Cheeseburger 'n Fries Casserole

Jennifer S.

2 pounds of lean ground beef
one 10 3/4 ounce can of condensed golden mushroom soup, undiluted
one 10 3/4 ounce can of condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
one 20 ounce package of frozen crinkle cut French fries

In a skillet, brown the beef, drain. Stir in soups. Pour into a greased 13x9x 2 inch baking dish. Arrange the French fries on top. Bake, uncovered at 350ºF. for 50 - 55 minutes or until the fries are golden brown. 6 - 8 servings

Potato and Cheddar-Cheese Soup

Jennifer S.

For a chunkier soup, skip the pureeing and just break up some of the potato with a spoon.*

1/4 pound sliced bacon, cut crosswise into thin strips
1 large onion, chopped
3 pounds baking potatoes (about 6), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
4-1/2 cups water
1 teaspoon salt
6 ounces cheddar, grated (about 1-1/2 cups)
1/4 cup chopped chives or scallion tops

In a large saucepan, cook the bacon over moderate heat until crisp. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Pour off all but 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat or, if you don't have 2 tablespoons, add enough cooking oil to make up the amount. Reduce the heat to moderately low.
Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in the potatoes, water, and salt and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

*Remove half the soup from the pan and puree in a food processor. Alternatively, mash some of the potatoes with a potato masher. Return the puree to the pan. Over low heat, add the cheese and stir until melted. Remove the pan from the heat. Taste the soup and add more salt if needed and pepper to taste. Serve the soup topped with the bacon and chives.

Oven Fries with Herbs and Pecorino

Jennifer S.

2 large baking potatoes cut into 4-by-1/2-inch sticks
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 large garlic clove minced
1 teaspoon minced sage
1 teaspoon minced rosemary
1/4 cup freshly grated Pecorino romano cheese
salt and freshly ground pepper

Preheat the oven to 425°. In a large bowl, toss the potato sticks with the olive oil until evenly coated. Spread the potato sticks on a rimmed baking sheet in a single layer and bake in the upper third of the oven, turning once or twice with a spatula, until they are golden and crispy, about 30 minutes.

Sprinkle the minced garlic and herbs over the fries and toss well. Roast for about 5 minutes longer, until the herbs are fragrant and the garlic is lightly browned. Transfer the fries to a large bowl and toss with the grated Pecorino Romano. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

The Udder Potatoes

Kami T.

We would put less salt in. For us the bacon made it salty enough.

Ingredients

½ pound of bacon, chopped
2 30-ounce packages frozen shredded hash browns
4 large green onions, chopped
½ teaspoon Morton Nature’s Seasons Seasoning Blend
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon pepper
3½ cups heavy whipping cream
11 tablespoons butter, cut into slices

Set out package of frozen hash browns for about half an hour before baking. Allow them to thaw slightly. Fry bacon in Dutch oven until crisp. Pour off grease. Add hash browns, green onions, and seasonings. Mix gently until evenly distributed.

Pour cream over potato mixture and place butter slices on top. Bake in a 12-inch Dutch oven at 350 degrees (16 coals on top, 10 coals below) for 45 minutes. Remove pot from bottom heat. Put bottom coals on top of lid and tilt the lid slightly open for 15-20 minutes until browned on top.

I guarantee once your Scouts get a taste of this dish, if you ever ask them if they want scalloped or cheese potatoes again, they will all cry out, “No! We want the udder ones!”

Serves: 15-18

Dutch Oven Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

Jennifer S.

Ingredients
3 lbs of washed potatoes, more or less, peeled or unpeeled, thinly sliced
2 or 3 medium onions, thinly sliced
6-8 oz. packet of shredded cheese
half gallon of milk
1 or 2 sticks of butter
Salt and pepper
If desired: Chopped parsley for a bit of color (I use dried chives)
If desired: Paprika for color on top

Instructions

Warm Dutch oven on fire, wipe inside with small amount of cooking oil. Layer potatoes in bottom of Dutch oven, 3 or 4 layers deep. Add a thin layer of onions and several pats of butter. Sprinkle on small handful of cheese. Add bits of chopped parsley randomly in layers for color. Repeat layering process - potatoes, onions, butter, cheese. When all potatoes are used, do not add cheese or onions to top layer, only butter. Sprinkle top layer with a little salt and touch of pepper to personal taste. Pour in enough milk to just cover top layer of potatoes. Sprinkle with paprika if desired. Move Dutch oven onto bed of charcoal - 8 to 10 briquets (more in winter) on aluminum foil, shiny side up. Cover oven with lid and put 2 to 3 times as many coals on top. After a few minutes, contents should be gently bubbling, not boiling. Adjust heat as necessary, probably on bottom. Cook about 45 minutes until potatoes are tender and milk mixture is thick. Add milk as needed to keep from boiling dry before potatoes are ready.

