Funeral Potatoes

INGREDIENTS

• 6 c. diced potatoes
• 1 can (10 3/4 oz.) condensed cream of chicken soup
• 1/2 stick butter, melted
• 1/2 c. milk
• 1 c. sour cream or plain Greek yogurt
• 2 c. grated cheddar cheese, or use a mix of cheddar and gruyere
• 1/4 c. grated onion (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3/4 c. crushed cornflakes or panko bread crumbs (optional for crumb topping)
• Additional 2 T. butter (optional for crumb topping)

PREPARATION

1. Prepare the potatoes: Scrub 6-8 medium russet potatoes and wrap in foil. Bake the potatoes in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until they are easily pierced with a fork but not too tender. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel and dice them. If you want, you can substitute plain frozen diced (not shredded) potatoes. Let the potatoes thaw before using them in the recipe.
2. Combine soup, butter, sour cream or yogurt, milk, cheese, onion, salt and pepper in a large mixing bowl. Mix well. Add the diced potatoes and stir gently until combined.
3. Place potato mixture in a 2-3 quart casserole dish or 9 x 13-inch baking pan.
4. Optional: Mix 2 T melted butter with crushed corn flakes or panko bread crumbs. If using panko, season with a little salt and pepper. Sprinkle crumb mixture over potato mixture.
5. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes or until hot and bubbly.

Homemade Macaroni & Cheese

from kitchentreaty.com

INGREDIENTS:
8 oz (1/2 pound or about 1 3/4 cups) macaroni or other medium tubular pasta (like penne)
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika plus more for sprinkling on top
2 1/2 cups 2% milk
3 cups grated medium cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS:

* Boil the pasta until al dente, according to package directions.  Drain and rinse with cool water to stop the cooking, and return to the pan you boiled it in.  Set aside.  (Mix in a little butter to keep the noodles from sticking if it's going to be awhile before you make the sauce)
* Preheat the oven to 375 degrees
* Over medium heat, melt the butter
* Add the flour, salt, dry mustard, pepper, and 1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika.  Stir constantly over medium heat for about 3 minutes.
* Stir in the milk.
* Keeping on medium heat, whisk constantly for about 10 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
* Remove from heat, and stir in 2 cups of the cheese, stirring until melted.
* Pour the cheese sauce over the noodles and toss gently until all noodles are covered.
* Add half the noodles to a two quart casserole dish.
* Sprinkle on half the cheese.
* Add the rest of the noodles.
* Sprinkle on the rest of the cheese, and dust lightly with the smoked paprika.
* Bake for about 25-30 minutes, until it starts getting slightly dry and a tiny bit brown on top.  Serve, topping individual servings with cooked, chopped bacon if desired.

** Please resist the urge to add more noodles to stretch the recipe.  You need a lot of sauce with that pasta because the pasta soaks so much and it otherwise cooks down.  Over-dry mac and cheese is such a disappointment - don't do it!
*** Also resist the urge to add more cheese to the sauce.  This can do weird things.  Sprinkle more in between and on top if you must have more cheese.

Cheese Potatoes

Ingredients  6 potatoes, cubed 1/2 cup butter, cubed/sliced 1 Tbsp garlic salt 1 Tbsp Pepper 6 slices process cheese, torn In 9x13 casserole dish, combine potatoes, butter, garlic salt and pepper.   Bake for 45 minutes in 375 degree oven.  Stir in pieces of cheese to melt.  [This is SO EASY to make!]

Spicy Steak Fries

INGREDIENTS:
2 large potatoes
1 Tbsp. Mrs. Dash Extra Spicy Seasoning Blend
2 Tbsp. olive oil

DIRECTIONS:
1. Wash and cut potatoes into wedges, do not peel.  Dry potato slices on paper towels.
2. In a large bowl, toss potatoes with Mrs. Dash and olive oil
3. Spray baking sheet with no-stick cooking spray and lay wedges on baking sheet.
4. Place potatoes in preheated 425 degree oven and bake for 20 minutes.  Turn the potatoes and bake another 15 minutes or until potatoes are browned and tender.

* * Try different spices - whatever your family likes!! * *