I have an interesting cooking dilemma, We are mostly empty nesters, now that is not a bad thing. I find it quite enjoyable to cook for two. But when our children visit the numbers change. Last night for example we had 6 adults and 7 children here for dinner.
So, enter the humble crock pot. This gem saved the dinner day. I was cooking chicken in the oven in preparation to put it on the grill, garlic bread was next in line. How do I cook a potato dish with a full oven?
The crock pot was the answer. I had pinned a recipe for Potatoes Au Gratin in the Crock Pot and they were delicious. It freed up the oven and also allowed me to have the potatoes prepped and cooking before my cute grandchildren arrived. It is a recipe I will use often.
Thank you Tina from Mom's Crazy Cooking for sharing this recipe. It's a keeper.
Potatoes Au Gratin in the Crock Pot
6 medium potatoes, peeled and sliced--this is what a mandolin is for!
8 ounces shredded cheese--I cleaned out my cheese drawer and used a combination of cheddar, provolone and Gruyere. I imagine most any cheese would work
3 Tablespoons butter
1/4 cup flour
2 cups milk
6 cloves garlic, crusher
garlic salt, kosher salt and Lawry's Seasoning Salt
Butter the inside of your crock pot or spray with Pam. Layer the potatoes and season with garlic salt, the next layer season with Kosher salt, the following layer with Lawry's. Repeat layers seasoning each layer. Use plenty of seasoning or your potatoes will be bland.
Melt butter, stir in flour. Bring to a boil and let simmer a minute or two. Add the milk and garlic and cook stirring often until thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and add cheese, stir until smooth.
Pour cheese sauce over potatoes--don't stir just shake a bit to make sure cheese sauce gets to the bottom.
Put a double thickness of paper towel on top of the crock pot place lid on. Cook on high for 2 hours, don't disturb. Check after 2 hours--I had to cook another 45 minutes.
Enjoy this dish--it will be ready when you are. Thanks Tiina
I've been on the look out for good crock pot recipes. I'm trying not to turn the oven on to much because it is sooo hot here. Thanks again. Love the pictures of the kids.
ReplyDeleteThat looks great!!
ReplyDeleteI have the same dilemma when the oven is full! I never thought of using the crock pot for potatoes, but these look divine! Have a great weekend, Cindy!
ReplyDeletePotatoes in a crock pot - what a great idea! It's nice having the family all together.
ReplyDeleteThat is great to know it turned out well, and the potatoes were cooked all the way through. I often don't want to turn on the oven here in AZ during the summer, and love to use the crock pot.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Glad u enjoyed it a thanks for the link back! :-)
ReplyDeleteDarling photo of the littles...and the potatoes look lovely as well. I love the crockpot as it always feels like there is a chef home cooking for me and it's ready when I walk in the door at night. Can't beat that...well, unless there really was a chef cooking for me! lol Looks like the perfect side for that chicken!
ReplyDeleteoh yes! you definitely found an answer...looks just perfect!! enjoy your family!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea. It's always nice to free up the oven when you are cooking for a crowd. This looks tasty!
ReplyDeleteHey Cindy! I'm going to make these for mothers day. What type of potatoes did you use? Any idea how much 6 medium potatoes weigh?
ReplyDeleteHey Cindy. Thanks for the tips on what potatoes to use. I ended up going with Yukon Golds. The gratin was a huge hit with my family. Will definitely be making it again. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking in. And a big thank you for following Carole's Chatter. Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteOk, so I am going to have to make those so soon!
ReplyDeleteI would love for you to share these with my readers at Mealtime Monday.
Kaylee
www.couponingncooking.com
Cindy, thank you for linking this in to Food on Friday. We are now getting quite a collection of potato dishes together. Do stop by some of the other links to check them out! Cheers
ReplyDeleteThis sounds so good I'm going to have to try it. Thank you for the recipe.
ReplyDeletePat
Why the paper towels on top. Will it not soak up your sauce?
ReplyDeleteThese sound so comforting and yummy!
ReplyDeleteThis looks so good! I saw your thumbnail on the Keep It Crockin Cool Crock Pot Giveaway link up and had to stop by. This is one of my favorite dishes, but I don't make it often because it's a lot of work... think I'll try it this way instead!
ReplyDeleteNow following you on Pinterest :)
Ang, Juggling Act Mama
What a delicious side dish, it looks great. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!
ReplyDelete