Kathys Potatoes Recipes

AUNT KATHY'S OLD-FASHIONED POTATO DONUTS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Beat sugar and shortening together in a bowl using an electric mixer until creamy. Add milk, eggs, and vanilla extract; stir well. Stir in mashed potatoes. Add flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Stir using a sturdy spoon, as mixture will be thick. Refrigerate dough for 1 hour so that dough will be less sticky and easier to work with.
• Lightly flour a countertop and place plastic wrap on top of dough; roll out to desired thickness. Cut into strips or use a donut cutter to make traditional round donuts.
• Lower donuts carefully into the hot oil in batches. Fry until 1 side is golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn and continue frying until other side is golden, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining donuts.
• Transfer donuts to a wire rack to cool.

KATHY'S POTATO DUMPLINGS (KARTOFFELKLOSSE)

Steps:

• Scrub and rinse the potatoes well and place in a large saucepan of cold water. Bring the unpeeled potatoes to the boil, add some salt and simmer the potatoes for 35-40 minutes or until just tender.
• Drain the potatoes and cool them slightly for easy handling. You should be able to peel the skins away from the flesh of the potatoes with your bare hands.
• Once all the potatoes are peeled, cut them into even-sized pieces and refrigerate until cold (up to overnight).
• Mash the potatoes in a large bowl. Mix in the salt and freshly grated nutmeg. Add half a cup of flour and mix to combine. With your hands knead the mixture in the bowl until a smooth soft dough forms, add more flour by the tablespoon if the dough remains sticky. Finally, add the beaten egg to the mixture.
• Using 1/4 cup of dough, form the mixture into balls. Insert a crouton, (or prune) into each dumpling. Sealing the filling closed around the dumpling.
• In a large saucepan of salted simmering water (not boiling), carefully place the dumplings into the water in batches of 4-5. Do not overcrowd them where they may stick together or touch during cooking, which may cause them to fall apart. Cook the dumplings until the dumplings rise to the surface, about 10-14 minutes.
• In a wide bowl, add melted butter. Remove dumplings with a slotted spoon or strainer. Shake gently to drain, then toss gently in a bowl of melted butter. Cover with lid and keep warm while cooking the remaining dumplings and add them to the butter as well. Sprinkle entire batch with bread crumbs (if desired) and serve.

KATHY'S DUCHESS POTATO PUFFS WITH CHEESE

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients well. Cover and refrigerate for at least a few hours (up to 2 days). Note: if using leftover mashed potatoes, do this the evening you make them fresh, and then refrigerate the mixture.
• Preheat oven to 375°F Using a piping bag with a large decorative tip (or cut the tip from the bottom of a Ziploc bag), pipe approximately 1/4 cup each of the mixture onto a parchment lined baking sheet 1 inch apart.
• Spray rosettes with non-stick cooking spray and sprinkle with a bit more paprika. Bake for 18-20 minutes or until heated through.

KATHY'S MUSHY POTATOES

Steps:

• Add the peeled and sliced potatoes to a large skillet and add the water. Bring to boiling and stir the potatoes to prevent sticking until fork tender. (I try to make them al dente like pasta) You may have to add more water, play this by ear and just eyeball it. Once the potatoes are tender and most of the water has evaporated add the cream, salt and pepper and continue to heat until thickened and creamy. If you are adding cheese add it with the cream.
• ( sometimes it is necessary to add more cream if the potatoes look dry -- remember they are supposed to be creamy and 'mushy').
• Hope you like these as much as we do.

KATHY'S SCALLOPED POTATOES WITH HAM

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• In a saucepan, melt butter.
• Stir in flour, parsley, salt, thyme, and pepper.
• Gradually add all of the milk (3C+2T); bring to a boil.
• Cook and stir for 2 minutes; set pan aside.
• Combine in a large bowl the potatoes, ham, and onion; place half in a greased 2 1/2 quart baking dish.
• Top with half of the sauce; put in rest of potato mixture; and then put in last half of the sauce.
• Cover and bake at 375 degrees for 65 to 75 minutes or until potatoes are almost tender.
• Bake uncovered, 15-20 minutes longer, or until potatoes are fully cooked.
• If you need to have an oven at 325 degrees b/c of the rest of the meal, cook 2 hours covered and then 15 minutes uncovered.