This scalloped potatoes and ham casserole is a filling, family-pleasing dish that will help you use up any leftover ham.
Origin
The exact origin of scalloped potatoes is unknown, although it is believed to have originated in England. One additional theory is that scalloped potatoes, and all other “scalloped” dishes, are derived from the same original dish: baked oysters with bread crumbs.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13 pan and set aside.
Cook onion and butter over medium low until onion is tender. Add thyme and flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
Turn heat to low and add milk a little bit at a time whisking between each addition. The mixture will thicken but as you continue adding and whisking, it will smooth out. Stir in chicken broth, salt and pepper bring to a boil and allow to boil 1 minute.
Place 1/3 of the potatoes topped with 1/3 of the ham and 1/3 of the sauce. Repeat layers ending with sauce on top.
Bake covered for 50 minutes. Uncover and bake 25-35 minutes longer or until potatoes are tender. Add the cheese during the last 15 minutes if using.
ool at least 15 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley.
Lumpia are Filipino fried spring rolls filled with ground pork and mixed vegetables. Serve them as an appetizer or finger food, with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.
Lumpia was introduced to the Philippines during the pre-colonial period by early Hokkien immigrants and traders from Fujian between 900 and 1565 AD. The name is derived from Hokkien, a language that originated in southeastern China: “lun” means wet, moist, or soft, and “pia” means cake or pastry.
Lumpia are Filipino fried spring rolls filled with ground pork and mixed vegetables. Serve them as an appetizer or finger food, with a sweet and sour dipping sauce.
1pkgLumpia wrappersChinese or Vietnamese spring roll wrappers meant for frying can be used
2lbsground pork
1inchgingerpeeled and minced
2tbspsoy sauce
2largeeggsslightly beaten
3dashesblack pepper
6ozcabbagethinly sliced
Instructions
Using a serrated knife, cut the square lumpia wrappers in half so that you have two stacks of rectangular wrappers. Place a damp paper towel over the wrappers to keep them from drying out as you work.
Combine the pork, cabbage, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, eggs, and black pepper in a large bowl. Using your hands, or a rubber spatula, mix the filling well so that the seasonings are evenly distributed.
Place one of the rectangular wrappers vertically on your work surface with the short edge facing you. Place a heaping teaspoon of the filling on the wrapper about half an inch from the edge closest to you. Grasp the bottom edge of the wrapper and roll it up and over the filling, continuing to roll until 2 inches of wrapper remain.
Dip two fingers into a bowl of water, then moisten the last 2 inches of wrapper with your fingers. Finish rolling the lumpia, then rest it on its seam. Continue rolling with the rest of the filling and lumpia wrappers.
At this point, you can freeze your rolled lumpia if you wish by placing them in freezer bags and then into your freezer.
To cook the lumpia, fill a large frying pan with about 1/2-inch of vegetable oil. Heat the oil over medium-high heat. Gently place the lumpia into the hot oil and fry until golden brown on all sides, 3 to 5 minutes total (if frying frozen lumpia, it will take 1 to 2 minutes longer).
Place the fried lumpia on paper towels and serve immediately with sweet and sour sauce (bottled from the store is fine).
Notes
You can also add finely minced raw shrimp to the pork mixture if you’d like. Also, instead of ground pork, you can use ground beef or ground turkey.
Another memory from New Orleans. Slow Cooker Jambalaya with andouille sausage, chicken and shrimp cooked low and slow with bold spices and vegetables with just 10 minutes of prep.
This is a rice dish that originated in south Louisiana in the 18th century. While there are countless variations, a standard recipe contains rice, protein, seasoning vegetables and spices.
Another memory from New Orleans. Slow Cooker Jambalaya with andouille sausage, chicken and shrimp cooked low and slow with bold spices and vegetables with just 10 minutes of prep.
The word casserole is derived from a French word that means ‘saucepan’. Apparently, casseroles originated as communal pots that people shared for meals. The oldest recipe for a casserole, around 1250, consisted of pasta sheets cooked in water, layered with grated cheese and spices.
Cheesy Sausage Skillet made entirely in one pan is the perfect meal when you need to get dinner on the table quick!
I am really into these no-boil, one-pot skillet dishes. I have made several and we have loved all of them. They are easy to clean up and take less than 30 minutes to make. Who doesn’t love that?!
MACKENZIE MARTIN, BYLINE: Before the Crock-Pot was the Crock-Pot, it was called the Naxon Beanery, and its purpose was a little more specific. Patented by prolific inventor Irving Naxon, it was originally inspired by a Jewish stew that was slowly cooked on Fridays in preparation for the Sabbath.
Mix together the seasonings: sage, salt, pepper and garlic.
Rub over tenderloin. Place ½ cup water in slow cooker; place tenderloin in slow cooker.
Cook on low for 6-8 hours.
Hour before the roast is finished, mix together the ingredients for the glaze in a small saucepan: brown sugar, cornstarch, balsamic vinegar, water, soy sauce. Heat over medium and stir until mixture thickens, about 4 minutes.
Brush roast with glaze 2 or 3 times during the last hour of cooking.
(For a more caramelized crust: remove from crockpot and place on aluminum lined sheet pan, glaze, and set under broiler for 1-2 minutes until bubbly and caramelized. Repeat 2 to 3 more times until desired crust is achieved.)
