Scalloped Potatoes (Christmas in July)

Sometimes during the dog days of Summer, one just needs a little pick-me-up to make it through another week.  A small reminder of the cooler weather to come in the not-so-far off distance.  Don’t get me wrong, walks in the sun, playing in the pool with the fam, and grilled food are such joys, but sometimes it’s fun to spice things up a little bit with a ‘Christmas in July’.  Okay, well, we didn’t do the gifts and tree and such, but we did do the dinner.  Honeybaked ham, green beans, and deliciously ooey-gooey scalloped potatoes.  There’s only one potato preparation that can top scalloped potatoes in my mind, and that’s mashed potatoes, but when enjoying a ham, in my opinion, the potatoes most definitely must be of the scalloped variety.  The only ingredient that I altered in the recipe below from the recipe that I use at Christmas-time, is the substitution of parmesan cheese for gruyere.   After all, some things are sacred, and only the true Christmas dinner deserves the gruyere splurge.

The wonderful thing about ham besides the fact that it’s, well, yummy ham, is that later this week, I know we will be enjoying New Year’s Day in July with a big bowl of split pea soup made with that beautiful ham bone. 

Merry Christmas everyone (and next week if my life gives me time to blog) it will be Happy New Year)!

 

Ingredients & Instructions

2-3 Lbs. Yukon Gold Potaotes (thinly sliced using a mandolin or very handy husband)
1 ½ C. Heavy Cream
2 Large Garlic Cloves (minced)
1 Bay Leaf
5-6 Sprigs of fresh Thyme (tied)
1/4 tsp. Nutmeg
2 C. Parmesan or Gruyere Cheese
Approximately ¼ C. Chopped Scallions
Salt & Pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

Place a small saucepan on medium heat and add heavy cream, garlic, rhyme, nutmeg, salt and pepper, and bay leaf to the pot.  Let simmer for about 20 minutes.  Remove bay leaf and thyme bundle and set cream aside.

Layer potatoes in a shallow 2 quart baking dish.  Top with ¼ of the heavy cream mixture, ¼ C cheese, and 1-2 Tbsp of Scallions.  Repeat this layering 3 more times and bake uncovered for 45 minutes.  Potatoes will be bubbling and delicious!!! 

Did I mention that these go great with ham?