Help! Help!

[Howler]

Does anyone here know if you can make Scalloped potatos the night before you serve them?

And does anyone have a really good recipe for scalloped potatos?

I usally do twice baked patatos for our Holiday feast but I wanted to change it up a little this year. I've never made Scalloped potatos before though.
Any tips,advice,recipes. ????

[Denninmi]

1. Yes, in fact, they are probably better the second day.

I've done them ahead two different ways. Raw and ready to throw into the oven the next day, and fully cooked to just reheat. If doing the raw option, be forewarned that potatoes can darken if they sit overnight after being peeled, but a light dusting of Fruit Fresh (powdered Vitamin C mixed with dextrose, I believe) on the rinsed and drained potatoes before putting into the baking dish and covering with the sauce prevents this and doesn't change the flavor at all.

I don't have a recipe per se, but what I do is very close to this recipe in the link. If I were doing this for company, I think I would be tempted to substitute either a cup of cream or a couple of cups of half and half for some of the milk to make it richer. Variations include adding some small cubes of ham or some crumbled, cooked bacon, or turning it into potatoes au gratin by the addition of cheese of various kinds.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/home-style-scalloped-potatoes/detail.aspx

[Howler]

2. YAY!!!!! Thank you Denninmi!

Which tasted better the next day the "Raw and ready to throw into the oven"? or The already cooked just heating it up again?

OOHHHHHHHH That recipe looks Yummy! Thank you again.

[Denninmi]

3. Well, I think it's one of those dishes that improves as it sits.

So I kind of lean to the cook ahead and reheat method. Only danger in that is sometimes the potatoes seem to soak up all of the liquid as they sit overnight in the refrigerator, so it may be a bit dry -- you may need to add a little more milk or cream to it before you reheat if it looks like it's too dry.

[Howler]

4. Cooked the night before it is then. :)

Thank you Denninmi for all your help!

I'll just make some extra creamy sauce the night before too.

[Lucinda]

5. Looks like you got it covered, so I'll just say

Alloo!

[Howler]

8. Hey you!!!! Hi to you too.

Wow Lucinda!
I subscribed to this group what a wonderful place!

[Lucinda]

9. I am so glad you did!

These guys rock. And the vibe is really similar to ASAH. Warm, wonderful, family.

[HopeHoops]

6. Oh hell yeah. They nuke beautifully.

The easiest (not necessarily best) way is to coat a clear glass lasagna pan with butter (sides too), put down a layer of potatoes, a layer of butter chunks, repeat, and then fill to 2/3 height with milk. Baking time depends a lot on the type of potato you use, but ALWAYS cover it with foil and it's a good idea to put a splash pan on the shelf below it. Now for the fun...

You can add damn near any kind of vegetable you want along with the potatoes, but don't use so much that it distracts from the main ingredient. Portobello mushroom slices, sliced onion, and chopped garlic are all good choices and parsley is an obvious ingredient. Fresh is better, but dried will do just fine. After you test the taters for "done-ness" (which may take a few tries, especially if they are yummy and you can't resist), take off the foil and add freshly grated parmesan or cheddar. For a real treat, crumble some gorgonzola on it.

You'll want to eat it as soon as it comes out of the oven, but if the idea is to save it, let it cool completely, transfer it into a deeper but smaller in length and width casserole dish with a lid - put a sheet of plastic wrap between the lid and the taters - and pop it in the refrigerator. You can nuke a little or the whole thing. I've never had a problem with that. Reheating in the oven can dry it out, but it is always an option, especially if you slightly under-cook them the day before. Do NOT let them get dry - add more milk if needed.

[Howler]

7. SWEET!!!!!

Thank you HopeHoops!
You guys have made me Armed and dangerous in the kitchen. I'm now locked and loaded and gunning for the best scalloped potatos! LOL!

Thank you so much. The x-mas dinner is the biggest meal I cook for all my family and friends I really want it all to taste WONDERFUL!


I hope you all have an absolutely Marvelous Holiday!!!!
You have greatly helped us here in Howlerville with ours! Thank You!!! (((Hugs)))

[HopeHoops]

10. Oh dear - I've created A MONSTER!!! AAAAARRRGGHHH!!!!

Enjoy.

[Howler]

12. HAHAHA!!!!!!

Some how "HopeHoops's monster" just doesnt seem to have the same drama as Frankenstiens Monster........But I like it! ITS ALIVE!!!!!
HHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWLLLLLLLLLLLL

[HopeHoops]

16. Maybe if I gave it really long legs?

[Howler]

17. LOL!

But...But.....I always wanted Horns HopeHoops. Can I? huh Can I? PLEASSSSSSSEEEEEEE.

[HopeHoops]

20. "It was a one eyed, one horned, flying purple people eater."

Sure. horny sounds good to me.

I'd give it tennis shoes, but that's been done (Bugs Bunny).

[Howler]

21. I love the idea of tennis shoes!!!

So what if Bugs Bunny had em! That just means your monster will be in good company!

[HopeHoops]

22. Do you remember the moster from Bugs Bunny? All hair and tennis shoes?

[Howler]

23. YEAH! I do.

Can't remember his name though...... Ahhhhhhhh memories!!!

[HopeHoops]

24. Me either, but it was a great character.

[Howler]

25. Yes is is a great charactor.

I also LOVE the Tasmainian Devil and his girl friend.

[Arkansas Granny]

11. We've been making this recipe for Rosemary au Gratin Potatoes and it is wonderful.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/rosemary-au-gratin-potatoes/detail.aspx

We sautee a little pancetta and shallots first and then add the flour and go from there. It reheats beautifully and we have never had any leftovers when we've served this dish.

[Howler]

13. OHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!

That looks Yummy! It makes my mouth water.
Thank you Arkansas Granny I bookmarked the recipe. I really have to try that!!!!!

[Howler]

18. Nice!

That also sounds Yummy Tesha.
After the mad rush of the holidays I'm gonna try all of these other suggestions. I have always loved Scalloped potatoes so this is gonna be a really tastee period here in Howlerville.

I'll call Howlerville's serch for the PERFECT Potato period!!!

[Tsiyu]

14. My mom had to eat scalloped taters as a kid all the time

So she refused to serve them to us lol

But good luck. Don't see why you can't bake them almost all the way, then throw them in the oven the next day to finish.


Have a lovely feast! I will probably be going out for CHinese with friends. It's sort of a lonely mountain people's tradition....

[Howler]

19. That what another poster said.

I'm also gonna make extra cream sauce so if the potatos are a little dry Wella.This was very good advice too!


Hey as tired as I am of all the running around trying to put this holiday together for my family going out to have" Chinese with friends" sounds perfectly heavenly.

You have a wonderful Holiday to Tsiyu.(((Hug)))

I hope EVERYONE here has a magnificent holiday!