Wednesday

Ultimate Potato Recipe Challenge with over 40 recipes

Challenges are a lot of fun to me and I'm having a great time with the Irish theme this month - potatoes!    I bet my tiny bit of Irish blood ancestors would be proud of all the potato recipes below.  I see several I will be testing out myself!  My recipe is first up of course, so come on and enjoy.


Ultimate Potato recipe challenge with 40 plus recipes



We usually make some kind of potato dish for a group gathering which I think this one would do well for.  I cooked the recipe two ways.  The first in an individual size loaf pan and second in a cast iron skillet.  I liked the loaf size but it was tricky to get out of the pan in one piece.  If you do that, be sure not to use too much of the sauce so it will be a bit firmer.  My favorite was in the skillet.  Actually using a skillet is my favorite way for a lot of casseroles.  They look rustic and hearty.


Potato, Ham, Green Bean Skillet Casserole


I started the recipe by peeling potatoes and dicing them pretty small.  Like you would for country hash browns.  I set them aside is cold water while I diced up a small onion and a green bell pepper to toss into a skillet with olive oil and saute until just tender.  I also cut off the ends of some fresh green beans and cut them in half.  I purchased a big slice of ham and diced it up.

With all the ingredients prepped I made a sauce and prepared the pan with an olive oil spray.  Then I started the layering.  

In the prepared pan I put in the diced ham then some green beans and filled the pan 3/4 full of diced potatoes.  Shake on a little salt and pepper to season the potatoes.  On top of the potatoes spread the sauteed onions and bell peppers.  Pour on the sauce to just below the rim of the pan.  Too much will boil over and mess up your oven, lol.  


Laered potato casserole in individual size loaf pan servings


About 10 minutes before the potatoes are done add some shredded cheese and return to the oven for the final 10 minutes.  If I'd had some parsley I'd have garnished it with that but since I didn't I made a little salad bed with spinach leaves and served with the extra green beans I cooked with the ham trimmings and bone.  It came out delicious.  

Potato, ham, green bean layered casserole

by Jeannie
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients (serves 6)
    casserole
    • 2 cups diced potatoes
    • 1 cup fresh green beans, trimmed and cut in half
    • 1 cup diced cooked ham (more if you prefer)
    • 1 small onion
    • 1 green bell pepper
    • sauce (recipe below, or you could use a can of cream of chicken soup)
    • 1 Cup grated cheese (we like cheddar, but use your favoite)
    • 2 Tablespoons olive oil to saute onion & bell pepper
    • Spray oilive oil to prepare pan
    sauce
    • 2 cups 2% milk
    • 1/4 cup conrstarch
    • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
    • 4 oz cream cheese, cubed
    • 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire
    Instructions
    Peel and dice 2 cups of potatoes. I used a mix of white and red potatoes. Set them aside in a bowl of cold water until ready for them.
    Trim and dice the precooked ham. I bought a packaged slice that was perfect.
    Dice the onion and bell pepper. Saute them in a skillet with a couple Tablespoons of olive oil just til tender. No need to cook them to death as they will cook more in the casserole.
    While they cook, start the sauce. Whisk together milk and cornstarch in a medium sauce pan over medium high heat. It should not boil or it may scorch. Add the Italian seasoning, Worcestershire, cream cheese and a pinch of salt and coarse ground black pepper. Stir until thickens and remove from heat.
    Now you are ready to layer.
    Place a layer of cubed ham on the bottom of prepared pan.
    Next, a green green beans.
    Now, drain the potatoes and add to the casserole. Season potatoes with a sprinkle of salt and coarse ground pepper.
    Pour on the sauce.
    Bake 375° F. for 35 minutes.
    Add shredded cheese and return to the oven for another 10 minutes.
    Remove and test potatoes for doneness by piercing with a fork. Tender? Done.
    Let it stand for 10-15 minutes and then serve.
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    I hope you will check out some of the other fabulous potato recipes and please let me know about your favorite recipe.


    Ultimate Recipe Challenge with Potatoes