Au Gratin Ham and Potatoes Dutch Oven Recipe

Jennifer S.

4 Tbsp butter or margarine
1 onion
3 Tbsp flour
2 cups milk
Seasoned salt and pepper
1-1/2 cups cooked ham
3 cups potatoes
1/2 cup cheese
2 Tbsp fine bread crumbs

Mince onion.
Dice ham.
Dice potatoes.
Grate cheese.
Preheat dutch oven to 325 degrees.
Melt butter and saute onion until translucent.
Blend in flour.
Gradually add milk, stirring constantly until thickened.
Add pepper and seasoned salt.
Mix in ham and potatoes to coat well.
Sprinkle cheese and bread crumbs on top.
Cover and bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Might take longer when doing it on coals.

Masaman Curry

Christina S.

2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 Tbsp salt
1 cup potato
1 Tbsp masaman curry paste
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 lb beef
1 Tbsp tamarind-optional
1 Cinnamon Stick-optional
1/4 cup cashews or peanuts-optional
2 pinches cardamom-optional
2 leaves bay leaf-optional

Peel and cut up potatoes into big chunks, 1x1x1 inch. Cut up beef and onion the same size. You can substitute chicken or lamb for beef, if you like.

Heat coconut milk and masaman curry paste in a pot over medium to low heat and stir. Break up the paste and mix well with coconut milk. Stir constantly to keep the mixture from sticking. When you see the red oil bubbling up (about 5 minutes), add the meat and stir to cover the meat with curry. Add half a cup of water or enough to cover all the meat. Add the rest of the ingredients, except for potatoes, onion and cashews. Stew for 1/2 hour or until beef is getting tender. Add potatoes, onion and cashews. Let simmer for 20 minutes more. The liquid should be reduced and you should be able to see some chunks. But, if the liquid is very low, add more water.

Yields 2-3 servings

Slow Cooker Creamy Potato Soup

Marcy F.

6 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 onion, finely chopped
2 (10.5 oz.) cans chicken broth
2 cups water
5 large potatoes, diced (red potatoes are excellent for this soup)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 tsp. dill weed
1 cup all purpose flour
2 cups half and half cream
1 (12 oz.) can evaporated milk

Place bacon in a skillet and cook over medium heat until brown. Add to slow cooker leaving the grease in the skillet. Saute onions in bacon grease until soft. Drain off excess grease and add onions to the cooker.
Stir in broth, water, potatoes, salt, pepper, and dill. Cover and cook for 6-7 hours on low, stirring occasionally.
In a small bowl, whisk together flour and half and half. Stir into soup along with the can of evaporated milk. Cover and cook another 30 minutes before serving. Serve with grated cheddar cheese.

Smashed Potato Soup

Jennifer S.

3-1/2 pounds potatoes, peeled and cut into 3/4-inch cubes
1/2 cup chopped yellow and/or red sweet pepper
1-1/2 teaspoons bottled roasted garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
4-1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup whipping cream, half-and-half, or light cream
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions
Sliced green onions ((optional)

In a 4- to 6-quart crock pot, combine potatoes, sweet pepper, garlic, and black pepper. Pour broth over all.
Cover and cook on low-heat setting for 8 to 10 hours or on high-heat setting for 4 to 5 hours.
Mash potatoes slightly with a potato masher. Stir in whipping cream, cheddar cheese, and the 1/2 cup thinly sliced green onions. If desired, top individual servings with additional sliced green onions. Makes 8 servings.

Potato Soup in the Crock Pot

Jenifer W.

