‘Girl Meets Farm’: Fall in Love With Molly Yeh’s Creamy, Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes
Girl Meets Farm star Molly Yeh loves to prepare dishes that stay true to her midwestern town. Upon moving to East Grand Forks, Minnesota, she learned to love the hearty, stick to your ribs meals husband Nick Hagen grew up on. The Food Network star has modified many of her recipes to showcase her love for non-traditional ingredients. However, with Molly Yeh’s scalloped potatoes recipe, she Yeh sticks to the wholesome and hearty version of the beloved casserole that’s perfect as the weather grows cooler.
Yeh realized the importance of casseroles after moving to a farm
In her book Molly on the Farm, Yeh wrote that before moving to Minnesota, she did not love foods that were creamy or contained creamed items. She said she wondered if continuing her family’s practice of denying the existence of creamy foods meant that Yeh would deny her husband the comfort foods of his childhood.
“Hotdish is a common thing to bring to either a potluck or a friend who just had a baby,” Yeh wrote.
A casserole refers to dishes such as macaroni and cheese or creamed corn.
However, a hotdish includes the ingredients of some type of creamed soup, meat, vegetables, and starch.
Hagen’s relatives have shared recipes their beloved midwestern favorites with Yeh. These include cookie salad and something called Velveeta fudge hotdish, reported Minnesota Monthly.
Molly Yeh’s scalloped potatoes are a casserole filled with love
This casserole can be made as a side or a main dish.
The ingredients include potatoes, butter, flour, milk, nutmeg, salt, black pepper, Gruyere cheese, ham, and chives.
After preheating the oven to 350 degrees, melt butter in a large saucepan. Then add flour and milk to make a roux. This mixture will thicken and create a basic white sauce.
Nutmeg is next, followed by salt, pepper, and half of the cheese. Cook until cheese is melted over low heat.
To assemble the potato dish, use a cast-iron skillet or a baking dish. Grease well.
Place half the potatoes on the bottom, followed by salt, cheesy cream sauce, diced ham, and chives. Repeat, making two layers.
Top with remaining cream sauce, shredded cheese, and chives.
Cover and bake for 45 minutes, then uncover and bake until browned on top.
The full recipe is available on the Food Network website.
Girl Meets Farm airs Sundays at 11 a.m. EST on the Food Network.
