Friday, December 5, 2008

Recipe - Potatoes Grande

The best cheese potato dish I've ever had. We fight over the leftovers the next day.

Now here's the deal. We ALL have cheesy potato recipes that our families love. And we tend to make them staples at our certain meals and never vary. Also called Scalloped Potatoes they generally have milk, and onions, or shallots, and/or garlic, or (ugh) condensed soup, etc. etc. etc.in addition to various types of cheeses.

And I bet what you make is good, and you are to be commended. But would you do me a favor? Please?

Try MY recipe one time. Just try it. And then let me know what you think. And tell me you and whoever didn't fight over the last scrap left in the baking dish.

I know it's rich, I know it's dense, and I know it doesn't necessarily look all that appetizing with all the browning on top. But let me tell you...... just don't make it that often.

I usually only make it once a year at Easter when I'm serving Dakin Farms Maple Glazed Spiral Sliced Ham.

OK, well maybe I make it a couple more times during the year.

OK, to be honest, when I make it, I also make little Grande Potato dishes in Pyrex dishes and freeze them, so when I need a quick "Grande" hit, I can just pop them in the oven.

And as for the unattractive "Brown" or "Burnt" crusting...... My God, THAT'S the best part!

Anyway, my blog is all about, good food, just post the recipe, and try to photograph adequately. I don't spend a lot of time talking about this and that, as some blogs do.

But, this a personal recipe I posted months ago, when I had zero readers, so I'm featuring it again....and all I ask is, try it, and see if it doesn't become a STAPLE in YOUR inventory.

Trust me on this one.

3½ hours | 30 min prep

SERVES 4 -6

  • 3 medium russet potatoes
  • salt and pepper
  • 3 cups sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 pint heavy whipping cream
Double all ingredients if you want to make more in a 13 x 9 dish.
  1. Slice unpeeled potatoes thinly, not more than 1/4" thick.
  2. In a casserole dish, (8 x 8)layer potatoes, salt, pepper, and a cup of cheese.
  3. Repeat layers until all potatoes are used.
  4. (Reserve 1/2 cup cheese for last layer) Pour entire contents of heavy cream over casserole.
  5. Bake at 300 degrees for approximately 2 hours. It's a deliberate slow bake to steep all the ingredients. I sometimes let it go another hour as it gets crunchier and crunchier.
  6. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.


Let it get as dark brown as you like, it only gets better.

Enjoy!

13 comments:

Pam said...

A nice rich, cheesy dish. You can't go wrong with sharp cheddar and potatoes!

test it comm said...

That looks so good! Cheese and potatoes...mmm...

Anonymous said...

Oh...my...

I'll bet Gruyere would be good, too.

Anonymous said...

Oh man do these look great! That's just about the shortest, easiest, most decadent ingredient list I've ever seen. I'll be sure to give these a try Ron. Thanks!

Janie said...

OMG. the best ever. People loved the crust. What do you think about adding a few onions?

Unknown said...

Made these for the first time - I used a deep dish casserole and used 3 1/2 large russet potatoes and 16 oz cheddar cheese block and grated myself. Cooked for 2 1/2 hours, could have cooked longer but the meat I was grilling was ready. Absolutely wonderful. That so much Ron for sharing!!

Ron Merlin said...

I'm so glad you liked them. It's one of my favorite dishes.

I find the leftovers the next day to be incredible. That is, if there are any.

Thanks for the comment and the visit.

RM

Anonymous said...

I added a few good shakes of cayenne pepper atop each layer and wow! Yes, these were the best scalloped potatoes I've eaten. Thanks.

missesb22 said...

I have not tried these potatoes but my daughter did last night. I got a txt from her that said "omg mom they were awesome"!!! Thanks Ron for helping my daughter Tara become a fabulous cook! :)

Ron Merlin said...

Oh I'm SO glad she tried them. You made my day. Enjoy them with your upcoming Dinner.

missesb22 said...

Tara is bring this dish to our thanksgiving dinner and I am making your green bean casserole. mmmmm good :)

missesb22 said...

our Thanksgiving dinner was a huge hit, thanks to your green bean casserole and potatoes grande. They will be a staple in years to come and not just on the holidays, Thanks Ron :)

Charlie said...

Ron: You have given me a way to update and old recipe! Thank you!

The recipe I have calls for shredded potatoes and is similar by adding the cream.