Taste Test Tuesday - Scalloped Potatoes and Franks

Ok, so this recipe seems to be one that you either love or hate.  I grew up with this as a regular meal every few weeks, and it is a comfort food of mine now that I am married and have my own family.  Some of you may cringe, but this was back in the day of pork chops with cream of mushroom soup over it, koolaid all the time to drink even if you woke up thirsty in the middle of the night, and ham potato and pea casserole.  (yeah that last one is just as disgusting as it sounds too. Wugh!)

So far, 3 out of 4 of my kids don't like Scalloped Potatoes and Franks. I think maybe because it is such a departure from the non-casserole food I serve, and maybe also because of the way it looks.  But seriously?  A hot dog casserole?  With cheese?   I can't figure out why they don't like it. What's not to love??

See what you think.  And husband, if you read this, refrain from commenting in the negative.  Other people are other people :) 

Scalloped Potatoes and Franks

Ingredients

2 cups raw sliced potatoes
1 onion, sliced
1 can tomato sauce
1 package hot dogs (nitrate free if you can)
4-6 oz cheddar cheese
2T butter
2T flour
parsley
salt
pepper

Directions
Put sliced potatoes and onion in water to cover.  Boil 7 minutes.  In casserole dish, slice hot dogs, cube cheese, add butter, salt and pepper, and 1/2 of the can of tomato sauce.  Drain onions and potatoes, and add them to the casserole.  Stir to mix.  Top with other half can of tomato sauce and parsley to taste.  Cover and microwave 10 minutes on high.

Taste Test Tuesday

Welcome to

 Today's recipe is...

Shrimp and Grits

This is a recipe I love...

Everything is better with bacon.  Or chocolate.  Right?


If you've never had Shrimp and Grits, please just trust me when I tell you that it is the BOMB.  Yum. 

Grits, you say? 

Ewww. 

Isn't that what Flo told us to kiss on Alice back in the early 80s?  It's a Southern thing, right?  Why not pour this lovely stuff over noodles or rice?  Or couscous?

Well, I guess you COULD.. but it wouldn't be as good.  Just do it! Trust me!

This recipe is found in many different places on the internet, I got mine off of allrecipes or similar about 10 years ago.

Ingredients:

    * 1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled, halved lengthwise, and deveined if you wish
    * Juice of 1 lemon
    * Tabasco or other hot pepper sauce
    * 1 1/2 teaspoons salt or more to taste
    * 1 1/2 cups grits, I use quaker, follow directions on container
    * 6 thick slices bacon, chopped
    * 1 small onion, finely chopped
    * 1/4 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
    * 1 garlic clove, minced (more if you like)
    * 1/2 cup thinly sliced scallions
    * 2 tablespoons flour
    * 1 cup chicken stock
    * 1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
    * 1 cup (about 1/4 pound) grated medium to sharp Cheddar cheese
    * Tabasco or other hot pepper sauce

Instructions:

Combine the shrimp with the lemon juice and a couple of generous splashes of hot pepper sauce. Let sit while you begin the grits and gravy.

Make the grits in a large heavy saucepan.


While the grits simmer, get the gravy under way. Fry the bacon in a medium skillet over medium heat until brown but still limp. Stir in the onion, green pepper, and garlic and continue cooking until the onion and pepper are limp, about 5 minutes. Add the scallions, sprinkle the flour over the mixture, and continue sauteeing for 5 minutes longer. Stir in the stock and remaining salt and cook for 5 minutes longer. Remove from the heat while you finish the grits.

When the grits are thick and creamy, stir in as much of the butter as you wish, followed by the cheese. Add a splash of hot pepper sauce and additional salt if you like. Cover the grits while you finish the gravy.

Return the gravy to medium heat and stir in the shrimp. Cook until the shrimp are opaque throughout, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately, mounding the grits in large shallow bowls or on plates and covering them with shrimp and gravy.

SERVES 4

photo courtesy of seriouseats.com

If you make this on my suggestion, please reply and let me know how yours turned out and what you thought!