Tasty Potato Side Dishes

Potatoes have gotten a bad rap as being fattening so it’s time quit blaming the poor potato and put the full blame on the goodies we heap on our semi-bland potato to make it tastier or the way we like them deep fried. Adding a tasty potato side dish to a dinner once a week is a nice change from plain boiled potatoes and the recipes below are easy to make.

Tons of potatoes are peeled, sliced and then immersed in hot lard or oil for those tasty french fries we are so fond of... just a bit fattening? Bad for the waist, heart and body in general. The average American eats about 29 lbs. of french fries in one year and continue to ignore any warnings on what this will do their body and prefer to "hide their heads in the sand".

Potatoes are good, they are fat free, cholesterol free, sodium free and saturated fat free and are a very good source of vitamin C, a good source of vitamin B6, copper, potassium, manganese, and dietary fiber. A baked potato is a healthy low calorie and high fiber food that provides protection against cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Yes, a potato can be fattening depending on how its prepared and the ingredients used. If you only eat potatoes once or twice a week you shouldn't have a problem and can splurge on one of the recipes below. Their easy to fix and very tasty!

Idaho Potatoes
Potassium mg/% Daily Value
Potato 620 mg/18%
Banana 400 mg/11%
Onion 240 mg/7%
Apple 170 mg/5%

Vitamin C % Daily Value
Potato 620 mg/45%
Banana 400 mg/15%
Onion 240 mg/20%
Apple 170 mg/8%

Hot Dill Potato Salad
Serving Size: 4

4 large potatoes, cooked & sliced
1 tablespoon butter or margarine
1 tablespoon flour
1 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon dill
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoon onion, minced or finely chopped

Melt butter over low heat, stir in flour, salt and dill. Slowly stir in milk and continue to stir until thickened and starting to bubble. Mix in onion and mayonnaise. Gently fold in potatoes. Spoon into serving dish, sprinkle with paprika and serve immediately.

Auntie D’s Scalloped Potatoes
Serves 4-6

1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1 shallot, minced
1 teaspoon salt
5-6 medium Russet potatoes or Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and sliced thin
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, finely grated (or to taste)
Parmesan cheese, grated for the top

Lightly butter a 9” x 13” casserole dish. Layer 1/3 of the potatoes on the bottom, sprinkle with half the shallots, half the salt and half of the Parmesan cheese. Repeat this layer. Place the remaining potatoes on top and cover with the heavy cream. Cover and bake at 350 for 1 1/2 hours. Uncover and sprinkle with Parmesan and bake until lightly brown. Serves 4-6

Stuffed Potatoes

4 large Russet potatoes, baked* and cooled
2 tablespoons butter or margarine
2-3 green onion, sliced thinly
1/2-3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream
1 1/4 Cheddar cheese, grated

Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise. Scoop out inside leaving about an 1/8” wall and put scooped out potatoes in a large bowl.

Mash the potatoes and stir in the butter/margarine, onion, salt and sour cream. Gently mix with a large fork or spoon until fluffy and then fold in 3/4 cup Cheddar cheese. Don’t beat or you’ll make a gluey paste...

Spoon mixture into the potato shells. Cover each potato with remaining grated Cheddar cheese and place on baking or cookie sheet. Bake at 450 for 12-15 minutes or until hot and light brown.
*Don’t microwave for this because it will soften the skins too much.

Potatoes Romanoff
Serving Size: 3
Preparation Time: 50

4 medium potatoes
1 cup sour cream
2-3 green onions, sliced
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/4 cups Cheddar cheese, grated
1/2 dash pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon parsley, chopped

Cook potatoes, cool, peel and grate*. Gently combine with the sour cream, onions, salt, pepper, garlic and parsley, Fold in 3/4 cup of the Cheddar cheese and spoon into a buttered 1 1/2 qt. casserole dish. Sprinkle with remaining Cheddar cheese and bake uncovered at 350 for 30-40 minutes. *You can also finely dice them.

Enjoy potatoes! If your trying to lose or maintain your weight take it easy on the fries. Reduce the amounts of butter and/or sour cream on your potato or eat a smaller serving. You can use low-fat sour cream and low-fat Cheddar cheese instead of regular. You can use half & half instead of heavy cream in the scalloped potatoes, they just won't be as rich tasting.

The Hot Dill Potato Salad needs to be served when prepared but the other recipes can be made ahead and reheated.