Potato Casserole

When we have a holiday family gathering I usually volunteer to bring a potato dish and end up making holiday mashed potatoes.  But the nice thing about being in charge of the potatoes is that there is a whole variety of things you can make with potatoes.  This year, for Easter,  I did something a little different and it turned out great.  This recipe made enough for six adult and two kids.

Potato Casserole

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

6-8 Large Red Potatoes(cut into 1 inch cubes with the peels left on)

1 Can Cream of Mushroom Soup

1 Can Cream of Potato Soup

2 Tsp Onion Powder

2 Tsp Garlic Powder

1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

1/2 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese

First,preheat the oven to 375. Next, evenly place all the cubed potatoes into a large baking dish(13×9).  In a separate mixing bowl, mix together the soups, onion powder, garlic powder, and whipping cream.  Mix until well blended.  Next, pour the soup mixture over the potatoes and sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the top.  Cover and bake at for 45 minutes then bake uncovered for an additional 15 minutes.

This really is a simple recipe and the dish was empty by the time dinner was finished!

Parmesan Potato Patties

Last night we were deciding what to make for dinner and we decided on some chicken, asparagus, and mashed potatoes.  My eight year old wanted to be in charge of the mashed potatoes because she had a special idea.  Usually we add some special ingredients like we do for our thanksgiving mashed potatoes.  I asked her what she had in mind and Parmesan Potato Patties is what she came up with.  They were very tasty and just a little different from having regular mashed potatoes.

Parmesan Potato Patties

Ingredients:

3 Large Russet Potatoes(peeled and diced)

3/4 cup Half n Half

1/2 Stick of Butter

3/4 Cup Shredded Parmesan Cheese

1/2 Tsp Salt

1/2 Tsp Black Pepper

First, boil the potatoes until they are fork tender.  Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them and add the butter,half n half, salt, and pepper.  Mix together over medium speed for 1-2 minutes(until smooth).  Next, cover the potatoes and place in the refrigerator to cool. Cool for approximately 30 minutes.  The potatoes need to be slightly cooled so they are easier to form into patties and so the Parmesan cheese does not melt right away. Once the potatoes are cooled, slowly mix in 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese.  Using a 1/2 cup measuring cup, place 6-8  3″ potato patties on a cookie sheet(just empty the half cup scoop and press down slightly to make approximately a 3″ circle of mashed potatoes).  Now, sprinkle the remainder of the cheese evenly over the potato patties.

Put them under the broiler on low for 6-7 minutes or until the cheese is browned and the potato patties are hot.

 

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Every house has their own “staple foods”, in other words foods that are a part of your weekly menu.These are things that you always seem to have on hand.  I believe that every household has their own list of staple foods. In our house, you can always find chicken, pasta,  potatoes, and broccoli.  We cook with all of these quite often.  We usually eat these foods on a weekly basis.  We often make baked sweet potato fries with the sweet potatoes we have on hand. My sister made these for me once and ever since I have been hooked.  These are very easy with minimal prep time and they are a tasty side dish.

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients:

2 Large Sweet Potatoes

1/4 Cup Olive Oil

2 TBS Brown Sugar

First preheat your oven to 350 degrees.  Next, slice the potatoes into 1/2 inch thick round slices.

 

 

 

 

 

Place potatoes in a single layer on a cookie sheet and drizzle them with olive oil.  Sprinkle with brown sugar and bake for 45 minutes. That’s it….it is that easy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These really are a simple side dish and they are a nice change from regular french fries. We often have these when we have steaks, ribs, or pork chops. I usually plan to have 1 sweet potato for every person.

 

 

 

 

Mashed Potatoes

Don’t forget while you are cooking your Christmas dinner to use the Thanksgiving Mashed Potatoes recipe from last month.  This is an easy way to improve on traditional mashed potatoes and is sure to impress your guests.  My family loves these and I will be making them this weekend. You can also add shredded cheddar cheese on top and heat until melted.

Thanksgiving Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

*6 Large Russet Potatoes(peeled and diced)

3/4 cup Half n Half

1/2 Stick of Butter

6 Slices of Thick Cut Bacon

3/4 Cup of Cheddar Cheese

1/2 Tsp Salt

1/2 Tsp Black Pepper

First, boil the potatoes until they are fork tender.  Cook the bacon over medium high heat until done and set aside.  Reserve the bacon grease.  Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them and add the butter, bacon grease, half n half, salt, and pepper.  Mix together over medium speed for 1-2 minutes(depending on how smooth you like your mashed potatoes).  Next chop your bacon and stir into potatoes along with the cheddar cheese.

This recipe will make 6-8 servings.

*Sometimes I make this recipe using red potatoes.  If you use red potatoes you can leave the skins on, just dice them and boil with the skins on.

 

Holiday Mashed Potatoes

With Easter tomorrow here is a great mashed potato recipe that will make your mouth water. I have to admit that my favorite holiday dish is mashed potatoes.  I make these mashed potatoes once or twice a year and they are always a crowd pleaser.

Holiday Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

*6 Large Russet Potatoes(peeled and diced)

3/4 cup Half n Half

1/2 Stick of Butter

6 Slices of Thick Cut Bacon

3/4 Cup of Cheddar Cheese

1/2 Tsp Salt

1/2 Tsp Black Pepper

First, boil the potatoes until they are fork tender.  Cook the bacon over medium high heat until done and set aside.  Reserve the bacon grease.  Once the potatoes are cooked, drain them and add the butter, bacon grease, half n half, salt, and pepper.  Mix together over medium speed for 1-2 minutes(depending on how smooth you like your mashed potatoes).  Next chop your bacon and stir into potatoes along with the cheddar cheese.

This recipe will make 6-8 servings.

*Sometimes I make this recipe using red potatoes.  If you use red potatoes you can leave the skins on, just dice them and boil with the skins on.