Cheesy Potatoes with Bacon

This week's recipe is inspired by a recent trip to Rhode Island.  While visiting my friend, there may have been quite the alcohol intake, and a visit to a food truck.  Now, being the cheese-maker's daughter that I am, the kind of cheese they use on their "cheesy bacon fries" is not something I can ever appreciate.  The alcohol just made me not think about it.  I wanted to make a version that could be enjoyed under the condition of sobriety.

That was until my mother and I were talking about "My Drunk Kitchen".  If you haven't seen this show, click here to check it out!  As a result of this conversation, the process of me making this recipe is brought to you in part by rum and Coke.  I promise, though, this can be enjoyed in whatever state you may be in.  Please enjoy the recipe (including the silly notes I wrote to myself in the process of making it).

Ingredients for this adventure:

• Potatoes
• Abbie Gouda (from Cooperstown Cheese Company)
• 1/3 cup Butter
• 4-5 Green Onions
• 3-4 cloves of Garlic
• 8 oz. Bacon

First, preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

While the oven is preheating, prepare the ingredients.  Cut the potatoes into small cubes.  I used a mix of potatoes (9 smaller and 3 large) but all together it came out to be about 8 cups when chopped.  Mince the garlic and cut the green onions.  Also, cut the bacon into small pieces.

Melt the butter.  The note I wrote to myself to rationalize the amount was "because that's how much of the stick we have left"... but it turned out to be a good amount.

Put the potatoes in a pan, and mix in the melted butter.  Keep in the oven for 35-40 minutes, or until they can be punctured easily with a fork.  Make sure to stir every 15 minutes or so.

While the potatoes are in the oven, fry the bacon until it is crispy.  Place on a plate in between two paper towels and set aside.  "Always have a towel even if it's paper" is the note I left for myself here.  If these were the kind of notes I was going to leave for myself, I should have made a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster!

Shred the cheese. My notes wouldn't be complete without a cheesy pun, so here's a gouda one. ;-)  The cheese I used was called Abbie Gouda, from Cooperstown Cheese Company.  This was one of the perks I received for helping out at a Farmer's Market in Saugerties, NY.  This cheese is perfect for melting and had a wonderful flavor.  I only used about a 1/3 lb, but the next time I do this I will add more.

When the potatoes are ready, remove from the oven.  Mix the cheese, green onions, and garlic in with the potatoes and put back in the oven for another 10 minutes or so.  By then, the cheese should be melted.  Taste a potato - if it's cooked all the way through, it's done.

The final note of the evening is "remember to turn off the oven", which is always an important thing to do.  That's all I have for you this week.  Enjoy this in whatever state you may choose to, and I'll be back next week with another garlicky recipe.

Garlic Fries

As I mentioned in my previous post (Cheesy Pita Toast), I am participating in NaNoWriMo.  To update from last week, my current word count is around 23,000!  I also realize I forgot to make an "over 9000" joke last week, so I will now...IT'S OVER 9000!!!!  I am still going strong, but I'll let you know next week if that same enthusiasm continues.  There is no garlic in my novel unfortunately, but it gives me all the more reason to keep up with this blog during the process! :)

This week I just really wanted to snack on fries while writing.  Sometimes you just need to go with these urges.  As a result it turned into my recipe for this week!

My ingredients for this week:

• 6 Russet Potatoes
• 4 Garlic Cloves (Georgia Fire from Stoney Creek Nursery)
• 3-4 Tbsp Olive Oil
• 1 1/2 Tsp Smoked Paprika
• 1/2 Tsp Cumin
• 1/2 Tsp Thyme

 First, preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Next, mince the garlic.  Slice the potatoes into the shape of your French Fries, and lay on a greased baking sheet.  Combine the paprika, cumin, and thyme in a small bowl and set aside.

Add the oil to a small pan, and heat.  Once the oil is hot, and is starting to boil, add the minced garlic.  Cook the garlic for about 2-3 minutes, then take off the heat, and remove the garlic from the oil and set aside for later.

Use the oil to coat the potatoes on the baking sheet.  Once thoroughly coated, sprinkle the spice mix over the top, and mix until evenly coated.

Put the baking sheet in the oven, and set a timer for 35 minutes.  At about 15-20 minutes in, take the baking sheet out of the oven to stir the fries, then put back in for the remaining time.  Once the 35 minutes are over, check to see if the fries appear golden-brown, then remove from the oven.

Transfer the fries to a bowl, and add the cooked garlic.  Now it is ready to eat!  Eat just as is for a snack or use as a side dish.  If you try making it, or have another spice combination you've used, feel free to leave a comment and let me know!