Millie Peartree Recipes

CLASSIC POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• Set the potatoes in a large pot; add 1 tablespoon salt and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Set over high heat and cook just until fork-tender, about 15 to 20 minutes. (You still want the potatoes to still have some shape to avoid turning the dish into mashed potatoes.) Drain potatoes, and set them aside to cool.
• As potatoes cool, make the dressing: To a large bowl, add mayonnaise, relish, mustard and granulated onion; whisk to combine.
• Add the potatoes to the dressing, along with the diced hard-boiled eggs, and celery, if using; stir gently to combine. Taste and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
• Chill for at least 2 hours, and up to overnight. Serve cold. Finish with a sprinkle of paprika. Potato salad will keep for 4 days in an airtight container.

CARAMELIZED BANANA PUDDING

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Add the half-and-half and egg yolks, and whisk to combine. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until thickened and pudding-like, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
• In a large saucepan or skillet over medium heat, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Add bananas, brown sugar, cinnamon and remaining 1 teaspoon vanilla. Cook, stirring frequently, until well combined, about 2 minutes.
• Layer half the vanilla wafers in a 9-by-13 baking or trifle dish. Top with half the caramelized bananas then half the pudding. Repeat procedure with remaining wafers, bananas and pudding. Chill for 4 to 6 hours, or up to overnight. Garnish with crumbled vanilla wafers and sprinkle with additional cinnamon before serving. Serve with unsweetened whipped cream, if using.

SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Prepare the filling: Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with butter and line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Poke the sweet potatoes all over with a fork and place on the baking sheet. Bake until soft, about 1 hour; let cool.
• When sweet potatoes are cool enough to handle, peel them using a knife, then add the flesh to a large bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment) and mash with a potato masher or fork.
• Add the 1/2 cup butter, eggs, condensed milk, granulated sugar, vanilla and salt to the bowl. Combine well with a hand mixer or a stand mixer on medium speed. Add the mixture to the prepared baking dish and, using a spatula, smooth out the top.
• Prepare the topping: In a medium bowl, stir together the pecans, cornflakes (if using), brown sugar, flour and butter until thoroughly combined. Spoon the topping evenly over the sweet potatoes.
• Bake the casserole until slightly browned, about 35 minutes. Remove the casserole from the oven and add the marshmallows in an even layer. Return to the oven and bake until marshmallows are toasty and melted, about 5 minutes. Let sit for 5 minutes before serving.

MACARONI SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook noodles until a little past al dente, then rinse under cold water and drain. Once the noodles are cool enough to handle with your hands, transfer them to a large bowl.
• Add the celery, bell pepper, carrots and onion to the cooled noodles; toss to combine.
• Prepare the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper.
• Pour dressing over the pasta mixture and toss until everything is well coated. Taste and season with more salt and pepper, if desired. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour before serving.