Archive for the ‘POTATOES’ Category
Mashed Potato Pie
March 8, 2017 Lee
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Mashed Potato Pie

This sounds really tasty as a side dish with meatloaf or a roast chicken or turkey. This is what I call a Leftover dish, using left over mashed potatoes, even the cottage cheese can be from a previous meal. On my to cook list. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups mashed potatoes, leftovers are perfect, room temp
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/4 cup Cottage cheese, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1/4 cup sour cream, OR make from a shortcut
  • 2 spring onions, chopped, white and green
  • 2 slices bacon, chopped, fried crisp
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 190 C. Lightly butter a baking dish.
  • In a mixing bowl, beat the eggs and add in the cottage cheese and sour cream. Stir to combine and add the potatoes and remaining ingredients. Mix together well and pour into the baking dish.
  • Bake for 20 minutes on the center rack, then move the dish to the upper rack and cook for another 6-7 minutes or until it begins to get golden brown. Let sit for a couple minutes before slicing, serve as a side.

Notes

Low cost.
Shortcuts: Cottage Cheese, Sour Cream.
Provided courtesy of good friend, Stephen Connell.
United States.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,LEFTOVERS,POTATOES,SIDES
Scalloped Potatoes & Brats
February 9, 2017 Lee
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Scalloped Potatoes & Brats

Sounds like a good hearty meal, potatoes and brats, can be made with any good quality hot dogs or even smoked sausage.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 5 medium potatoes, washed, thinly sliced
  • 8 brats, halved lengthwise and sliced
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 1/4 cup all purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley, OR 2 tablespoons fresh minced

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Grease a large baking dish with butter.
  • In a saucepan, saute onion in butter until tender. Stir in flour, salt and pepper until blended. Gradually add milk. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Remove from the heat; stir in cheese until melted. Add parsley.
  • Place half of the potatoes in the baking dish; top with half of the sauce. Arrange brat pieces over the sauce. Top with remaining potatoes and sauce.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until bubbly, uncover and bake for 10 minutes or until the top is lightly browned, let rest for 5 minutes, serve.

Notes

I cannot price this accurately until I get brats again, but I will guess no more that 150 Baht for 8 brats. For 4 servings, this is about $1.10 per serving.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Fair Value $1.01 to $1.50 per Serving,Pork - Sausage,POTATOES
Au Gratin Potatoes I
October 15, 2016 Lee
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Au Gratin Potatoes I

Cheese and potatoes, my kind of side dish. This can be costly depending on the cheese you use, but would be a great meal for visiting friends and family. This is an unusual method, but works surprisingly well. This is not your typical potatoes swimming in cheese sauce recipe, the potatoes soak up butter from the bottom of the dish, and some of the cheese sauce on top soaks down into the potatoes. I made this on 31 Aug 2018, excellent potatoes!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/4 kilos potatoes, washed, skin on
  • 1 onion
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons flour
  • 1 teaspoon mustard powder
  • 2 cups milk
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 1 cup Gruyere cheese, shredded, OR use Swiss cheese
  • salt and cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 200 C (400 F), get out a casserole or baking pan and lightly grease with butter. (I used a smaller amount of potatoes so I used my 5x7 baking dish.)
  • Thinly slice the potatoes into 1/8 inch thick slices, a mandolin would be the best item to use for this, it is faster than using a knife and will provide uniform slices.
  • After the potatoes, slice the onion as thin as possible as well, again, a mandolin works great with the onions, separate the onions into rings as well. (I know, crappy photo.)
  • Once the potatoes and onions sliced, make little stacks, starting with a potato slice, couple of onion ring slices, another potato, and so on until the stack is 2 inches high or so, ending with a potato slice on top. Do this for all the slices.
  • Now take the stacks and place them in the baking dish on one side of the stack. Instead of layering them, the edges of the potatoes will be facing upwards.
  • Before you start making the sauce, have the milk, cheese, and other ingredients ready for use, the sauce comes together quickly.
  • Melt the butter in a saucepan then whisk in the flour and cook this for 2-3 minutes, then whisk in the the mustard, salt and pepper to your liking, and the milk. Whisk continuously until this thickens and is bubbly. Remove from heat and stir in the shredded cheeses until full melted in. (This photo is after I spooned it over the potatoes.)
  • Pour or spoon the cheese sauce over the potatoes, covering the dish evenly. Cover with foil. If the edges of potatoes may touch the foil, lightly grease the foil with butter (not the edges of foil) and then cover with the foil, greased side down.
  • Bake this for 1 hour, then remove the foil and bake for another 20-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the potatoes are cooked through.
  • Serve with a main dish of your choice.

