Empanadas

Empanadas

This is my version of the beef filled pastry that's become a Latin favorite.  You can fill the flaky crust with your own concoction of meats mixtures or seafood.  This version is a fusion of Latin and Spanish seasonings.  

Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes

Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes

Gruyere Au Gratin Potatoes

I love Au Gratin Potatoes and this recipe gets a lot of attention at my house and it's very flexible. You can substitute your favorite cheeses to give it different flavors.

Here's what you need:

2 tbl spns butter

2 tbl spns flour

1 cup heavy cream

1 cup of milk (or you can do 2 cups of either)

1 cup Gruyere Cheese (grated) Substitute 1 cup Smoked Cheddar (Grated)

1 cup Italian cheese of your choice (I used mix Italian blend)

2 tbl spn Basil 

2 tbl spn Oregano

2 tbl spn Garlic Powder

1 tbl spn Red Pepper Flakes

Salt and Pepper to taste

About 7 or so medium Golden potatoes.

Here's how you make Au Gratin Potatoes:

An older picture that I have but these are red potatoes.

I like to par-boil the potatoes for about 4 or 5 minutes to ease the cooking time in the oven.  But that's just me.

After you Par-Boil the potatoes, let them cool on a towel and drain.  Once cooled, slice very thin and line a deep dish (oven proof) pan or glass casserole dish with the potatoes, layer after layer using all of the potatoes.  Salt and pepper each layer as you go.  Set aside.

Preheat oven to 400.

The Cheese Sauce:

Don't panic but you have to make a roux here.  In a skillet on medium heat, melt the 2 tbl spns of butter completely, then add the 2 tbl spns of flour and stir continuously for about 5 minutes.  It should be the consistency of melted ice cream.  

Add 1 cup of milk (or the cream) then stir for 1 minute.  Add the other cup of milk and stir.  Continue to stir for about 3 minutes then start adding all of the seasonings.  Continue stirring. VERY IMPORTANT - TASTE THE MIXTURE BEFORE GOING FORWARD.  Adjust accordingly.  

After stirring for about 5 minutes and if you are satisfied with the flavor, add 1/2 of each of the cheeses (save the other half for later).

Stir the cheese until completely melted and taste the mixture again and adjust accordingly.

Pour the cheese sauce mixture over the potatoes evenly as possible.  Top the potatoes with the remaining cheeses.

Cover with foil and place into the oven.

Bake for 40 minutes and remove from the oven.  Remove the foil and sprinkle Paprika over the top of the Au Gratin Potatoes.

Place back into the oven for 20 to 25 minutes uncovered.  The potatoes should be golden brown and fully cooked.  It will be bubbly so be careful when removing.  Let set for 10 minutes before serving.

ENJOY!

Saltgrass Queso Fresco

Salt Grass Queso Fresco

S&M Kettle Cheese Dip

This is my interpretation of the Saltgrass Queso Fresco.  It's more of an inspiration because I've taken some liberty's with it. I use white American cheese, Cilantro etc.,  but I also add a western flavors to dovetail with our Smoke House offerings.  We call it S&M Kettle Cheese Dip!

Con Queso Augratin Potatoes

Con Queso Au Gratin Potatoes

Con Queso Au Gratin Potatoes

This is a rich variation of the traditional Potatoes Au Gratin.  I'm sure there are tons of recipes for this kid friendly version of the old classic but this inspiration came to me in church this morning.  Not sure why, but it did.  Con Queso Au Gratin Potatoes are sure to be a hit with the kid's!

Sausage and Boudain Kolaches

Scotty B Cooks - Sausage Kolaches and Boudain Kolaches

In 2001 we opened a Daylight Doughnut restaurant in Sour Lake Texas and one of the most popular items that we sold was our homemade Kolaches.  Once word got out about our kolcahes, people would drive for 30 minutes just to get their hands on them.

Low Carb Diabetic Friendly Pizza

 

 

Diabetic Friendly Low Carb Homemade Pizza

 

Diabetic Friendly Pizza

 

This light weight, low carb, diabetic friendly pizza delivers very satisfying flavor without over doing it.  

Crock Pot Steak and Gravy

Crock Pot Steak and Gravy!

Crock Pot Steak and Gravy

 

This is good stuff!

 

  

 

I usually do the cooking but my lovely wife surprised me today and made this little number for dinner.  Its very delish and easy to make.

Fresh Water Bass in Zesty Marinara Sauce with Pesto Cheesy Rice

Fresh Water Bass in Zesty Marinara Sauce

Accompanied by Pesto, Garlic and Italian Cheese Rice! 

 

 

 

I'm in the computer / technology business and I'm lucky to be able to sit and visit with my best buddy each morning before the reality of broken computers and phone systems kick in.  He and I like to fish on Lake Toledo Bend lake here in East Texas and Derek had to go to his house and take some fish out of the freezer to thaw for the evening. 

Macaroni and Cheese Tempura

 

Macaroni and Cheese Tempura

 

A Perfectly Different Party Snack Idea

 

Ok this has been on my mind for a while.  I'm not sure if this has been tried elsewhere or not, I really didn't look for recipes for it on the internet.  Seems a little out there to me but it was tasty! 

Alfredo Macaroni and Cheese Casserole Starring Classico Afredo Sauce

 

Alfredo Macaroni and Cheese Casserole with Italian Sausage

Alfredo Macaroni and Cheese with Classico Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce

 Starring Classico Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce!



Simple recipe using Classico Roasted Garlic Alfredo Sauce.  Comfort food at its best!

 

So Macaroni and Cheese recipes have been on my mind as of late but it's been difficult to cook them because I've been so busy.  Plus one can only eat so much macaroni in a short period of time.  It started with my Con Queso Macaroni and Cheese with Fish Sticks about a week ago.  It was a pretty popular post.  Most likely due to it being simple and something that the kiddo's will devour.

Con Queso Macaroni and Fish Sticks

Cheesy Con Queso Macaroni with Fish Sticks

 

 

A simple dish without the boredom! Rich flavor that even the kids will enjoy!