Cheese and Bacon Potato Rounds

Um. Hello love, uh I mean potato....oh wait, that can pretty much be one in the same right?  I know a lot of  women enjoy salads/soups etc., but I have always been the "bring on the meat and potatoes!" kinda gal.  Add cheese and bacon to the mix and wowzers, you may have me for life!  This dish reminds me of potato skins and according to my fan club peeps, they tasted better than TGI Fridays potato skins.  I don't know if they were being totally truthful, I mean I know there is a bias underlying there somewhere :)  However, they were pretty tasty!  Give 'em a try!  I found the original recipe over here.....but left out an ingredient in my own recipe. 

What I used:
6 potatoes, sliced to 1/2" thickness
1/4 cup butter, melted
enough shredded cheese to cover the taters
4 strips of turkey bacon cooked and sliced and diced into small pieces

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.  Wash your potatoes up then begin slicing away.  Once you are done cutting up all your potatoes coat both sides with butter.  Bake for 35 min.  Remove from oven and top with cheese and bacon and return to oven until the cheese is melted.  It won't take too long for that to happen!  Remove from oven and enjoy!  Oh, are these ever good!

From my kitchen to yours, ENJOY!

Potatoes au Gratin

My honey and I decided to have a date night in so I decided to get creative!  I wanted to fix something NEW and exciting :)  Since my hubby is the epitome of a meat and potatoes man, I found this recipe to be simply perfect!  I had not tried my hands at Potatoes au Gratin for one reason alone....with a name like that it sounded rather time consuming!!  However, this recipe proved me wrong!  Give 'em a try and let me know what you think!

What I used:

• 4 whole large Potatoes, Scrubbed Clean
• 2 Tablespoons Butter, Softened
• 1-½ cup Heavy Cream
• ½ cup 2% Milk
• 2 Tablespoons Flour
• 2 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
•  Ground Pepper, to taste
• 1 cup mild cheddar cheese, shredded

 Pre-heat over to 400 degrees.  Slice your potatoes thin, but not too thin.  Quarter them up as you go and toss them in a bowl of water to keep them from turning colors.  Once your potatoes are all cut up mix together your heavy whipping cream, milk, flour, garlic powder, salt and pepper!  Mix well.  Take your softened butter and smear it all around your baking dish.  (I used a round casserole dish)  Add 1/2 of your potatoes to the bowl and top with 1/2 of your liquid mixture.  Repeat layer until all potatoes and liquid are in your baking dish.  Wrap with foil and bake for 30 min.  Remove foil and cook another 20 min. 
Remove dish from the oven and top with cheddar cheese and place back in oven for another 5 min. or so.   
The cooking time takes awhile, but the end result is phenomenal!

Breakfast fries

I love to make my husband breakfast in bed especially on his day off.  He usually leaves the house by 7:30-7:45 most days so I don't get to make him breakfast in bed too often.  Well, I was inspired to add something new to the mix this time around.  I made him these breakfast fries that were SO good and incredibly simple to make!

What I used:
2 med. russet potatoes, cubed
3 tbsp. butter
salt, pepper, seasoned salt to taste

Wash your potatoes and cube them.

Get your butter in your skillet and start melting it on med-high heat

Add potatoes

Add seasonings

Cover and cook for 10 min.

Remove lid and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes or until potatoes are cooked through. Stirring frequently.

The finished product.....I promise you, your taste buds will thank you!

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

My husband the chef pt. 1

My husband is quite the chef!  He enjoys cooking and I love that he enjoys helping me out!  He made me a candlelight dinner the other day and it was SO GOOD!!  One of the things he made was a spicy bbq potato wedges.  MMMMMM....MMMMM!!!

What he used:
4 Russett potatoes, sliced and diced into wedges
3 Tbsp. butter, melted
1 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. chili powder
2 Tbsp. garlic powder
1 Tbsp. seasoned salt
salt and pepper, sprinkled on top

Preheat oven to 450.
Slice and dice your potatoes into wedges.  If you are not going to be able to cook your potatoes right away, it is always a good idea to keep them in water so they do not turn an unattractive gray color.

Spread potatoes out onto a greased baking pan.

Use a baster to put butter on potatoes then repeat with honey

Add your seasonings (quite honestly, he didn't really measure everything out, he just sprinkled the seasonings on until they were coated well.)

This is what it should look like once everything is on the potatoes

Pop these babies in the oven for 25-30 min.
SO GOOD!  I used a honey mustard as a dipping sauce and it was just delicious!  

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

Shepherds Pie

I have had this dish many times but had never put my mind to making it....honestly I don't know why! It was a wonderful hit with the family! Even my two year old was asking for more and that is a rare occasion! It sure does "hit the spot" on those cold wintry days.

