Comfort Food: Scalloped Potatoes

There are a lot of foods that I consider “comfort foods”. Oven baked macaroni and cheese, roast beef and gravy with yorkshire pudding on the side, and mushroom soup are just a few. However, my favourite would be scalloped potatoes.

While most kids were requesting hot dogs or pizza for their birthday dinners, I always asked for Scalloped Potatoes. They are definitely my favourite dish, and while they may not be the best choice health wise, they are certainly one of my comfort foods. Since carbs are my nemesis, I save scalloped potatoes for a “once in awhile” meal. There are a lot of different ways to make them, so I thought I would share my method with all of you.

I am definitely no chef, and as you can see I forgot to take a picture of the finished dish while it was still in the casserole dish (I told you I love them…I couldn’t wait to dig in!), but you can see a serving of my finished potatoes on a plate at the top.

Ingredients:

• 8 large potatoes, sliced with peel on
• 1 medium onion, sliced
• 2.5 cups milk
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, mix the milk, butter and salt, and gradually add the flour.
2. Stir over medium heat to thicken.
3. Cut the potatoes into slices and layer the bottom of a large casserole dish.
4. Add a few layered onions on top of the first layer of potatoes.
5. Pour part of the sauce mixture over the first layer of potatoes.
6. Repeat the layer of potatoes and onions and sauce twice more.
7. Pour the remaining sauce over the top of the potatoes.
8. Bake the scalloped potatoes at 400ºF for one hour.

I bake them uncovered, but if they are not as soft as I like them, I will put the whole casserole dish in the microwave, covered, for 8 minutes. They are always soft and delicious!

What are your comfort foods?