Recipe of the Day: Potato Salad

Potato Salad

Ingredients
2 lbs of Yukon Gold potatoes (you can leave the peel on if you want), cut into 1-inch pieces
3/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 teaspoons of mustard (your favorite, yellow, Dijon, stone ground)
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 dill pickles, chopped into 1/4 in cubes (about 3/4 cup)
6 slices of bacon, cooked* and finely chopped
Coarse salt
Freshly ground pepper
*To cook the bacon, heat a frying pan on medium low. Lay out the strips of bacon in a single layer. Gently cook, turning over occasionally with tongs, until lightly browned, and much of the fat rendered out. Place on a plate lined with paper towels to soak up the excess fat. Do not pour any fat from the pan down the drain, it will clog it. Instead, pour it into a jar, or sop up with paper towels and discard.

Directions
1 In a large pot, cover potatoes with cold, salted water (1 teaspoon salt). Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 20 minutes. Drain, and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. (If you want, add some pickle juice to the drained, still slightly warm potatoes. The potatoes will absorb some of the juices, making them even tastier!)

2 In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, mayonnaise, and mustard. Add a little salt and pepper. Add the potatoes and use a rubber spatula to gently combine. Add the rest of the ingredients, again gently combining. (Include a couple tablespoons of the pickle juice for good measure.) Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Yield: Serves 4-6.

Recipe found here: Potato Salad

Read Full Post »

Recipe of the Day: Loaded Potato Casserole *National Loaded Potato Month*

Loaded Potato Casserole

Ingredients:
3 1/2 – 4 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
1/2 cup cream cheese
1/2 cup sour cream
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
8 slices bacon, cooked, chopped, divided
1/2 bunch green onions, sliced

Preparation:
Place potatoes in saucepan, and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil over med-high heat. Cook until tender, then drain well.

Preheat oven to 375° degrees F.

Transfer potatoes back to the saucepan. Masher with a potato masher until almost smooth. Add cream cheese, sour cream, butter, milk, salt and pepper. Continue mashing until smooth. Stir in 1 cup of the cheese and half the bacon. Spoon mixture evenly into a lightly oiled 3-quart casserole dish. Use a spatula or fork to make an irregular surface (see photo).

Bake for 20 minutes. Top with remaining cheese, bacon and green onions. Bake for 5 more minutes to melt cheese. Serve immediately.
Makes 8 Servings of Loaded Potato Casserole

Recipe found here: Loaded Potato Casserole

Read Full Post »

Recipe of the Day: Crockpot Bacon Cheese Potatoes

Crockpot Bacon Cheese Potatoes

Ingredients:
1/4 pound bacon, diced – I bake it first in the oven so that it is “done” and browned then I dice it and place in the crock pot.
2 medium onions, thinly sliced
4 medium potatoes, thinly sliced (or if you use a new potato then halve)
1/2 pound cheddar cheese, thinly sliced (shredded is fine)
salt and pepper
Butter (*not margarine!)
Green Onions (optional)

Instructions:
Line crockpot with foil, leaving enough to cover the potatoes when finished – this will help it to not stick and to steam the potatoes. Layer half each of the bacon, onions, potatoes and cheese in crockpot. Season to taste with salt and pepper and dot with (real) butter. Repeat layers of bacon, onions, potatoes and cheese. Dot with butter and cover with remaining foil….

Cover and cook on low for 10-12 hours (*serves 6)

Read Full Post »

Recipe of the Day: Stuffed Potato Skins *National Potato Lovers Month*

Stuffed Potato Skins

Ingredients
6 medium baking potatoes (6 ounces each)
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, divided
1 cup thinly sliced green onions
1 large sweet red pepper, finely chopped
1/2 cup fresh broccoli florets, finely chopped
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese, divided

Directions
Scrub and pierce potatoes. Bake at 400° for 40-50 minutes or until tender. Cool slightly; cut each potato in half lengthwise. Scoop out the pulp, leaving a thin shell (save pulp for another use). Place potato shells on an ungreased baking sheet.