Notes

Only costly items is the cheeses. Using half a block each of Cheddar and Swiss would be 90 Baht each, 180 Baht total. For 8 servings, this is about 70 cents per serving.
Note about the cheeses: Feel free to use just one cheese, or a combination of two cheeses, use your favorite type(s) of cheese to make this dish your own.
Inspired by Spend With Pennies and the link to this recipe is here.
United States.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,POTATOES,SIDES
Skillet Breakfast Hash Browns
July 28, 2016 Lee
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Skillet Breakfast Hash Browns

This sounds really good, hash browns (hopefully you use real hash browns) are cooked in a cast iron pan, then the filling is added, then cooked in the oven. Easy! Link to the shortcut is listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Breakfast, Lunch, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 500 grams potatoes, washed, skin on
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 6 eggs
  • 1/3 cup heavy cream, OR milk, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2-3 srping onions, chopped, green and white parts

Instructions
 

  • Shred the potatoes and rinse in cold water and squeeze out water, really squeeze. Do this 3-4 times until the water is clear when squeezed (you just made hash browns), and place in a large bowl, season with the salt, pepper, and paprika, and toss until mixed. Set aside.
  • Preheat your oven to 180 C.
  • In a cast iron pan, cook the bacon until crispy, remove and crumble, pour out fat, but retain about 2 tablespoons in the pan. Heat the same pan, then spread the hash browns in the pan and form up the edges of the hash browns along the edge of the pan. Cook for about 6-7 minutes, you are looking for a crispy bottom of the hash browns. Remove from heat and set aside.
  • In a bowl, whisk the eggs, cream (or milk), bacon, and cheddar cheese, pour this into the pan on the hash browns and spread evenly. Bake for 20 minutes or until the surface is golden brown and the eggs are set and cooked through. Remove from the oven and sprinkle on the chopped spring onions, and serve with a few slices of toast for each serving.

Notes

Easily less than $1 per serving for this dish.
Variants to this are plentiful, add dice bell pepper, onion, sliced or crumbled sausage, ham, etc.
Shortcut: Heavy Cream.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,POTATOES
Hash Brown Potato Pie
May 23, 2016 Lee
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Hash Brown Potato Pie

This sounds like a very easy recipe, and minimal cost as well, one of my must tries!
Print Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 servings

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups potatoes, shredded, see Step 2
  • 5 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/3 cup spring onions, chopped, green and white parts
  • salt and black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon hot sauce
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, shredded, divided
  • 4 slices bacon, diced and cooked

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C. Grease a 9 inch glass pie dish with butter.
  • For your hash browns, wash, peel if you desire, then shred the potatoes. Take the shredded potatoes and rinse them in cold water, and really squeeze them to get the water out, do this 3-4 times until the water is clear, this removes the starch, then your potatoes are ready. You need 3 cups of shredded potatoes.
  • Beat together eggs and milk in a large bowl, stir in potatoes, green onions, salt and pepper, and hot sauce. Stir in 1 cup of the cheese and half of bacon. Pour into the pie dish.
  • Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set (butter knife inserted in the center comes out clean). Sprinkle remaining bacon and cheese over top of pie, continue baking 3 to 4 minutes or until cheese is melted. Let rest for 5 minutes, serve.

Notes

Most expensive item is the cheese, about 180 Baht for a 200 gram block, this will provide 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheese with some cheese left over, just use the whole block. This would cost about 90 cents per serving, excellent value.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,POTATOES
Chilied Bacon and Potato Hash
March 20, 2016 Lee
2 Comments

Chilied Bacon and Potato Hash

Potato, bacon, onions cooked as a hash with cumin and chili powder, drop a couple of eggs on the top and cover to let them set, just a little, excellent! I made this on 19 Sep 2016 and this is a keeper! My Thai wife took one bite and gave me 2 thumbs up!
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Breakfast, Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 400 grams bacon, cut into 1 inch pieces, this is 2 regular packages
  • 2 tablespoons red chili flakes, optional
  • 4-6 potatoes, diced, peeled or unpeeled is up to you
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • splash olive oil
  • 4 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 1 large shallot, diced
  • salt and pepper, to taste
  • 4-6 eggs, or as many as you want to use
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder, heaping
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, heaping
  • black pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Using a large heavy bottom pan, cast iron would be ideal, Add the butter and a splash of olive oil, set on medium to medium low heat, add in the diced onion, shallot, and chopped bacon, stir this once in a while and as you are dicing the potatoes add them to the pan. add potatoes until the pan is near full, they will cook down as well.
  • As the potatoes cook, sprinkle in the cumin, chili powder, and black pepper, stir the potatoes occasionally.
  • When the potatoes are tender, spread the potatoes out fairly flat and start dropping in eggs. I used 6 eggs but one yolk broke, when that happens it just sinks down into the hash like the whites do. Sprinkle some black pepper on the eggs (cannot have enough black pepper).
  • Cover for a few minutes and check on the eggs, whites should be set in the hash, and the eggs should be a nice sunny side up.
  • Serve. Not a great looking dish plated, but the taste is outstanding!

