Old Potato Recipes

OLD FASHION SCALLOPED POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350, not convection.
• Slice 5-6 medium russet potatoes about 1/8 inch to make about 4 cups. If you have crazy ninja knife skills, you can do this by hand, but a mandolin is a good thing here. The setting on mine for this is "thin."
• Rinse the potato slices in a bowl of cold water. Let soak until ready to use then dry a bit with a paper towel.
• Start the sauce with 3 tablespoons butter over medium heat in a large pan. When melted, add 3 tablespoons flour and whisk for a few minutes. Add 1 ½ cup milk. Frequently whisk for a couple of minutes and add 1 teaspoon salt and ⅙ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional.) Bring to a light boil and whisk contentiously, and this will start to thicken in a few more minutes.
• Reduce heat to low and add 1 cup of cheese. I used sharp cheddar. Whisk until smooth and remove from heat.
• Layer half of the potatoes into a casserole dish (6 by 9 inches) that has been sprayed with PAM. Put them in individually, so they are not stuck together. Do not just dump them in.
• Pour half the cheese sauce over the first half of the potatoes.
• Add the second half of the potatoes, then rest of the cheese sauce. Now top with ½ cup of shredded cheese. Give a light sprinkle of paprika (an old fashion touch.)
• Bake until potatoes are "fork-tender." This will be about an hour or a little more. Let sit for 5-10 minutes before serving.

OLD-FASHIONED POTATO SOUP

Steps:

• Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion; cook and stir until the onion has softened and turned translucent, about 5 minutes.
• While the onions are cooking, place the diced potatoes, carrots, water and chicken soup base (or vegetable base; see Cook's Note) in another pot and bring to a boil. Cook until vegetables are tender, about 10 minutes. Do not overcook. Season with ground black pepper to taste.
• Add the flour to the cooked onions to make a paste. Cook, stirring constantly, for 2 minutes. Gradually add the milk and stir well. Cook over low heat stirring constantly until warmed through. Add the potato and carrot mixture. Stir in the parsley and thyme and heat through. Serve hot.

OLD TIMEY STEWED POTATOES

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in the double boiler, and dredge them with the salt, pepper and flour. Add the parsley, butter and milk. Cover, and put on to boil. Cook twelve minutes. Serve very hot.
• Refridgerates well for reheating.