From my cookbook… Dave and Tony’s Scalloped Potatoes
Are you feeding a crowd for Christmas? Fear not! Scalloped potatoes to save the day!
Be sure to purchase your own copy of the cookbook for your family and friends for the upcoming holidays! It’s a gift that keeps on giving for a lifetime!
There are over 300 recipes in my recently published cookbook, Everyday Cooking for Everyday People Like Us (Click on the link in Note 1 to get your own copy). Even in these inflationary times, we can prepare delicious meals for our family and do so in a way that does not break the budget. And it’s all in the cookbook!
Holiday Cooking
Holiday cooking can be stressful, and if you are like me, you want to minimize how much prep work you have to do right at mealtime. Holidays are about comfort food and time with family and friends, and this recipe is the definition of comfort food. So, no, it’s not low-calorie or light, but it is one of those soul-satisfying dishes that will have your guests asking for the recipe.
What I like about it is that you can prepare it a few hours in advance and then put it in the oven about 45 minutes before you have your meal, so you are not worrying about it right at the end. Also note that you can replace the called-for cheese with your favorite, as all the ingredients are complementary to any cheese you choose. So many things to like!
David and Tony Giustozzi’s Scalloped Potatoes
I think it really is neat that my son Tony likes to cook. He is always trying new things, and his family seems to like them all. We trade cooking stories and pictures all the time. When we get together, we decide upon a menu and often that means creating something new. That’s how our empanadas came to be, and it is the same with these potatoes.
I’ve always thought of potatoes as true comfort food. Now, if you add bacon, cheese, and cream to anything, it’s going to be better. That’s the case with these potatoes. With these ingredients, I guess we should give a warning like on the commercial, “enjoy in moderation!”
Ingredients
4 cups heavy cream
2 teaspoons salt, divided
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3 ½ pounds Yukon gold potatoes,
cut into 1/8” slices (Notes 1, 2)
8 oz. Swiss cheese, grated (Note 3)
1 lb. bacon
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
Directions
Cook bacon until crisp. Place on a paper towel-lined plate and reserve. Break into small pieces when cool.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease a 2-quart 13x9x2 baking or casserole dish with leftover bacon grease. Set aside.
Place the cream in a large sauté pan (Note 4) and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Add 1 teaspoon of the salt and pepper, stir well. Add potatoes, adding more cream if necessary to cover potatoes. Heat until the cream just starts to boil. Lower heat and simmer until the potatoes are barely fork tender, about 10-12 minutes (This step will take about 30 minutes). Remove from heat.
Using a large serving spoon, transfer 1/3 of the potatoes to the casserole dish, forming an even layer on the bottom. Top with 1/3 of the cheese. Continue with two more layers ending with cheese on the top. Sprinkle the bacon pieces over the top and place the two sprigs of rosemary in the equally on the cheese and bacon. Place casserole dish on a cookie sheet in case of overflow and roast until golden brown and bubbly, about 30 minutes.
Remove from oven and let rest 5 to 10 minutes to allow to thicken and set. Serve hot and enjoy!
Notes
Yukon or other yellow potatoes are the best here. Russets will fall apart, and redskins just don’t get as tender or taste as good.
A mandolin or food processor works well to cut the potatoes thin and uniform. If you use a knife, be very, very careful not to cut yourself. Potatoes are tough and slippery. If you must use a knife, cut one end of the potato so it is flat and will remain firmly on the surface of the cutting board and not slip or roll. Stick a fork in the potato to keep your hands away from the knife and hold the potato firmly in place. Consider using cut resistant gloves or a hand protector.
Not all kids like Swiss cheese so feel free to substitute mild or medium cheddar if you wish.
If you don’t have a large sauté pan, use a stock pot.
Dave and Tony’s Scalloped Potatoes
Afterburner Success Partners
What’s in it for me?
Good eats, that’s what!
Call to Action
Show someone how much you love them by preparing a delicious meal for them. Later, enjoy the time and money you save by relishing your leftovers, either for lunch at work or dinner at home. Take comfort in knowing you are eating healthy food you prepared. All because you made a good decision to follow the recipes and tips in the cookbook I developed just for you.
Besides getting a copy of the cookbook for yourself, it makes an excellent gift for those you love and care for, especially for those with a young family who are looking to save time and money in the kitchen. And learn a few things in the process! What a great idea!
Recommended Resources
Everyday Cooking for Everyday People Like Us by David Giustozzi (Note 1).
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Notes
Please note that as an Amazon Affiliate, I may earn a small commission on the sale of any of these recommended resources.
Everyday Cooking for Everyday People Like Us by David Giustozzi: https://amzn.to/437OhVQ