Crispy Bacon Potatoes Au Gratin Food

CRISPY BACON POTATOES AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Cook potatoes in boiling water 20 min. or just until tender; drain. Return to pan; cover with cold water. Let stand until cooled.
• Melt butter in medium saucepan on medium heat. Add onions; cook and stir 2 min. Blend in flour, garlic powder and paprika; cook 1 min. Gradually stir in milk; cook 5 min. or until thickened, stirring constantly. Add 1-1/4 cups shredded cheese; cook and stir 1 min. or until melted. Stir in mustard.
• Heat oven to 375°F. Peel potatoes; cut into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Layer alternately with cheese sauce in 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray, ending with sauce.
• Bake 25 to 30 min. or until heated through. Top with remaining cheeses and bacon; bake 5 min. or until shredded cheese is melted.

CRISPY POTATOES AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375º.
• Arrange potatoes and 1 cup French fried onions in greased 13x9 dish.
• Combine half-and-half, ricotta, salt, garlic powder and pepper; whisk until well combined.
• Pour over potatoes; stir gently.
• Bake, uncovered, 50 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
• Sprinkle with cheddar cheese and remaining 1 cup onions.
• Bake 3 minutes or until cheese is melted and onions are golden.

CHEESY HASSELBACK POTATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 400 degrees. Combine cheeses in a large bowl. Transfer 1/3 of cheese mixture to a separate bowl and set aside. Add cream, garlic and thyme to cheese mixture. Season generously with salt and pepper. Add potato slices and toss with your hands until every slice is coated with cream mixture, making sure to separate any slices that are sticking together to get the cream mixture in between them.
• Grease a 2-quart casserole dish with butter. Pick up a handful of potatoes, organizing them into a neat stack, and lay them in the casserole dish with their edges aligned vertically. Continue placing potatoes in the dish, working around the perimeter and into the center until all the potatoes have been added. The potatoes should be very tightly packed. If necessary, slice an additional potato, coat with cream mixture, and add to casserole. Pour the excess cream/cheese mixture evenly over the potatoes until the mixture comes halfway up the sides of the casserole. You may not need all the excess liquid.
• Cover dish tightly with foil and transfer to the oven. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking until the top is pale golden brown, about 30 minutes longer. Carefully remove from oven, sprinkle with remaining cheese, and return to oven. Bake until deep golden brown and crisp on top, about 30 minutes longer. Remove from oven, let rest for a few minutes, and serve.