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Monday, June 28, 2010

Two for Tuesday - Scalloped Potatoes with Ham


This was originally going to be a post about cooking in the crock pot on hot days. Well I didn't get it started in time so it has morphed into a baked dish.
Experienced cooks will see what I did and think - yea, so? What's the big deal?  But if you are a relatively new cook it might be interesting to see how I changed the recipe so we could eat quicker. This was voted a keeper in my house by all at the table - which doesn't happen often.

Because this is Two for Tuesday - part one is just a quick tip I learned years ago from a mom of 11 who had little disposable income. She never uses a cutting board. Ever. She just uses a dinner plate. Often if you are just cutting up veggies or fruit you can just rinse, dry and use the plate for dinner. And so, I often more out of laziness than anything use a plate. This is a great tip for those with small kitchens.
Now for the Original with my modifications

Crockpot Scalloped Potatoes with Ham

6 cups raw potatoes, cut into small cubes (4lbs organic peeled, cut in half and then into half moon slices.)
1 med. onion minced (I sauteed this in butter because the cooking time was too short, could have boiled with the potatoes)
1 tsp salt (and pepper - I used more this is to taste)
1/2 lb cooked ham, cubed
4 TBS butter (grass fed if possible)
4TBS flour
1 tsp salt
2 cups milk (I used raw whole grassfed milk)
1 1/2 cups freshly grated shredded cheddar cheese - I used an additional cup of muenster - I think a sharp cheese would have been better. 
You could easily make this vegetarian by omitting the ham, and maybe adding some chopped sauteed red pepper. I have also used cooked breakfast sausage or sweet Italian in place of the ham - a cheaper option.

Crock Pot instructions:

1. Layer potatoes, onion, 1 tsp salt, pepper and ham in slow cooker (I grease it with a little coconut oil for ease of clean up).
2. Melt butter in saucepan. Stir in flour and 1 tsp salt. Cook until bubbly. Gradually add milk. Cook until smooth and thickened. (this takes a bit, be patient) Add cheese and stir until melted. Pour over potato ham mixture, stirring lightly.
2. Cover. Cook on low 6-7 hours, or High 3-4 hours.

Oven instructions:

1. Peel and slice potatoes, add to water in large pan, bring water to a boil and then turn off. Let potatoes keep cooking until you are ready to layer.
2. Make cheese sauce (see above or here )

meanwhile,
3. Slice onion and saute in a little butter until translucent.
4. Shred cheese.
5. Dice ham. 
6. Grease 9x13 with butter so potatoes don't stick.
7. Strain potatoes, being careful to keep their shape - I just use a large spoon with holes.
8. Layer as follows: potatoes, onions, ham, salt, and pepper. Top with cheese sauce and stir lightly.
9. Cook in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes. (I turn off the oven at 20 minutes and then leave in for about another 10)
Two for Tuesday is a Blog Hop sponsored by these 4 wonderful blogs:
Alex @ amoderatelife.com  (the carnival's creator)
Beth Stedman @ bethstedman.com
Heather @ girlichef.blogspot.com
Michelle @ Healthfoodlover.com



I am also going to be linking this post to 11th Heaven's Homemaker Monday.
Mouthwatering Monday's @ A Southern Fairytale
Make It Yourself Monday @ Eat from your Pantry

7 comments:

  1. Hi Christy :-) Thanks for stopping by our blog AND for leaving a comment! Hope you too enjoy the bean 'salsa'!!!

    While I love to use crockpots, they do present one challenge - you have to think of and start dinner before lunch time! It's a mind thing. And my mind does not always cooperate :-( I'm sure you never have that problem though ;-p

    Your recipe is a great one to use when you pull one of the hams that you nabbed majorly on sale around Easter or Christmas, out of the freezer.

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  2. Oh YUM christy! I love casseroles and crock pots--gee, that sounds like a great name for a real food blog! Scalloped potatoes is one of my favorite dishes and I ALSO use a i dinner plate to cut up stuff instead of hauling out the big cutting board! Great minds think alike! Thanks for sharing the Real food love on the Two for Tuesday Recipe Blog Hop! :) alex@amoderatelife.

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  3. Thanks for linking up - looks yummy!

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  4. This sounds delicious! Fun little cutting board tip, too ;)

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  5. I love scalloped potatoes and this sounds like a wonderful recipe. Thanks for the tips!!

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  6. this looks great rich and creamy thanks so much for stopping by my blog Rebecca

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  7. I love how you modified this recipe to go in the oven instead of the crock pot. I don't own a crock pot so I do that a lot.
    And your cutting tip is definitely one I use - in fact sometimes I skip the plate and just cut right on the table. My dad would be so upset with me if he saw me doing that (he's an amateur gourmet chef and his knifes are like his baby's) - he'd probably give me a whole lecture about how it's bad for the knife's. But, personally having one more thing to wash is bad for me ;)
    Thanks for participating in Two for Tuesdays - and for linking to all four of the hosts - that's such a sweet touch! And I know we all appreciate it :)

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