Notes

Easy meal for under $1 per person.
For options, instead of bacon, use sausage, breakfast sausage, ham, or a little of each! Add some chopped red, yellow, or green bell pepper, or even some hot sauce splashed on. Can also beat the eggs first and just pour into the pan over the hash and cover and cook to see the eggs, or place (oven proof pan keep in mind) in the oven and broil. Totally up to you.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,POTATOES
Hash Browns
November 13, 2015 Lee
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Hash Browns

Been making this for many years.
This is an easy side dish to prepare, I do not state servings on this recipe, 2-3 medium potatoes works fine for my wife and I.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Side
Cuisine American
Servings 0

Ingredients
  

  • 2-3 medium potatoes, washed, skin on or off, shredded
  • 2-3 tablespoons butter, or bacon fat
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • After shredding the potatoes, place in cold water and swish around for a bit, then pick up the potatoes and squeeze all the water, and I mean squeeze! Change the water and repeat this, do this 3-5 times or until the water you are squeezing out is clear and the water is clear. What you are doing is removing the starch. Once the water is clear and the potatoes are well squeezed, place on a plate. If using in another recipe where the hash browns will be cooked, use them now and disregard the rest of the recipe.
  • Heat a large heavy pan, cast iron is a good choice, to medium low heat and add the butter or bacon fat. When the butter is melted, swish it around in the pan a bit to coat the bottom. Add the shredded potatoes and pat out flat with a spatula. Salt and pepper to taste.
  • Now let it cook, you are not making a stir fry, no mixing, just let it cook, flatted out. Watch the edges and you will seem them start to brown up, using the spatula, lift up an edge and check the bottom, should be golden brown, when golden brown, try and flip the whole thing, think of it like a potato pancake.
  • If it falls apart, no harm, just keep cooking, you will just have to turn more often. If the hash browns stayed together, when the other side is golden brown, using the spatula, cut in half or quarters and plate up with eggs for a hearty breakfast.

Notes

Used in Recipes Listed on this Site:
#1 Go-To Recipes,5 Ingredients or Less,POTATOES,SIDES
Potato & Bacon Bake
November 13, 2015 Lee
3 Comments

Potato & Bacon Bake

Denise Georgiades, South Africa.
This is a South African traditional dish, it is delicious, highly recommended! The sauce is excellent. This is a light main dish and can be tailored with minced pork, sliced sausage, cubed chicken, or cubed ham instead of bacon. Serve with a salad and you have a great meal. Or serve as breakfast with a couple of eggs on the side. I made this on 5 Sep 2016 and took the step by step photos.
5 from 1 vote
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Course Main Dish
Cuisine South African
Servings 8 servings

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Baking Pan

Ingredients
  

  • 6-8 large potatoes, washed
  • 2-3 cups bacon, chopped
  • 1 medium onion, coarsly chopped
  • 1 large shallot, coarsly chopped
  • 1 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded

White Sauce

  • 6 tablespoons butter
  • 6 tablespoons all purpose flour
  • 3 cups milk
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions
 

  • Boil potatoes in a large pot until just tender but still firm. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat a pan on medium heat and fry bacon lightly, then add onion and shallot and cook for a few minutes until the onions are soft, remove from heat and set aside.
  • Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F). Grease a large baking dish with butter.
  • For the sauce, melt butter in a medium, heavy-based saucepan. Add flour and stir over low heat for about 1 minute. Add milk and cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until sauce is smooth and has thickened. Remove from heat and add seasoning. If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of milk at a time to thin the sauce a bit.
  • Cut the potatoes into thick slices, remove skin if desired. Layer half the potatoes in the baking dish. Cover with half the bacon mixture and pour half the sauce over bacon mixture. Repeat layers with remaining potatoes, bacon mixture and sauce. Sprinkle the cheese over the top. Photo shows just before the sauce was added.
  • Bake for 30-40 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Serve and enjoy.

Notes

The bacon or ham will cost between 100 and 200 Baht. Based on 200 Baht, for 8 servings, this comes to about 74 cents per serving. Excellent value.
Variants: Substitute bacon for minced pork, sliced sausages, cubed ham, even cubed chicken. Serve with a salad for a nice meal or for breakfast with eggs on the side.
#1 Go-To Recipes,* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,: SOUTH AFRICAN,POTATOES
Ranch Potatoes
November 12, 2015 Lee
1 Comment

Ranch Potatoes

I will have to give this one a try soon, this has real possibilities. Links to the shortcuts are listed in the Recipe Notes section.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Course Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6 people

Ingredients
  

  • 8-10 medium potatoes, washed and cut into 1/2 cubes
  • 1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 soup can milk
  • 1 envelope dry ranch dressing mix, OR make from a shortcut
  • 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, divided
  • salt and pepper, to taste, go easy on the salt as well
  • 6 slices bacon, cooked, crumbled

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 180 C and grease 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • Add the potatoes to a saucepan. Add water to cover. Bring to a boil; cook about 10-12 minutes or until potatoes are almost tender; drain. Place drained potatoes into the baking dish.
  • In a bowl, mix together the soup, milk, salad dressing mix, 1 cup cheese, salt and pepper to taste; pour over potatoes. Sprinkle crumbled bacon and the remaining cheese over the top.
  • Bake, uncovered for 25-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender and the cheese is bubbly.

Notes

Potatoes are about 35 Baht/kilo, there is not a kilo of potatoes here, the rest is minimal. Easily a less than $1 per meal per person.
Shortcuts: Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup, Ranch Dressing Mix.
Adapted from an internet recipe.
* Best Value $1 or Less per Serving,POTATOES