 |
| Creamy Scalloped Potatoes |
Scalloped potatoes were a holiday tradition when I was growing up. Every Christmas Eve we would have fried fish, scalloped potatoes and oyster stew, along with an assortment of other homemade goodies. Holidays were a time of celebration and plenty. No matter how many people showed up, no one ever went home hungry.
The scalloped potato recipe I use is similar to the one my mom used to make. I hope you enjoy it, too.
Creamy Scalloped Potatoes
Ingredients
2 pounds potatoes
4 tablespoons butter
4 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 teaspoons salt (or to taste)
2 cups milk
2-4 tablespoons diced onions or chives
1/2 pound cheese, thinly sliced or shredded
Directions
Grease a 9×13 pan (preferably Pyrex or ceramic) with butter or lard. Preheat oven to 350 F. Peel or scrub potatoes, slice thinly. Place potatoes in cold water while you make the sauce.
To make the cream sauce. Melt butter over low heat in a medium to large heavy saucepan (one that has room for the potatoes), stirring frequently with a wooden spoon. Blend in flour, pepper and salt. Cook over low heat, stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbly.
Stir in milk.
Bring mixture to boil, stirring constantly. Boil one minute. Mixture will become thick and creamy. this is a basic white sauce.
Add onions or chives to sauce. Drain potatoes thoroughly in a colander (I like my over the sink strainer). Pour potatoes into hot warm sauce, toss to coat.
At this point, you can either add the shredded cheese right in the sauce pot, or add in in layers as you place the potatoes in the pan. I had some leftover homemade mozzarella, so I sliced it and layered it in the pan. (Layer of potatoes, layer of cheese, another layer of potatoes.)
Cover with foil and bake for around one hour, until center is bubbling. Remove foil and bake ten minutes more to brown the top. Remove from oven, let rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Serves 6-8.
Do you have a favorite holiday potato dish?
I am so intrigued by this. I have so much trouble finding scalloped potato recipes, or making them myself that are those from my childhood. I will have to give this a go. Thank you for sharing them. As for my favorite holiday potatoes, I am going to go with a traditional choice, but with a twist. I love camembert mashed potatoes. Happy holidays!
Becky – I hope it works well for you. The camembert mashed potatoes sound great – at least to me! I'm not sure I could sell my husband and boys on them. I'm the flavorful cheese lover in the house.