Homemade Cheesy Cream Potatoes

Every Christmas I gift my family by cooking whatever they request for Christmas Eve dinner. I decorate the dining room table, and serve a hodge-podge of favorite dishes. One year we had spaghetti with hot dogs; another year, sweet potato casserole with fried tilapia. Now that my daughters are older they are better at choosing foods that go well together. This year's menu consists of fried chicken, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce (how hard is that!), and "homemade, not the kind you add water and cook in the microwave, but homemade cheesy cream potatoes". Sounds like someone is paying attention to my food philosophy! I'm adding something green, and a dessert that has yet to be announced.

Homemade Cheesy Cream Potatoes

Wash, peel, slice and dice 6-8 medium potatoes. Cover with water in saucepan and bring to a boil. Cook for 20-25 minutes, until tender. Remove from heat and drain. Salt and pepper to taste. Add 1/2-3/4 stick butter. Use mixer on low speed to mix while slowly adding 1/4-1/3 cup milk, maybe a little more or a little less to get desired consistency. Transfer potatoes to serving bowl and cover with shredded cheese. Just before serving, microwave for 45-60 seconds until cheese melts.

 

Mom's Holiday Punch

We all look forward to my Mom's Holiday Punch. It is the BEST ever! So simple to make and freeze ahead. Simply mix 2 packages lime kool-aid, 2 cups sugar, 2 quarts water, and 46 oz. pineapple juice. Then, freeze. Before serving let it thaw just a little. Pour in 1 quart ginger ale (about half of a 2 liter bottle), and chop up the ice block. Yummy and such a pretty green color, too.

Mom serving Holiday Punch



Picnic Potato Salad

This is the recipe for my picnic potato salad. It's as easy to prepare as 1, 2, 3, and 4 ingredients plus salt and pepper to taste. I recommend red potatoes because they tend to remain firm as they cook.

4 cups diced red potatoes
3 hard-boiled eggs
1/2 cup Miracle Whip salad dressing
2 tablespoons sweet relish
salt and pepper to taste

Boil 3 eggs until done. Peel and chop real fine. This way there's no large chunks of egg whites in the salad. Set aside.

Cover potatoes with water and boil for 18-20 minutes. Potatoes should be done, yet still firm. Drain water from potatoes. Add eggs, salad dressing, relish, salt, and pepper and mix together.

Mama likes to add 2-3 tablespoons chopped onions. Again, chop it real fine so there's no large chunks of onions in the salad.

Yields 4-6 servings and can be served hot or cold.

Strawberry Season

Spring is in full swing and with it comes fresh strawberries. Packed with vitamin C and potassium strawberries are a healthy choice for snacking. Try mixing sliced berries with vanilla yogurt, or adding crushed berries to your favorite muffin mix. I remember Grandma used to add sugar for extra sweetening, and the syrupy mix made a delicious topping for her poundcake. Unfortunately, the added sugar brought added calories. Personally, I think strawberries are sweet enough just as they are, picked from the vine. Some say strawberries dipped in chocolate are an aphrodisiac...hmmm...I always thought it was the chocolate!