I'm having Thanksgiving at my house for the first time ever. I've got a box of scalloped potatoes and I want to add to it a bit. What do you think of this idea:
I want to add diced onion and some parmesan cheese before I cook it. Also, I thought of adding some onion powder (something I do to mac and cheese anyway and it's really good). What about a dash of Worcestershire sauce? Any other ideas?
2007-11-15 07:16:33 · 11 answers · asked by debbie 4 in Food & Drink ➔ Cooking & Recipes
I am set on making the box since I have to cook everything else and I have class that morning and church that evening. This is not up for change. I just want to alter the boxed stuff.
2007-11-15 07:36:13 · update #1
Since your Thanksgiving dinner is going to be filled with a variety of smells, flavors and textures, I wouldn't doll up these potatos too much. Here are some ideas though:
1. To scalloped potatos add 3 oz cream cheese, 5 slices bacon (cooked and crumbled) and top with shredded cheddar cheese.
2. 1/2 cup chopped chives, 1/4 cup sour cream and white cheddar cheese on top
3. 1 cup diced smoked ham, 1 cup asparagas spears, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese.
4. 1 small can diced green chilis, 1 cup smoked chicken or turkey (opt.), shredded cheddar cheese mixed with crushed tortilla chips for the topping
2007-11-15 07:28:31 · answer #1 · answered by JennyP 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anything to dress up a box of potatoes would help. When I am in a rush I use the Velveeta brand au gratin potatoes and they are pretty good.
Heres my favorite recipe for:
Scalloped Potatoes with Cheese
3 Tbsp butter
2 lbs (about 4 medium sized) Russet potatoes, peeled, sliced 1/8-inch thick
1 large yellow or white onion, thinly sliced
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 Tbsp chopped fresh chives (optional)
2 thick slices of bacon, cooked and chopped
2 1/2 cups grated Swiss or Gruyere cheese (about 8 ounces)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 2 ounces)
2 1/2 cups to 3 cups of half-and-half (half milk, half cream)
Salt and pepper
1 Preheat oven to 350°F. Butter a large casserole dish with 1 1/2 Tbsp of butter. If you use a casserole dish that is about 9x13 (bigger than the one shown) you'll have more surface area, more of the potatoes will brown, and the cooking time will be faster.
2 Layer the bottom of the casserole dish with 1/3 of the potato slices. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Layer on 1/2 of the sliced onions and 1/2 cup of the Swiss cheese. Layer on 1/2 of the bacon, 1/2 of the parsley and chives. Sprinkle with a little Parmesan.
Repeat by layering on 1/3 of the potato slices, sprinkle again with salt and pepper. Layer on the remaining sliced onions, 1/2 cup of the Swiss cheese, the remaining bacon, parsley and chives. Sprinkle with a little Parmesan.
Top the casserole with the remaining potato slices. Add the half and half. Dot the potatoes with the remaining 1 1/2 Tbsp of butter.
3 Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for one hour. After an hour, remove from the oven, remove the foil, sprinkle on the remaining Swiss and Parmesan cheese. Return to the oven for an additional 30-40 minutes. When done, the potatoes should be tender, but not mushy, and the liquid should be mostly absorbed.
Serves 8.
For a faster cooking time, you can parboil the sliced potatoes for 8 minutes first, patting them dry, before layering them in the casserole pan. In this case the total oven cooking time is about 35-45 minutes
2007-11-15 07:24:41 · answer #2 · answered by saved_by_grace 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like others said I would add bacon bits, but use chewy ones not the hard ones, also I would add seasonings that match your meat such as garlic or thyme. I would add sour cream in with the cheese mixture to give it a little extra kick, I would leave the Worcestershire sauce out and just do the bacon,onion, sour cream, and extra cheese. I commend you for cooking dinner for everyone even with your prior commitments. Good Luck!
2007-11-15 08:32:07 · answer #3 · answered by Jenn L 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are attending class and then later church and you expect to cook and host thanksgiving inbetween. You are crazy.
Make a meal to remember. Why would you want to cook something from a box that someone could eat any day of the year? Don't you know how to make mashed potatos? They are usually a standard at every holiday meal.
2007-11-15 08:01:44 · answer #4 · answered by Jades mom 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Making those potatoes from a box is icky no matter what you add into it. All they taste like is chemicals. Making home made scalloped potatoes isn't hard at all. If you have the time, make them home made so that they are better for you and contain less salt and chemicals for you and your guests.
Happy Thanksgiving!
2007-11-15 07:21:04 · answer #5 · answered by Angiej1213 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I'm with everyone else I would make them homemade... But your ideas sound great... I love putting ham in mine...Happy Thanksgiving...
2007-11-15 07:26:30 · answer #6 · answered by blonde n love 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You're insulting my Irish heritage. Potatoes don't come in a box, don't waste your time with that garbage.
2007-11-15 07:24:00 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
try it out a day or 2 b4 just 2 b sure. ya don't want a flop on thanksgiving !!
2007-11-15 15:52:54 · answer #8 · answered by colleen68_2001 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why not make them from scratch. your almost there with all the add ons. they all sound good though even if you use the box stuff.
2007-11-15 07:20:34 · answer #9 · answered by lek 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
sounds awesome.. everything sounds great. seems like the worchestershire sauce could work out really good or really .. i'd do a test run
2007-11-15 07:22:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