8 C. of potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2'' - 3/4'' sized cubes
1/3 C of onion, diced
3 - 14.5 oz cans of chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken soup
1/4 tsp of pepper
4 Tablespoons bacon bites
8 oz. cream cheese, cubed

Combine potatoes, onion, broth, soup, pepper and bacon into the slow cooker. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. About an hour before serving add the cream cheese, stir and continue cooking until it has melted.

The kids like to add more bacon ;) and some shredded cheese to make it like a loaded baked potato!

Enjoy!

Slow-Cooker BBQ Beef Stew

Jennifer S.

1 Tbsp. oil
2 lb. beef stew meat (1-1/2-inch cubes)
5 carrots (3/4 lb.), peeled, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 large onion, cut into chunks
6 small red potatoes (2-1/2 lb.), quartered
3/4 cup Barbecue Sauce, divided
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen peas OR Substitute your favorite frozen vegetable, such as green beans, for the peas.

HEAT oil in nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add meat, in batches; cook until evenly browned, stirring occasionally. Layer carrots, onions and potatoes in bottom of 5-qt. slow cooker; top with meat. Pour 1/2 cup barbecue sauce over meat; sprinkle with Worcestershire sauce. Cover with lid.
COOK on LOW 7 to 8 hours (or on HIGH 5 hours).
STIR in peas and remaining barbecue sauce; cook, covered, 15 min. or until heated through.

Perfect Winter Beef Stew

Jennifer S.

3/4 cup Zesty Italian Dressing
2 lb. beef stew meat, such as beef chuck roast, cut into 1-inch chunks
6 slices Bacon, chopped
1/2 lb. sliced fresh mushrooms
1 large onion, chopped
6 carrots (about 1 lb.), sliced
1-1/2 lb. potatoes (about 3), peeled, cut into large chunks
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) stewed tomatoes, undrained
1 can (14-1/2 oz.) beef broth

POUR dressing over beef in resealable plastic bag. Seal bag; turn to evenly coat beef with dressing. Refrigerate 30 min. to marinate.
COOK bacon in large saucepan on medium heat 5 min. or until crisp, stirring occasionally. Use slotted spoon to remove bacon from saucepan; drain on paper towels.
ADD mushrooms and onions to saucepan; cook on medium-high heat 10 min. or until tender, stirring occasionally.
REMOVE beef from marinade; discard marinade. Add beef, onions, mushrooms and remaining ingredients to slow cooker. Cook 6 to 8 hours on LOW (or 3 to 4 hours on HIGH). Stir in 2 Tbsp. flour mixed with 2 Tbsp. water. Cook, covered, 15 min. or until sauce is thickened.
If cooking on low setting, turn up to high for last 15 min when adding the flour mixture.

Chicken, Potato and Vegetable Bake

Jennifer S.

6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1-1/2 lb.)
1-1/2 lb. Yukon gold potatoes (about 3), peeled, cubed. OR try red baby potatoes, OR sweet potatoes, OR combine any of the above.
3 carrots (1/2 lb.), coarsely chopped
1 onion, coarsely chopped
3/4 cup Light Zesty Italian Dressing
2 Tbsp. Grated Parmesan Cheese

HEAT oven to 400°F.
PLACE vegetables in large baking dish, top with chicken; drizzle with dressing.
BAKE 1 hour or until chicken is done.
SPRINKLE with cheese.

Overnight Breakfast Casserole

Jennifer S.

Makes 8 servings

30 ounces hashed brown potatoes, thawed
1 pound sausage browned and drained OR use cut up ham OR cooked, crumbled bacon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
8 large eggs 
2 tablespoons mustard prepared
2 cups milk of heavy cream (I have milk on hand more often)
2 cups cheddar cheese shredded
4 small scallions thinly sliced


Place potatoes in 13x9 pan, stir in sausage and 1 c cheese.
Combine eggs, seasonings, mustard and cream or milk in a blender jar, whip up and pour over potatoes.
Sprinkle with cheese and scallions.
Cover with foil
Refrigerate over night.
Bake covered at 350 degrees for 45-60 mins. Until eggs are "set" in the center of pan.
Remove foil for 15 mins more to brown top.

Mix-ins (Optional): 1 cup of bell peppers (diced,and sauteed). 1 4-oz can green chilies. 2 cups sauteed mushrooms. Top casserole with jalapeno slices. 2 cups broccoli florets (steamed and diced). Really almost anything you want to add to it you can.