What I used:
1lb. ground beef (for a healthier option you can use turkey)
1/2 bag of frozen mixed veggies
3/4 cup beef broth
2tsp. Worcester sauce
12 red potatoes, peeled, quartered and cooked

Pre-heat your oven to 400 degrees. Get your potatoes in your pot to boil. If you don't have much time I am sure you can also use the boxed potatoes and make your recipe even easier! While the potatoes are cooking put brown your beef until cooked through. While your beef is browning add your broth, Worcester sauce and veggies. Cook until the meat is brown. Now, back to your potatoes. Make up your mashed potatoes how you normally do. I added a dash of garlic powder just for some added flavor. Take a baking dish (depending on your family size) I used a dish just a little smaller then a 9x13. Spray with cooking spray. Add your meat and veggie mixture. Top with your mashed potatoes. Bake uncovered for 30 min., until the mixture is bubbly or the potatoes are browned.
From our table to yours, bon appetite!















This photo was taken just before the Shepherd's Pie went into the oven.

Skillet Potatoes with Bacon and Cheddar

These were SUCH good potatoes! My husband made them as a side dish and WOW! They were a hit! It does take a little bit longer to make, but definitely worth the wait! Give 'em a try and let me know what you think! The recipe is from Kraft food and family magazine, but you can also find it online at the link to the right!

What the recipe called for:

4 slices Bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces

1 onion, chopped (we used minced garlic instead)

2 lb. Yukon gold potatoes (about 6), thinly sliced (we used russett)

1 cup Shredded Cheddar Cheese

6 Tbsp. Sour Cream

COOK bacon in large nonstick skillet on medium heat until crisp. Remove bacon with slotted spoon, reserving 3 Tbsp. drippings in skillet. Drain bacon on paper towels. Add onions to skillet; cook and stir 5 min. Stir in potatoes; cover. Cook on medium-low heat 20 to 25 min. or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally.

TOP with cheese and bacon; cook, covered, 1 to 2 min. or until cheese is melted.

SERVE topped with sour cream.

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

Best Potato Salad!

"This is the best potato salad I've ever had!" are the words my hubby used to describe this great American classic. I had yet to try my hand at Potato Salad but had really been craving it for awhile. I made it up last week and even our 10 month old enjoyed it!

What I use:
6 med. potatoes
1 1/4 cup mayo.
1 Tbsp. prepared mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 cup thinly sliced celery
1/4 cup sliced dilly pickles
3 hard boiled eggs, coarsely chopped
dash of paprika

1. Peel and cube potatoes. Place in water and boil around 20 min., drain.

2. Meanwhile, in a large bowl combine the mayo, mustard, salt and pepper.

3. Stir in celery and pickles. Add the potatoes and eggs. Toss lightly to coat. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

4. Just before serving sprinkle on your paprika.

From our table to yours, bon appetite!

Hashbrown Casserole

Looking for a great side dish to that "perfect" meal? This is such a yummy dish, though I must admit, it is not all that healthy! I rarely make this delicious casserole simply for that reason, but when I do we make sure to savor every creamy bite :)

What I used:
1 can creamy potato soup
1 cup sour cream
1 tbs. all purpose flour
1/2 tsp. garlic salt
1 pkg. frozen hashbrown potatoes
2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1/3 c. grated parmesan cheese
Paprika

In a bowl combine soup, sour cream, flour and garlic salt. Stir in potatoes & cheddar cheese. Pour into a greased baking dish. Sprinkle with paremsan cheese and paprika. Bake uncovered at 350 for 50-60 min. or until potatoes or are tender.

Heart Warming Potato Soup

There is nothing like a good hearty potato soup on a cold wintery day! This recipe is yet again from a friend of mine. I have not tried this recipe, but she says it is a winter favorite of theirs. Makes me want to go make my own Potato soup! Thanks Em for the recipe!

Potato Cheese Soup

4 c sliced potatoes

2 c water or chicken stock

2 t salt

Cook the above ingredients until potatoes are tender. Keep the liquid.

Saute:

1 sm onion, sliced in

1 T oil

Now place some of the cooked potatoes, the saved liquid, and the sautéed onion in a blender and puree (with blender no more than half full) until all the potatoes are smooth. Return the potato mixture to the pot and add:

3 c milk.

Now add:

1 c grated cheese

2 T butter

1/4 t pepper

pinch garlic powder

Stir continuously. Heat until cheese is melted and soup is hot but not boiling. If thicker than you want, add more stock and then adjust the seasonings to your taste.

Tater Tot Casserole

Not sure if you all are fans of the famous tater tot, but this is a tasty meal and doesn't take much time, which is pretty precious these days! Who wants to spend hours in the kitchen making a meal when you have little one or even big kids around to spend time with?! :)

What I used:

1 lb. ground turkey
1 can cream of mushroom soup
dash of salt and pepper
1 dollop of daisy (dollop of sour cream...I couldn't resist!)
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 bag of tater tots

1. Brown your meat. Once browned add your soup, mix well.

2. Add your meat to a greased baking dish, mix in sour cream and cheese. Top with tator tots. Pop it in the oven at 375 for 30-35 min.

From our table to yours, bon appetite!