Combine butter and 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce; brush over shells. Broil 4 in. from the heat for 5 minutes or until edges are crispy and butter is bubbly. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the onions, red pepper, broccoli, 3/4 cup cheese and remaining hot pepper sauce; spoon into potato skins. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Broil 2-3 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Yield: 12 servings.

Recipe found here: Stuffed Potato Skins

Read Full Post »

Recipe of the Day: Smoky Potato Skillet *National Potato Lovers Month*

Smoky Potato Skillet

Ingredients
1 package (16 ounces) smoked sausage links, cut into 1-inch pieces
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups hot water
2/3 cup 2% milk
1 package (4.9 ounces) au gratin potatoes

Directions
In a large skillet, saute the sausage, celery and onion in butter until vegetables are tender. Stir in the water, milk and contents of sauce mix from potatoes.

Bring to a boil. Stir in potatoes. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring once. Yield: 4-6 servings.

Recipe found here: Smoky Potato Skillet

Read Full Post »

Recipe of the Day: “Everything” Mashed Potato Casserole *National Potato Lovers Day*

“Everything” Mashed Potato Casserole

Ingredients
3 pounds potatoes (about 9 medium), peeled and quartered
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, cubed
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/2 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 cups (16 ounces) sour cream
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
3 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
1 tablespoon minced chives

Directions
Place potatoes in a large saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until tender. Drain.

In a large bowl, mash potatoes. Beat in the cream cheese, butter, milk, salt and pepper until fluffy. Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Spread sour cream over the top.

Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 10 minutes. Sprinkle with the cheddar cheese, bacon and chives. Bake 5 minutes longer or until heated through and cheese is melted. Yield: 12 servings.

Recipe found here: “Everything” Mashed Potato Casserole

Read Full Post »

Recipe of the Day: Homemade Pittsburgh Pierogies with Sour Cream

Homemade Pittsburgh Pierogies with Sour Cream

Ingredients:
2 cups flour, plus extra for kneading and rolling dough
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large egg
1/2 cup sour cream, plus extra to serve with the pierogi
1/4 cup butter, softened and cut into small pieces
butter and onions for sauteing
ingredients for filling of your choice (potato & cheese filling recipe below)
Preparation:

Pierogi Dough
To prepare the pierogi dough, mix together the flour and salt. Beat the egg, then add all at once to the flour mixture. Add the 1/2 cup sour cream and the softened butter pieces and work until the dough loses most of its stickiness (about 5-7 minutes). You can use a food processor with a dough hook for this, but be careful not to overbeat. Wrap the dough in plastic and refrigerate for 20-30 minutes or overnight; the dough can be kept in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Each batch of dough makes about 12-15 pierogies, depending on size.

Prepare the Pierogies
Roll the pierogi dough on a floured board or countertop until 1/8″ thick. Cut circles of dough (2″ for small pierogies and 3-3 1/2″ for large pierogies) with a cookie cutter or drinking glass. Place a small ball of filling (about a tablespoon) on each dough round and fold the dough over, forming a semi-circle. Press the edges together with the tines of a fork.

Boil the perogies a few at a time in a large pot of water. They are done when they float to the top (about 8-10 minutes). Rinse in cool water and let dry.

Saute chopped onions in butter in a large pan until onions are soft. Then add pierogies and pan fry until lightly crispy. Serve with a side of sour cream for a true Pittsburgh pierogi meal.

Homemade Pierogi Tips:

If you are having a hard time getting the edges to stick together, you may have too much flour in the dough. Add a little water to help get a good seal.

If you don’t want to cook all of the pierogies right away, you can refrigerate them (uncooked) for several days or freeze them for up to several months.

You can fill pierogies with pretty much anything you want, though potato and cheese is the most common (recipe below). Sweet pierogies are often filled with a prune mixture.

Potato, Cheese & Onion Filling: Peel and boil 5 large potatoes until soft. Red potatoes are especially good for this. While the potatoes are boiling, finely chop 1 large onion and saute in butter until soft and translucent. Mash the potatoes with the sauted onions and 4-8oz of grated cheddar cheese (depending on how cheesy you want your pierogies), adding salt and pepper to taste. You can also add some fresh parsley, bacon bits, chives, or other enhancements if you desire. Let the potato mixture cool and then form into 1″ balls.

