One such dish for this occasion is “Funeral Potatoes”;
supposedly developed throughout the Intermountain states of Idaho, Nevada and
Utah. Searching through culinary resources,
this “cheesy, creamy potato casserole” shows up in Mid-western and Southern
cookbooks as well. For Utah, it was
typical for Relief Societies to make this potato dish for grieving families;
giving comfort, not just to the heart, but the body as well. A Blanding, Utah friend, Heidi Murphy, gave
me her family recipe; I’ve enjoyed it as directed, but even played with
different cheeses included such as Swiss, Goat and Gruyere. It is definitely a potato lover’s delight and
accompanies any cooked meat or poultry deliciously; however, it takes two days
to prepare and spontaneity is not a friend of this recipe.
I can hear the huge sighs now and the question, “Oh dear,
what has she done with this tried and true recipe now?” You know me so well, don’t you? As much as I, and my husband, love the taste
and texture of Funeral Potatoes, when we want a potato casserole now, we want
it now! While my recipe is more in line
with an “au gratin” casserole, the comfort can be achieved in two hours,
instead of two days. I still use real
butter. Margarine? Seriously, who, in their right mind, would
use something one molecule away from becoming plastic! Instead of a canned soup, a lightly seasoned
mixture of fresh eggs and real cream seals the deal. Thinly sliced potatoes, sharp Cheddar cheese
enveloped in a rich, creamy sauce; now that’s what I call comfort! To be fair, I am including Heidi’s recipe
along with mine; make both and have a cook-off.
Cheddar Cheesy Potatoes
Ingredients:
6 medium potatoes (white,
red skinned, or mixture)14 Tbsp. butter or butter with canola oil
1 (16 oz.) bag shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
Ground black pepper
Salt
2 large eggs
2 cups half n ’half
Preparation:
Slice potatoes 1/8 inch
thin (leave skin on) and immerse in cold water for 15 minutes; drain and
rinse. While potatoes are soaking, melt
2 tablespoons butter in 10 inch skillet and sauté until edges just begin to
brown; remove from heat. Preheat oven to
375F; smear bottom and sides of 4 quart baking dish with 2 tablespoons butter.
Begin layering 1/3 of
potatoes on bottom of dish; sprinkle 1/3 of onions over potatoes; 1/3 of cheese
spread over all; 5 tablespoons butter; ¼ teaspoon each of ground black pepper
and salt. Repeat except for final layer,
only spread the remaining cheese; no additional butter, black pepper and salt.
In a medium bowl, lightly beat
together eggs, half n’ half, ¼ teaspoon each ground black pepper and salt;
evenly pour over top layer of baking dish.
The mixture will work its way down into the layers and bottom. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 45
minutes. Uncover, bake for additional 20
minutes and let settle for 5 minutes before serving.
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| Fried Chicken Cutlets, Corn Relish, Cheddar Cheesy Potatoes |
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| Fried Chicken Cutlet, Corn Relish, Potatoes |
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| London Broil, Potatoes |
Ingredients:
7 medium potatoes (Yukon Gold or Russet)
½ cup butter, plus 8 additional ½ Tbsp. pieces
1 can Cream of Chicken soup, family size
½ can milk
1/3 cup onion, minced
1 ½ cups cheddar cheese, grated
1 pint sour cream
¼ tsp. salt
½ tsp. ground black pepper
Corn flakes
*optional: real bacon bits
Boil potatoes, skin on,
till fork tender (slightly firm); let cook, peel off skin and grate.
In a large saucepan,
combine cup of butter, soup and milk, on medium heat, till hot; do not bring to
boil. Whish in onion, cheese, sour
cream, salt and pepper till smooth.
In a 9 x 13 baking dish
(spray with non-stick spray), layer potatoes then sauce (there will be 3 layers
of each). Top with an even layer of corn
flakes; dot with the 8-1/2 Tbsp. of butter.
Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate overnight.
Next day, preheat oven to
350F. Bake, covered with foil, for 45
minutes; uncover and bake an additional 15 minutes. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.
Makes 8-10 servings.
Mary Cokenour
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