monday's meal

today i've decided to write about my dinner. 

once summer is truly over, my whole dinner menu changes. i start to think about casseroles, stews, homemade soups, chili's, things i like to call "one pot meals". comfort foods.

it's not really winter here yet.  today was cool and kind of gray.  we had a sprinkling of snow last week that lasted a couple of hours.  they are calling for cooler temperatures and perhaps some freezing rain/flurries tomorrow. 

today, my mind was on comfort foods from my childhood.  i am about to admit something.  something that is hard for me to admit.  I LOVE POTATOES.  yup, potatoes.  boiled potatoes, potato salad, baked potatoes, potato skins.  mashed potatoes, fried potatoes.  mmmm and scalloped potatoes.  i love scalloped potatoes.  probably a very un-D-friendly potato dish, if ever there was one.  butter, flour, potatoes, onions  all cooked with milk till bubbly and soft.

today i did something a little different.  i added hot dogs.  sounds a little weird right?  well when i googled "hot dog potato casserole", there were hundreds of recipes.  i read a few different ones.  basically they are all the same.  scalloped potatoes, with chopped/sliced hot dogs.  

here is my version of       HOT DOG POTATO CASSEROLE

• thinly slice about 5 potatoes and 1 onion.
• put in pan (i used a wok) and  add about 1inch of water.  bring to boil, and cook for about 5 minutes.  drain.
• melt 3 tbsp of butter in pot over med heat.  add 2 tbsp flour, about 1 tsp of paprika, salt and pepper.  stir constantly while adding 2cups milk.  stir until thick and smooth.
• put about 1/3 potato/onion mix in bottom of 2 quart casserole.   slice about 4 hotdogs in half lengthwise and lay on top of potato mixture.
• add more potato mixture and top with more hotdogs.
• top with remainder of potato and then pour milk mixture over top.
• cover with shredded cheddar cheese (about a cup) or whatever cheese you have on hand.  even cheese slices would do.
• bake for about 45min in 400' oven.
  you could add peas, or green beans, or mixed veggies. brocolli would be good too.

i don't have a clue as to how many carbs or calories are in this dish.  i had a fair sized bowl and swagged for 57gr of carbs.  BG before eating 6.4  BG 4hrs after eating 5.1 

i call that a success!!