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Showing posts with label scalloped potatoes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label scalloped potatoes. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

December 27, 2011: Ham and Corn Chowder Recipe

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For Christmas dinner I prepared a big ham. Although we had nine diners that night, there were still lots and lots of leftovers. Of course, we ate ham sandwiches and had slices on crackers with cheese, but I wanted something more substantial for dinner the next night. I quickly put together this recipe using leftover Gratin Dauphinois potatoes from Christmas dinner and the ham bone. The verdict? Almost everyone said it was some of the best soup they’d ever tasted and went back for seconds. I guess it was a hit!
The ham bone I used for the base of this chowder was so big I had to cook it in a roasting pan in the oven.

Ham and Corn Chowder

One large ham bone, with meat still on the bone
1 ½ cups diced celery
1 medium-sized white onion, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 T. dried parsley flakes
2 t. dried thyme
2 t. freshly cracked black pepper
1 T. kosher salt
32 ounces chicken stock
3 cups water
2 cans corn, drained
2 pints heavy whipping cream

In a large Dutch oven (or roasting pan) combine ham bone, celery, onion, garlic, parsley, thyme, salt and pepper, chicken stock and water. Bring to a boil and then simmer on the stovetop for three hours (or place in 350 degree oven). Remove ham bone and let cool; remove any meat on the bone and add back to the pot. Add remaining ingredients and heat through thoroughly. If necessary, combine ¼ cup cornstarch with ¼ cup cold water and add to soup to thicken.

*You can substitute a package of prepared scalloped potatoes plus a teaspoon of dehydrated garlic.

Serves 10

Thursday, May 26, 2011

May 26, 2011: Gratin Dauphinois Recipe

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Over the years I’ve made my share of au gratin potatoes. I’ve tried making them in all different ways – from precooking the potatoes to using a combination of cheese in the sauce. Sometimes they turned out great, other times not so much…

I ran into this recipe (based on Julia Child’s scalloped potatoes recipe) while thumbing through an American Profile magazine, the small insert that comes with my local newspaper delivery. I decided to give it a try and lo and behold! This is not only the simplest way to make au gratin potatoes, they come out absolutely delish and perfectly cooked!

Note: In this recipe I used my new favorite ingredient, freeze dried garlic, which really gave the potatoes a strong garlic kick. Try substituting 1 tablespoon of freeze dried garlic for the fresh if you’d like.

Gratin Dauphinois

3 T. butter, melted
6 small russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup shredded cheese (Gruyere is suggested but sharp white cheddar is an excellent substitution)
1 t. garlic salt
Freshly grated black pepper
1 cup 2% milk, warmed

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Grease a round casserole dish (use the waxed paper sleeves the butter comes in, if possible).

Arrange one third of the potato slices in the bottom of the casserole dish. Sprinkle with one third of the garlic, butter, cheese, and salt; grate black pepper to taste over the top. Repeat twice more with remaining ingredients. Pour warmed milk over potatoes.

Bake 40 minutes, or until potatoes are tender and milk is absorbed.

Serves 6.