Recipe found here: Homemade Pittsburgh Pierogies with Sour Cream

Read Full Post »

Recipe of the Day: Loaded Mashed Potatoes *National Potato Day*

Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients
5 pounds potatoes, peeled and cubed
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup milk
3 tablespoons butter
Salt and pepper to taste
3 cups (12 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese blend, divided
1/2 pound sliced bacon, cooked and crumbled
3 green onions, sliced

Directions
Place potatoes in a Dutch oven and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until tender. Drain and place in a large bowl. Add the sour cream, milk, butter, salt and pepper. Beat on medium-low speed until light and fluffy. Stir in 2 cups cheese, bacon and onions.

Transfer to a greased 3-qt. baking dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 30 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. Yield: 14 servings.

Recipe found here: Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Read Full Post »

Recipe of the Day: Double Stuffed Potatoes with The Works *National Potato Month*

Double Stuffed Potatoes with The Works

Ingredients
2 large Russet potatoes, cleaned and pricked with a fork several times each
Drizzle olive oil or vegetable oil
2 slices center cut bacon, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
2 scallions, chopped
1/4 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Salt and coarse black pepper

Directions
Preheat a small nonstick pan over medium high heat. Rub potatoes with a drizzle of oil. Place potatoes on a microwave safe plate and microwave on high for 12 minutes, rotating once.

While potatoes cook, add chopped bacon to hot skillet and brown until bits are crisp. Add scallions and cook scallions together with bacon 1 minute more.

Transfer bacon bits and green onions to a paper towel lined plate to drain.

Allow potatoes to cool enough to be handled, 5 minutes. Preheat broiler to high. Cut potatoes in half and scoop out the flesh into a small bowl. Smash potato flesh together with sour cream until combined using a potato masher. Stir in cheddar cheese, bacon and scallions and season with salt and pepper, to your taste.

Scoop filling back into potato skins and place on a cookie sheet. Place potatoes in oven and brown under broiler, 6 inches from heat 5 minutes.

Recipe found here: Double Stuffed Potatoes with The Works

Read Full Post »

Recipe of the Day: Grilled Garlic-Potato Salad *National Picnic Month*

Grilled Garlic-Potato Salad

what you need
1-1/2lb. small red potatoes (about 12), cut in half
1/3 cup water
4 large cloves garlic, unpeeled
1/2 cup KRAFT Zesty Italian Dressing, divided
3/4 cup KRAFT Real Mayo Mayonnaise
2 tsp. yellow mustard
2 stalks celery, chopped

make it

HEAT grill to medium-high heat.

PLACE potatoes and water in 2-qt. microwaveable casserole; cover with lid. Microwave on HIGH 8 min., rotating dish after 4 min. Meanwhile, cut thin slice off top of each garlic clove, leaving papery skin on cloves; discard tops. (Do not cut root ends.) Place garlic on sheet of foil; drizzle with 1 Tbsp. dressing. Wrap garlic in foil.

DRAIN potatoes; thread onto skewers. Brush with some of the remaining dressing. Grill potatoes and garlic 10 to 15 min. or until potatoes are tender, turning potatoes frequently and brushing with remaining dressing. Remove potatoes and garlic from grill; cool.

REMOVE garlic pulp from skins. (See Tip.) Mix garlic with mayo and mustard in large bowl. Add potatoes and celery to mustard mixture; mix lightly. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.

kraft kitchens tips

HOW TO REMOVE GARLIC PULP FROM SKINS Squeeze each garlic clove from the root end to remove the roasted cloves from the papery skins.

FOR MORE GARLIC FLAVOR Increase the number of roasted garlic cloves used in the potato salad. For the real garlic lover, use the pulp from the entire roasted bulb. Just cut the top from the entire bulb, leaving all cloves together. Drizzle with dressing and grill as directed. Squeeze the amount of garlic pulp desired for the potato salad. Refrigerate remaining garlic for another use.

SUBSTITUTE For an extra flavor boost, substitute GREY POUPON Dijon Mustard for the yellow mustard.

Recipe found here: Grilled Garlic-Potato Salad

Read Full Post »