Scalloped Potato Casserole

My son and I love homemade scalloped potatoes and although they take a little more time than the instant ones they are far tastier and so delicious it's worth the extra time.

Yesterday I made some and OMGoodness...I ate way too much but I just love them!!!

Here's what I did

6 large potatoes cut thin
1 small onion grated.  I think they'll cook better grated or onion powder(I prefer)
4 T butter
1 tsp. salt
pinch pepper
1/4 cup flour
2 cups warm whole milk (no substitutes)  The casserole won't thicken properly if you use fat free.
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese(optional)

400 degree oven uncovered 45 to 60 minutes or until potatoes are tender.

This is the best way to assure your casserole won't take too long to cook.

First make sure your potatoes are sliced thin

Second  Place your butter in microwave and melt, take out of microwave and whisk in flour and warm milk.  Microwave for about 1 to 2 minutes and stir every few seconds.  Remove from oven.

Grease a 13x9 inch baking dish with butter place your potatoes and onion in layers until all potatoes are used.  Slowly poor milk mixture over potatoes.  

**(Note) If you are adding cheese shred the cheese and add to the warm milk mixture( whisk or stir well) before adding it to the potatoes.

Place casserole in a preheated 400 degree oven and bake until browned slightly and bubbly.  **Make sure there is room on top of casserole because it may overflow when it starts to bubble and you could have an oven mess.

5/19/15

9/18/15

Marbled Brownies

Quick and so easy to make !

Marbled Brownies!  Yummy!

My Aunt Annie made these so many years ago and my children loved them.  She gave me the recipe many moons ago, (I think she thought it was her secret recipe) and I scribbled it down on a piece of paper and every now and again I make them because they really are as good today as they were then. Today I see a similar recipe on the back of brownie mixes so I think her secret is out!! lol

   The recipe was simple and easy. The only things I changed were I doubled the cream cheese and I drizzle icing on them..



Here is the recipe:

1 box Brownie mix(follow package instructions)
1- 8 oz. package cream cheese softened
1/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1 tablespoon flour
1 tsp. vanilla

Beat softened cream cheese,sugar, egg, vanilla and flour until smooth.

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a 13 x9 inch baking dish with Pam.  Make brownie mix according to package directions..Pour brownie batter into baking dish..Using a tablespoon drop approximately 6 to 8 tablespoons of cream cheese mixture over brownie batter..Swirl with knife..Bake according to directions..Cool completely before icing or cutting. Drizzle icing over the brownies if you would like. Yummy!!!!

***I like to Bake and Cook!  :)

Happy Baking from my kitchen to yours,

M.J.

7/26/11

Inside-Out S'mores Brownies

 These easy cookie like brownie's are easy to make and will satisfy you and others sweet tooth. 

Happy Easy Baking!

M.J.

I didn't make these exactly the way they were supposed to be made but they still turned out really yummy and reminded me more cookie like than brownies.. Fills your sweet tooth craving really well! Kids love them and so did I!!!!!!  A must! Yummy!

½ cup butter

2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

¾ cup flour

9 Honey graham cracker squares

1 cup tiny marshmallows

Heat oven to 350. Line a 11x7 x ½ inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease pan.  Set aside

In a medium saucepan melt butter and chocolate over low heat.  Remove from heat, stir in sugar, egg, and vanilla until combined.  Stir in flour.

Spread half the batter in prepared pan. (divide as needed to evenly top the batter.  Top with graham crackers, sprinkle marshmallows on graham crackers, but do not let them touch the sides of pan.  Carefully spread the remaining batter on top of the marshmallows and graham crackers, covering them completely.

Bake for 25 minutes or until set.  Cool completely on wire rack.  Cut into bars.  Makes 15 brownies.


2/22/12

Cauliflower Casserole:

I love Cauliflower but I was tired of preparing it the old way.  Mom used to boil it and saute it in butter and sprinkle bread crumbs over the cauliflower which was delicious for sure and I remember her dish with fondness but today~~~~~~,

I was curious and decided to go on the wild side and prepare it a bit different but still  with the same idea but adding a little more ingredients.

 I love casseroles so this is my recipe using Havarti and sharp American cheese.  

Ingredients:

1 medium head cauliflower broken into florets
pinch salt
1 clove minced garlic
4 T olive oil or butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups whole milk
1/2 lb. Havarti cheese
1/4 cup sliced sharp American cheese
shredded sharp cheese
 crumbled bacon
dried parsley


I broke my cauliflower into medium size florets, steamed the cauliflower for several minutes with a little salt and put it aside.  I  lightly sauteed 1 clove minced garlic in 4 tablespoons olive oil , (use butter if you prefer)  added some flour(about 1/4 cup) pinch of salt,  whisked them so flour blended and added about 2 cups whole milk, keep stirring(whisking) until the mixture is thickened, I then added 1/2 lb.sliced  Havarti , 1/4 lb sliced sharp American Cheese.  Microwave  4 strips bacon( crumbled for top) and a little parsley. 

Butter a casserole dish put cauliflower in casserole pour milk mixture over it and top with some grated sharp cheese.  Bake for 30 minutes uncovered until bubbly..  Great cheese taste and not overpowering!  I served it with Chicken Kabobs on the grill..!! Hope you enjoy it as well!!!!


7/10/11

Thai crockpot chicken simmer

I think using your imagination and a good simmer sauce works most times in a crockpot. Here's another example of it using chicken.

I jar Thai chili sauce 

2 large boneless chicken breasts or thighs if you like dark meat 

I package frozen peas

2 cups cooked rice 

In your crockpot place a little sauce

Place chicken on top

Add rest of sauce, cover . ( clean jar with a little water and add) Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or 4 hours high depending on your crockpot.

Add frozen peas or chopped broccoli and cook for an additional 10 minutes. Serves 2.

Ps it would easily serve 3 depending on size of chicken breasts.

Yummy! I'm going to try sweet and sour sauce next. Easy summer crockpot meals from my kitchen to yours, M.j.