Halloween has always been Bytes favorite holiday. And these were fun and so easy to make - just his style. Shrunken Potato Heads are perfect for a Halloween themed gathering to eat, drink, and be scary! A few minutes of prep and the oven does the rest. Gather the number of potatoes you need and scrub well. You'll need a melon ball cutter and a sharp knife. Use your imagination to create faces using the melon ball cutter and knife. And any other tool you conjure up! Place in oven preheated to 350 degrees. Put the potatoes directly on the rack so the hot oven can do it's work. No oil or anything else on the potato skin. Bake for 45-60 minutes, depending on the size of the potatoes you chose and how crispy/wrinkly you want the potato. A fork will easily pierce the ... [Read More]
Potatoes
Slow Cooker Sausage and Egg Casserole
Slow cooker Breakfast and Eggs Casserole is great for a crowd. And if you don't have a crowd, the leftovers for lunch the next day are great, too! I like to have casseroles for breakfast when we have guests. Usually we have some kind of activity planned and hearty breakfast keeps us going till lunch. This easy to make casserole fills the bill nicely. It is high in protein at 23 grams per serving for active people and just high enough in carbs at 18 grams to stick to the ribs. The eggs, well whisked, help keep this dish light. I use turkey sausage, but you can use your choice of sausage or even diced ham if you prefer. Precooked sausage crumbles speeds up preparation. In a time pinch, use frozen diced onions. The bell peppers add nutrition and color. Use any color. I had ... [Read More]
Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup
This hearty Cheesy Ham and Potato Soup is like a warm hug by the fire on a cold day. Loaded with potatoes, veggies and ham -- pure comfort food. It’s also quick and easy to prepare and is ready to eat in about half an hour. I buy ham after major holidays at a reduced price just for delicious treats like this throughout the year. I slice, dice and cube chunks of the ham and freeze them in quart sized zipper bags in 2 cup portions. It only takes a quick trip to the freezer when the mood strikes for a super hearty – omlet, casserole or whatever. An unexpected early – early – fall snow was the inspiration for this wonderful soup. Thaw the ham before cooking, either by setting it in the refrigerator overnight, putting it in a pan of hot water for a couple of hours, or a 1-2 minutes in ... [Read More]
Slow Cooker Southwestern Breakfast Casserole
Southwestern Breakfast Casserole made in the slow cooker is a great way to wake up in the morning. It's yummy enough -- and pretty enough -- to serve guests even when you've stayed up late the night before. I am always up around 3 in the morning so putting it in the crockpot to cook for 3 - 4 hours before breakfast is not a problem. Another alternative is to start it cooking before bed and program the slow cooker to keep it warm after cooking until needed. If you must, put the casserole in the slow cooker insert, cover and put it in the refrigerator, set your phone for the right time to allow for 4 hours cooking. When the alarm sounds slip down to the kitchen, put the insert in the crockpot, turn it on and head back to bed. It's worth it! You know I am not a spice fan -- but if ... [Read More]
Hot German Potato Salad
German potato salad is traditionally served hot -- perfect for the fall potluck. It usually has a hot vinegar dressing flavored with herbs and spices -- like this classic recipe served at a potluck luncheon at our house recently. Time tested and stamped approved!!! Start with boiled potatoes. The peel will slip off the boiled potatoes easily. You can rub off the peel by using a clean dish towel. Hold the potato with the towel in one hand and rub off the peeling with the other -- somewhat similar to drying a cup. Or hold the potato on a cutting board with a fork and gently tease off the peel with the tip of a knife. Stir the cooked potatoes into the dressing gently to avoid breaking them. I would also tip the skillet to make the dressing run to one side and spoon it over the ... [Read More]
Egg in ‘Tater — Cheesy Egg Stuffed Potato
Bytes has developed his own repertoire of recipes that are quick, easy and tasty. He offered to share some of them with you because we all can use a quick and easy dinner that is super yummy --- a meal that is quick to prepare and clean up and move on to the evening’s activity. Or in this particular case so I can keep caulking and painting and caulking and painting and caulking. . . . . . Here's another recipe in a (sort of random) series titled “Bytes Bites”. Actually it's a two-fer because you'll get two meals out of this -- really a win-win!!! Egg in ‘Tater — Cheesy Egg Stuffed Potato Print A meal in a baked potato shell topped with creamy, melty cheese -- plus a delicious fritata variation for the next day! Serves: 1 plus Ingredients 1 baking potato, scrubbed ... [Read More]