Ranch Potato Salad

September 9, 2011 by
We’re still in our hot weather streak here and I still feel like making simple summer meals.
Especially since the craziness of school time has begun too.
This was an “emergency dinner” one night when I literally didn’t realize how close it was to dinner time until it was too late to prepare much. 
I had a bunch of potatoes in the pantry and some homemade ranch dressing in the fridge, so it kind of put itself together. My hubby doesn’t like potato salad usually, but even he liked this one. 
This would be exceptionally easy to adjust amount on, just remember one egg and slice of bacon per pound of potatoes, and 1 rib celery and 1 green onion for every 2 pounds.
Hope you’re enjoying the last of your summer too!
RANCH POTATO SALAD
4 lbs Russet potatoes
4 hard boiled eggs, peeled and sliced
3 ribs celery, chopped
3 green onions, thinly sliced
4 slices pepper bacon, cooked and chopped
1 T sugar
Ranch dressing to coat
Peel, chop, and boil potatoes until cooked but not mushy.
Cool, then toss with remaining ingredients.
Chill or serve immediately.
Filed Under: Salad / Dressings, Side Dishes Tagged With: ,

Slow Cooker Baked Potatoes

November 12, 2010 by
It’s that crazy time of year.  I know you all know what I’m talking about. (And if you don’t, I WANT YOUR SECRET!) : )
Holidays, family get-togethers, Christmas gifts to make and shop for, decorating, and so on.  It’s also my favorite time of the year.  I love the feeling of giving and gratitude in the air this time of year.  But still, things can get a bit hectic, so a meal like this one comes in awful handy.  My mom made “baked potato bar” night in our home often, and it was always a big hit.  We could each pick what we wanted on our potato and and you won’t find a cheaper ingredient!  So do what I’m doing tomorrow night- make this and give yourself a break!
SLOW COOKER BAKED POTATOES
Wrap potatoes in foil and put in slow cooker.
Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours, or until soft when pierced with a knife.
Serving suggestions:
chopped chives, red onion, or green onions
ranch dressing
sour cream
crumbled cooked bacon
shredded cheese
chili
butter
steamed chopped broccoli
a big garden salad makes a good accompaniment
Filed Under: Meatless Main Dishes, Slow Cooker Tagged With: ,

Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes

October 15, 2010 by
Everyone should have a variety of good side dishes in their recipe collection.  They come in very handy, and I like to make sure whenever I try a new recipe to make a side dish that I KNOW everyone loves.  That way, in case the test recipe doesn’t turn out wonderful, at least there will still be something on the table everyone is happy about.  This is one of those recipes.  Simple, delicious, all around trusty dish. 
CHEESY SCALLOPED POTATOES
Recipe by My Stained Apron
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
3 cups milk
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp paprika
4 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
8 russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced
1 large white onion, thinly sliced
chives or green onions, for serving, optional
Melt butter in a saucepan.  Add flour and stir for about 1 minute. 
Whisk in milk and let cook until slightly thickened, about 5-10 minutes. 
Add salt, pepper, paprika, and 2 1/2 cups of the cheese.
Spray a 9 by 13 inch dish with cooking spray and spread out a third of the potatoes and onions in the bottom.
Spoon over about a third of the sauce.
Repeat twice.  Sprinkle the remaining 1 1/2 cups cheese over the top.
Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 hour, or until potatoes are cooked through and cheese is crusty and browned.  Top with green onions or chives, if desired.
Filed Under: Side Dishes Tagged With:

Lemon Dill Fish, Baked Chips, and Tartar Sauce

June 1, 2010 by
This is a three for one recipe post! I figured they kinda go together. I don’t care for store-bought tartar sauce (at all) and the one my mom used to make was good, but still not quite what I wanted. So I experimented the other night and I came up with what I think is the perfect fish companion! The lemon zest really brightens the flavors and makes it all work.
We love baked fries, they’re so simple and so much better than fried versions, in my opinion.
And a great side dish for so many things.  Have fun trying them with different seasonings too.  You’d be surprised how adjusting the seasonings will change them.
And the fish is simple, easy, AND delicious.  (You know how I love those three words together!)
And using Tilapia makes it much more affordable than halibut or cod or such.
I hope you try all three of these and your family enjoys them as much as we do!

LEMON DILL FISH, BAKED CHIPS, AND TARTAR SAUCE

Lemon Dill Fish
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup bread crumbs
1 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp dried dill weed
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
4 tilapia fillets, about 1/2 inch thick
2 T oil
 
Stir together flour, bread crumbs, lemon zest, dill, and salt until well blended.
Beat egg in another dish.
Dip fish in egg, then flour mixture. Heat oil over medium heat. Cook fish, about 3 or 5 minutes per side.
 
Baked Chips
potatoes
oil
salt and pepper
 
Cut potatoes in half lengthwise, then each half into 4 wedges.
Drizzle with oil, salt, and pepper, toss to coat.
Bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes. Turn halfway through.
 
Tartar Sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup finely chopped pickles
1 tsp pickle juice
1 T dried onion or 2-3 T chopped onion
1/2 tsp seasoned salt (more to taste)
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1 tsp lemon juice
 
Mix everything together well. Flavors get better if allowed to sit in the fridge for a bit.
 
 
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Filed Under: Fish / Seafood, Sauces / Condiments, Side Dishes Tagged With: , ,