Homemade Scallop Potatoes

This recipe made me do a lot of research because I wanted to know more about cheese. This will be in a further post on melting and the taste of cheeses. I made the scallop potatoes with some Baby Back Ribs. Another great and easy recipe. The ribs just sit in the oven and bake until you serve them and they are fall off the bone delicious. 

Ok stay focused Lani. Let us get started by having all your ingredients and tools ready. Set your oven to 350 degrees.

You will need an 8x8 pan to bake the potatoes in. 

The most painstaking part of this recipe is the cutting of the potatoes. If you have a mandolin it is easy peazy. If not cut your potatoes into thin slices no bigger than a 1/4". A small pot to melt the cheese butter and flour in. Add a bowl of cold water to place the potatoes in once slices. This helps get rid of some of the starch in the potatoes.

Ingredients

4 cups of thinly sliced baking potatoes

3 tablespoons of butter

1 1/2 cups of milk

1 tsp kosher salt

1 dash of cayenne pepper (I use a bit more for the bite)

1 teaspoon smoked paprika

1 1/2 cups of sharp cheddar cheese (divided 1 cup and 1/2 cup)

First task is slice those potatoes and place them in a container filled with cold water. Once that is done the rest is a breeze. Get your pot on to the stove and melt the butter keep this on low and add your flour and make a thick paste. Like a roux. 

Now whisk in the milk and add the seasonings. Keep stirring while adding the one cup of cheese until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth. 

Grease the bottom of your 8x8 pan prior to adding your sliced potatoes. Now the sauce is done, potatoes sliced, pan greased. Add half of the potatoes and cover evenly with half the cheese sauce on the potatoes. 

Take the last of the potatoes place them on top of the cheese in the pan and cover with the remaining sauce. Top it all off by sprinkling with the 1/2 cup of cheese left. I also sprinkle smoked paprika on top cause it looks good. 

Now pop that pan in the oven set at 350 degrees and let it cook for approximately 45 minutes. Check them after 30. I added 15 minutes because I like mine crispy on the top. 

And Wa-La here they are !