty of this recipe is that it is super easy to adjust the servings. I’m making most recipes for 2 these days, but just double or triple up and feed 4-6 in a jif.

HAMBURGER HASH – serves 2 adapted from SpaceShips and Laser Beams
Prep Time 15 mins Cook Time 20 mins Total Time 35 mins

1 SMALL russet potatoes, peeled and chopped into bite size pieces
1 small turnip or rutabaga, peeled and chopped into bite size pieces

3/4 pound lean ground beef
1/2 Vidalia onion, diced
2 teaspoons avocado oil
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Garden Gourmet Italian seasoning (or 2 teaspoons dried)
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1/4 cup beef broth

1 1/4 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese

  • Boil potatoes 3-5 minutes until tender, BUT NOT too soft.
  • Drain and set potatoes aside.
  • In a large nonstick or greased skillet, over high heat, cook ground beef until browned. Drain off fat. Set cooked beef aside.
  • 
Using the same skillet over medium heat avocado oil.
  • Add onion, potatoes, Italian seasoning, minced garlic, salt, and pepper. Toss well to evenly coat potatoes and onions in seasoning, cooking 10-15 minutes and stirring often until potatoes and onions have started to brown and crisp.
  • Fold ground beef back to the skillet, stirring well to mix.
  • Add broth and simmer until broth is mostly absorbed.
  • Add cheese, stirring until well mixed and melted.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Serve hot. 


NOTES

  • ALWAYS start your potatoes in cold water. Adding them directly to boiling water will immediately cook the outsides while the insides will take longer. Use a fork to gently pierce the potatoes while they are boiling. When the fork will pierce the potato easily but not break it apart, your potatoes are ready.
  • If using dried herbs, use a mortar and pestle or rub them between your clean dry palms to break them up and revive their flavor essence before adding them to your recipe.

HERB & CHEESE POTATO GRATIN

HERB & CHEESE POTATO GRATIN adapted from TARA TEASPOON

Yukon Gold potatoes plus a couple sweet potatoes mixed with QUALITY FLAVORFUL  cheese, and lots of FRESH herbs come together to make a show stopping delicious side dish perfect for the holidays – any holiday, or Sunday family gathering meal!

SERVES 8-10      PREP TIME 20 mins     BAKE TIME 50-60 minutes

2 small sweet potatoes
8 small Yukon gold potatoes
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon FRESH dried parsley
1 teaspoon FRESH thyme
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground sage
1 teaspoon FRESH chopped rosemary
8 ounces (2 cups grated) QUALITY Gruyère OR Fontina cheese
1/2 cup thinly sliced Vidalia onion, chopped
1/2 cup whole milk or half-and-half
1/2 cup chicken broth

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Spray baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Peel potatoes.
  • Using a mandolin or vegetable slicer, cut potatoes into VERY thin slices.
  • In a large bowl, gently toss potatoes with salt, pepper, garlic powder, parsley, thyme, sage, rosemary, cheese, and onion, until everything is evenly mixed. Be careful not to break the thin potato slices.
  • Working with a small handful of potatoes at a time, gently line up coated slices in a 10-inch cast-iron skillet or 2-quart baking dish.
  • Whisk together the milk and broth. Pour over and around potatoes.
  • Cover pan with foil and seal around edges.
  • Bake 50 minutes.
  • Remove foil. Continue to bake 15-20 minutes more until potatoes are tender and golden. Test the potatoes with a thin knife to see if they are tender throughout.
  • Cool slightly, but serve hot.