Smash potatoes

This pretty basic and be used for any number of potatoes.  I used yukon gold and they turned out amazing.

Boil potatoes in salted water 25 minutes or until fork slides out easily.

On foil lined baking sheet smash potatoes.  (Thickness will determine baking time).  Add 1 Tbsp butter to the middle of each potato.  Drizzle with EVOO and sprinkle with seasoning of choice.  I used salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder.

Bake at 425 degrees for about 20 minutes or until close to desired crispness.  I added Parmesan cheese and let it get golden brown.  

Serve up 

Instant Pot Mac and Cheese

Ingredients:

16 ounces elbow macaroni

4 cups chicken broth

4 Tablespoons butter

½ teaspoon salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 cup half and half

2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded

½ cup shredded Mozzarella cheese

½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

½ teaspoon garlic salt

½ teaspoon dry mustard

Instructions:

Place macaroni in Instant Pot. Pour chicken broth over macaroni so that all macaroni is completely covered by liquid.

Cut butter into small pieces and place on top of pasta. Add salt.

Cook on MANUAL button for 4 minutes.

When finished cooking, allow for a 5 minute NATURAL RELEASE, then move the venting to VENTING to quickly release the remaining pressure. 

Add half and half, cheddar cheese, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese. Add in seasonings and mix together until the cheese is all smooth and melted.

Funeral Potatoes

  24 oz frozen hash browns

2 can cream of chicken soup

2 c sour cream

1 c grated cheddar cheese

1/2 c melted butter

1/2 c chopped onion (optional)

crushed potatoes chips or ritz crackers (optional)

Mix all except the chips.  Spread into a 9 x 13 pan.  Top with chips.  Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Can be made ahead and baked day of.  Cream of mushroom can be used for cream of chicken.  And I have used colby jack instead of cheddar and love it just the same.

Cheesey Potatoes ala Nellie

Ingredient

4 whole russet potatoes, scrubbed clean

2 Tbsp butter

2 c. heavy cream or half and half

2 Tbsp. flour

4 cloves garlic, finely minced

1 tsp. salt

Freshly ground pepper, to taste

1 c. Sharp cheddar cheese, freshly grated

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Spread butter to the bottom of a baking dish.

Slice potatoes lengthwise into strips (think French fry)

In a separate bowl, whisk together cream, flour, minced garlic, salt, and plenty of freshly ground black pepper. 

Place 1/3 of the potatoes in the bottom of the baking dish. Pour 1/3 of the cream mixture over the potatoes. 

Repeat this two more times, ending with the cream mixture. 

Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. 

Remove foil and bake for 20 minutes, or until potatoes are golden brown and really bubbling. 

Add grated cheese to the top of the potatoes and bake for 3 to 5 more minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Mashed potatoes (make ahead)

The Pioneer Woman has never steered me wrong.  These are great for Turkey Day.  I make mine a day ahead and they heat beautifully.

Ingredients:

5 lb.  potatoes

3/4 c. butter

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup half-and-half

1 tsp pepper

1 Tbsp black pepper

Directions:

1.   Peel and cut the potatoes into pieces that are generally the same size. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer and add the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook for 30 to 35 minutes. A  fork should easily slide into the potatoes with no resistance, and the potatoes should almost, but not totally, fall apart.

2. Drain the potatoes in a large colander. When the potatoes have finished draining, place them back into the dry pot and put the pot on the stove. Mash the potatoes over low heat, allowing all the steam to escape, before adding in all the other ingredients.

3.Turn off the stove and add butter, cream cheese, half-and-half, salt and pepper.  Then Mash.

4.  Stir well and place in a medium-sized baking dish. Add pats of butter over the top of the potatoes and place them in a 350-degree oven and heat until butter is melted and potatoes are warmed through. OR

If makinga day or two in advance, take it out of the fridge about 2 to 3 hours before serving time. Bake in a 350-degree oven for about 20 to 30 minutes or until warmed through.

