Papa’s Potatoes

Papa's potatoes

These potatoes are one of the greatest grilling sides! Totally credited to my sweet daddy. He was quite the grilling master. We always looked forward to the summer nights that Dad was cooking dinner. Melt in your mouth steaks or juicy burgers were usually on the menu…and potatoes. The best part, for moms everywhere, cooking like this on the grill means little clean up.

My hubby’s parents recently came out here to visit and one of the nights we grilled steaks and I made these potatoes. They were met with rave reviews, especially from my father-in-law, who is also quite the grilling chef!

Easy and delicious. I prefer them cooked on the grill but you can just as easily make them in the oven.

You’ll need:

3 potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (makes about 6 packets)

1 onion, chopped

Carrots, chopped

1 or 2 cans of Cream of Chicken or Cream of Mushroom

Salt and pepper to taste

What to do:

Prep your potatoes, onion and carrots and then add them in layers to a large bowl. I add the potato slices lightly salt and pepper them, then add in some carrots and onion, stir, then a little Cream of Chicken. Stir. Repeat. Until all is added to the bowl and well coated.

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Next tear off a sheet of aluminum and scoop out some of the potato mix to the center.Pull the sides up and fold it down a couple times and then fold in the sides.

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These cook on the grill or in the oven at 375 degrees for 30-40 min. Careful when you open them. Steam will pour out and your creamy potatoes are piping hot!

Thick cut bacon wrapped steak and green beans are always part of a yummy meal!

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Broccoli & Grape Salad

Broccoli & Grape Salad

Broccoli & Grape Salad!! This is a refreshing salad that will be great for all of your summer BBQ’s! I recently made it for my Kentucky Derby Party and it was a delicious hit! Below is the recipe I got from my mama, but there are SO many variations of this on pinterest, like this one. Some add celery, some add onion, but all are the same basic idea.

You’ll need:

1 bunch broccoli florets

2 cups seedless red grapes halved

1 cup slivered almonds

1/2 lb bacon fried crisp and crumbled

3/4 cup sunflower seeds

Optional: 1 cup of raisins

Dressing:

1 cup mayo
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon white vinegar

How to make:

Once you’ve got everything prepped, it’s just 4 easy steps!
1. Mix dressing in a small bowl
2. Mix all other ingredients, except grapes in a large bowl
3. Add dressing and mix
4. Gently fold in grapes

Seriously. It’s that easy. You spend more time halving the grapes than anything else.

Make ahead!

You can made it a day ahead of time too. I don’t mix anything, but just cut up my broccoli and grapes and put in the fridge in separate containers. I also mix up my dressing too. The next day all I have to do is put it all into my serving bowl with the bacon and nuts. Easy Peasy!!

Have you tried this salad? Do you have a different version? Share in the comments!

 

Zucchini fritters!

 

Zucchini Fritters final

Corn. Green beans. Broccoli. Potatoes. I feel like we do the same veggie sides all the time. Mostly because those are the few we like and are easy.

But I recently saw this pin from Just a Taste for 5 ingredient zucchini fritters. I’ve recently developed a liking for zucchini,  although I’m the only one in the family to do so.

After a small eye roll from the hubby I started grating my zucchini while he cooked us up some steaks. Click here for the instructions by Just a Taste,  keep reading for mine.

What you’ll need:
4 cups shredded zucchini
2/3 cup all purpose flour
2 large eggs slightly beaten
1/3 cup scallions
Vegetable oil
Sour cream (optional)

Grate your zucchini, and squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Lightly salt it and add it to a bowl. Just a Taste suggests putting it in a colander and letting it sit for 10 minutes also.

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Then add your flour,  eggs, scallions,  salt and pepper. Mix. Mix. Mix.

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Line a plate with paper towels to set your fritters on. Coat the bottom of a pan with oil and heat over a medium-high heat.
When hot,  scoop your zucchini mixture(about 3 tablespoons each) into the hot oil. Cook for about 3 minutes each side or until golden brown.

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Place on the plate and sprinkle with salt. Continue the steps until you’ve used all the mix.

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To be honest,  I forgot to buy scallions so they aren’t added to mine. Let me say,  I think these would have been excellent with them. While my eye rolling husband loved them anyway,  I thought they needed a bit more (thus the scallions). Maybe a spicy aioli? But not bad for a first attempt. This may not be in full rotation yet,  but it’s definitely something I’m going to work on.

Give it a try and let me know what you think. How would you change it?