Monday, August 2, 2010

Cajun Potato Frenzy!

Ever have one of those evenings when you get home from work and no one tells you hello or asks how your day was?  You're greeted with, "Mom, I'm starvin', there's nothin' to eat 'round here.  When's dinnah gonna be ready?"  This is my house almost every evening the last few weeks.  Since soccer practice is in full swing and the first scrimmages only weeks away, my girls are craving lots of carbs.

 I make a mad dash into the kitchen and panic about what sides to serve that they will eat.  They are both real picky; my my oldest as you know, is a real piece of work as far as sixteen year olds go.

In  a frenzy I came up with these potatoes.  Oh, I'm sure there are many versions of these around, they are smiliar to a loaded baked potato, only Cajun style.

Make these and your family or friends are sure to throw a parade in your honor.




Fill a stockpot a little more than halfway with water and add in three healthy tablespoons of powdered crab boil. Peel about 2 to 3 lbs. of  potatoes and cut in half lengthwise, then cut the halves into thirds, lengthwise and then cut into large cubes, (about 3 to 4 cuts across, depending on the size of your potato).  Add the potatoes to the pot.




Bring water to a boil and cook the potatoes until fork-tender, about 15 minutes.




While the potatoes are boiling: in a medium sauce pan on medium heat, 5 slices of bacon until crispy; remove and drain on a paper towel. When cooled, crumble and reserve. 




Reserve about 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat and add 1 cup of chopped red onion to the fat; cook until caramelized.



Just as the onions are done, add in 1 heaping tablespoon of minced garlic  and 1 tablespoon of chopped chives and cook one more minute.



In a bowl, place 1/2 cup room temperature butter, 1 cup of sharp cheddar cheese, half of the crumbled bacon and 1 scallion thinly sliced (chives will work great too) and the carmleized onins and garlic.  Stir to combine and melt the cheese and butter.  Season to taste with cayenne, salt, pepper.  Add in 1 cup of sour cream and mix together thoroughly.





Add in cooked and drained potatoes and let it set for about 2 minutes, then gently toss to combine, you don't want to mash the potatoes, you want them kind of chunky.  Top with remaining bacon and some chopped scallions.




I love a prade!





23 comments:

  1. "Pro" boil? That must be a new product.

    This "side" looks like a meal all by itself!

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  2. OH MY!!!

    What a great take on cheesy potatoes... need some of that pro boil.

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  3. What a great throw together - cheese, potatoes, bacon, it doesn't get any better. I think the ability to invent dishes is the sign of a real chef.

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  4. Mmm carb loading at it's finest. I've just decided to run another marathon, and I think it's recipes like these that will help me through it!

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  5. WOW, fantastic cheezy potatoes!

    With all the stuff I like on em.

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  6. Well, that ought to shut 'em up! :) Even at 3, my kids greet me every morning with, "Mom, I want some juice.", or "Mom, I'm starvin' to def!". And I say, "Well, good morning to you too."

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  7. If I ever see any of the powdered boil stuff, you can bet I'll be making these potatoes. What a great combination!

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  8. I did a twist on that, only I mashed the spuds, then added all that good stuff. Great minds think alike :)

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  9. Wow - you know how to prepare carbs. Pro-boil is new to me. Must check out.

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  10. Ahh...the demands of being a mother. I can totally empathize. That dish looks tremendous! Perfect end to a hectic day : ))

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  11. Zatarains beats em' all, cher! I have the crab boil, but must find some of that Pro Boil. Looks sinfully good!

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  12. You are a genius in the kitchen and under teenage pressure!

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  13. I'm making this next time Ben demands dinner.

    Which means tonight.

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  14. you were sent here to torture me!
    YUM!!!

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  15. There are two things my family loves. Potatoes and Cheese..
    Perfect dish for them.

    Thanks for sharing ...Can't wait to try!

    shug

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  16. Woah! That looks A-Mazing. A loaded cajun potato? I could eat the entire bucket of them myself. If your family didn't give you some love after that dish I don't know what dish will do it!

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  17. Love Cajun cooking, everything I see here is so mouth watering Katherine!

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  18. Yum--Yum ---Yum... That sounds perfect --especially for hungry teens.... I'm sure they'd love that 'dinnah'....

    I made something similar --but use baked taters... I'm sure yours has much more flavor.. Love that Cajun taste.

    Have a great week, Katherine--and stay COOL.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  19. Um, can I come live with you? I could eat these potatoes every night!

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  20. I can empathize with football season practice in full swing these days.

    Zataran's Pro Boil....I can just use Old Bay instead, right? Oww! Quit throwing stuff at me Katherine! ;)

    I love this cheesy, carby, bacony plate of delicious!

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Thanks for stopping by, I enjoy reading your comments.

Katherine