Sweet potato fries

I was such a fan of this next Blue Apron recipe that I burned my hubby out on it.  It was guacamole burgers which is easy and a nice variation on a burger.  The side was baked sweet potato fries.

Ingredients:
sweet potatoes
red onion or purple if you are like me and call it like you see it.  =)
olive oil
salt and pepper

There really isn't a recipe per say and you can make as little or as much as you need.  You halve the sweet potato lengthwise then cut cross wise into 1\4 inch thick pieces. Peel the onion, halve and thickly slice.   Place the sweet potatoes and onios on a baking sheet.  Drizzle with oil, salt and pepper.  Bake for 16 - 18 minutes at 450 degrees.

Such and easy side.

Dill Pickle Pasta Salad

This is a new favorite.  Super easy and very yummy.  The first few times I used cheese but my family likes it better without.

1/2 lb. dry pasta shells (about 3 cups cooked)
3/4 c. sliced pickles
2/3 c. diced cheddar cheese (optional)
3 Tbsp. diced white onion
1 tsp. dried dill or 2 Tbsp fresh
1/2 c. pickle juice

Dressing:
2/3 c. mayo
1/3 c. sour cream
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
4 Tbsp. pickle juice
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. onion powder
Salt & pepper to taste

Boil pasta according to directions (al dente).  Run under water then toss with 1/2 c. pickle juice for at least 5 minutes.  Then drain and discard pickle juice.

Combine all dressing ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.

Toss, pasta, pickles,cheese, onion dill, and dressing.

Refrigerate at least 1 hour.  This is a good one to make a day ahead.  You may have to add a bit more mayo but the flavors come together nicely the second day.

Tomato pie

I have about a million tomatoes coming on right now... Ok maybe I exaggerate.... This being the case I took to Pinterest for a use and came across tomato pie from Tastes better from scratch.  I had never tried such a thing but it sounded great to me with a few changes.

5 tomatoes, peeled and sliced
10 fresh basil leaves, chopped
1/2 c. chopped green onion
1 c. grated mozzarella
1 c. Monterey jack
3/4 c. mayo
2 Tbsp Parmesan
1 tsp minced garlic
salt and pepper

7 pre-baked deep dish pie shell


Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Place tomatoes in a coandar in sink.  Sprinkle with salt and allow to drain for at least 15 minutes.  Blot juice with paper towel.  The less juice the better otherwise you'll have soggy pie.

Layer tomatoes, basil, and onion, then repeat.  I did 3 layers.  Season with pepper (not salt or you'll be too salty since you used salt above)

Combine the mayo, garlic and first 2 cheeses in a both then put onto pie

Sprinkle with Parmesan

Bake for 30 minutes and serve warm.

tips:

I sliced then realized I didn't peel.  Not good.  Peeling is important.  If necessary, blanche them for a minute in boiling water until the skin bursts then they will be easier to peel.

I used salt and pepper on the pie but it was too salty because of all of the salt from the previous step

My pie was juicy because I didn't let the tomatoes sit long enough/or blot with a paper towel

Bake your pie shell, other wise it takes double the time.

That being said, even with the mistakes I made it was still yummy.  Yummy enough for seconds so I might also add, it is supposed to make 6 slices but we only made 4 and it was gone between the 2 of us...  =)

Mac and Cheese

My friend Traci introduced me to Fondue many moons ago and this incorporates her fondue recipe into the ultimate comfort food recipe.

8 oz. elbow noodles cooked al dente DO NOT OVER COOK
1 tsp. dry mustard
3 Tbsp flour
3 Tbsp butter
1 c. milk
2 c. cheese ( shredded or cubed)
salt and pepper to taste

Melt butter in a large pan.  Whisk in flour, salt, pepper and mustard.  Let cook until bubbly and darkened.  Let's call it a Roux.  =)

Mix in milk well, then add cheese.  Keep whisking until the cheese is melted.  Then add noodles.

Pour into 8 x 8 pan sprayed with pam.  Liberally cover with bread crumbs.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes covered in foil.  Remove foil the last 15 minutes to brown it up.

Enjoy