Hashed brown (Photo credit: naokomc)

Secret Restaurant Recipes

Some time ago I posted a "secret restaurant recipe" for Win Schuler's Bar Cheese.  It was very well received and got a lot of views. Sooooo........

Here is another one you may enjoy.

 

Cracker Barrel Hash Brown Casserole

 1 26 ounce bag frozen country-style hash brown potatoes

2 cups shredded Colby cheese

1/4 cup minced onion

1 cup milk

1/2 cup beef stock or canned broth

2 tablespoons butter, melted

a "dash" garlic powder

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Combine the frozen hash browns, cheese, and onion in a large bowl.  Combine the milk, beef stock, half the melted butter, the garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in another bowl.  Mix until well blended, then pour the mixture over the has browns and mix well.

Heat the remaining butter in a large ovenproof skillet over high heat.  When the skillet is hot, spoon in the hash brown mixture.  Cook the hash browns, stirring occasionally, until hot and all the cheese has melted (about 7 minutes).

Put the skillet in the oven and bake for 45 to 60 minutes or until the surface of the hash browns is dark.

*Note

If your skillet isn't ovenproof (because it has a plastic handle), you can also sppon the potatoes into a glass 9-inch x 9-inch baking dish and place in the oven.

If you can't find Colby cheese, you can use Cheddar cheese. 

Enjoy.

The Old Guy

Potato Puff

Image via WikipediaI've been making this recipes for many years.  It looks fancy, but is very easy to prepare.
It puffs up like a soufle', but will deflate very quickly so serve it straight from the oven so it looks it's best. 

Potato Puff
1-Box Instant Mashed Potato for 8 servings

1-cup cottage cheese

1-cup sour cream

¼ cup green onions, thinly sliced

1 (2-ounce) jar pimentos, drained and chopped

2 teaspoons salt

1 clove garlic, minced

3 eggs, separated

2 tablespoons butter



Prepare mashed potatoes according to package directions using an electric mixer. Add cottage cheese, sour cream, onion, pimento and egg yolks. Beat until fluffy. Beat egg whites until stiff. Fold egg whites into potato mixture. Turn into a buttered 1-1/2 quart casserole. Dot with butter. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 1 hour.

Enjoy
The Old Guy

Bill Knapp's Au Gratin Potatoes

Image via WikipediaThose of you located in Michigan and Florida will remember Bill Knapp's Resturants.  They were popular for the free chocolaste cake they gave you on your birthday, plus your discount equal to the number of years you were old. (50 years olds = 50% discount).  That's probably a contributing factor for why they had to close the Florida stores. (80 years old=80% discount). OMG.

My favorite meal at Bill Knapp's was their Ham Croquettes and Au Gratin Pototoes.  Here is a "copy cat" recipe I came across that comes REAL close.

Bill Knapp's Au Gratin Potatoes

6 cups potatoes- diced, boiled til tender, and chilled
2 cups milk
1/2 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon sweet paprika
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon instant chicken bouillon granules
6 ounces Velveeta cheese

Prepare potatoes.  Melt butter in a large saucepan.  Add flour and blend. (you are making a roux, so after mixing, cook a few minutes to get the flour taste out of the roux)
Gradually add the milk and cook until thickened.  If it gets too thick, add a little more milk.  Add the remaining ingredients and stir until cheese melts.  Add potatoes and stir well.  Pour into a greased casserole dish.  Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until top is browned.
For best results, use whole milk and real butter.  No substitutes.  Can top with buttered bread crumbs if desired.
Enjoy.
The Old Guy