A Realistic Recipe

Ok. I'm starting over. My toddler just pushed a button that magically erased all I just wrote. Ugh. Can I get witness? Yeah. (deep breath)

Here's the super easy super yummy potato recipe i made for many a potluck brunch.
Unfortunately I'm on the Atkins Diet and will probably never be able to eat (a full serving) again. :)

I took a recipe from a book and simplified it so I could make it the morning of the meeting.

Slice potatoes (the thinner the better-I used my Pampered Chef Mandolin...it worked great. I always forget I have that thing. I did this the night before and put them in water into fridge in a microwaveable dish.)

In the morning, pop those spuds in the microwave for 10-15 minutes until tenderish.

Meanwhile:Fry up some bacon. I use Turkey Bacon so as to not offend all of us moms with 5 year old baby fat to which real bacon attaches. It also made up for the rest of the recipe which will certainly put some lite into all our cellulite. Oh, I only did 4-5 pieces. And chopped them up all nice and little because we all know little bites have less calories.

While that is sizzling nicely, make a roux. (Sounds like Tigger's little friend) Take 1/2 C butter or margerine and melt it over medium heat. Maybe a little higher if you are in a hurry and want to live on the edge a little.

While that is melting measure a cup of flour and have 2 C of milk measured and standing by ready to go. (ah...standing ready to go. Unlike our toddlers who are still dawdling 5 minutes after we are already late to leave)

When the butter is melted add the flour stirring constantly so it doesn't scorch. Add the milk all at once and stir constantly so it doesn't lump or scorch. When I say constantly, I mean that you should make sure to do this before your child is actually up and out of bed. Because if your child is up they will find a way to make you leave the stove, probably using a tactic that will stain something.

Continue to stir as it thickens. Use this time to day dream and add some spices to the pot. I put in salt and pepper. Garlic powder. Paprika and a dash of cinnamon.

At some point the microwave will beep for the potatoes. They can just sit an wait until you're good and ready to get it out.

When the roux has thickened, take it off the heat and stir in 1/2-1 cup of sour cream (or nonfat plain yogurt)

Get the potatoes out of the microwave. Drain out the water. Pour them taters into a 9x13 pan.

Sprinkle the bacon over the potatoes. I sprinkled a handful of Mozzerella cheese over that.

Then pour the thickened sauce evenly over the potatoes. Add some cheddar/mozzerella cheese to the top and pop in the oven until cheese is lightly browned. About 20- minutes.

Good news! If you do this the morning of your event, you will have time to shower while it bakes. Unless the kids get up...

Then I got to thinking...this would be such an easy dish to modify for other meals....so here are some ideas I had.
#1. Do everything in the same order. Exchange the meat for ground italian sausage. Use the same seasonings but add some basil, thyme and oregano. Good main dish or serve with italian food.
#2. Add a layer of scrambled eggs over the bacon layer
#3. use Ham or other breakfast meat instead of bacon
#4. Add a can of corn layer and make it a meal...