Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

I don't make New Year's Resolutions anymore, but there are some things I'd like to do differently this year. One is to use fewer pre-packaged things. Here is a recipe that tastes ten time better than using the packaged variety.

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham

1 onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 T. butter

2 T. flour

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 1/4 c. milk (may need more)

Paprika

3-4 medium potatoes

1-2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

2 c. cubed ham (this is optional)

First, grease a casserole dish and set aside. Peel and slice potatoes super thinly. Put in a bowl of cold water.

In a small saucepan, cook onion and garlic in butter until tender. Stir in flour and pepper. Add milk and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Add cheese and stir until melted. This is like a game. If it is too thick, add more milk, if not, add more cheese. Add some paprika and stir.

Drain the potatoes and layer half in the dish.

Pour over half of the cheese sauce and then top with the ham.

Layer the rest of the potatoes and sauce, then cover tightly with foil. Bake at 350 for 40 minutes. Remove foil and bake for 3o more minutes or until potatoes are tender. Mine seemed to take forever. I love the burnt cheese around the edges. Mmmm.