Not Your Ordinary Scalloped Potatoes With Ham

Beautiful BC's Note:

I married a wonderful man of Ukrainian ancestry who frequently requests scalloped potatoes and ham. I like food with a bit of flavour and spice so find the usual recipes sort of bland. Decided if I had to make them, they were going to have to be kicked up a notch. So this is it - my version - hope you enjoy it. * if you don't like it as spicy, reduce the cayenne and chili pepper to 1/2 tsp each. Also, asiago or parmesan cheese can be used in place of the romano.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 50 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 1 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried ancho chile powder
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 cups whole milk
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 3 cups ham, cooked and cubed
• 1/2 large red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
• 1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chilies
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup romano cheese, grated
• 5 cups potatoes, pared & sliced 1/4 inch thick

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium heat; using a wooden sppon, blend in flour, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, chili pepper and garlic powder.
3. After blended, stir constantly for 1 further minute.
4. Remove from heat and graduallly stir in milk. Return to heat when mixed well and cook until it thickens. Add dry white wine, stir until thickened again.
5. Fold in onion, bell pepper, diced green chilis, minced jalapeno. Fold in Ham and cheeses. Mix well.
6. Place sliced potatoes in a large bowl and pour mixture over top. Stir gently then pour mixture into a greased 13x9 inch glass baking dish. Cover with foil.
7. Cook at 350°F for 30 minutes. Remove foil and continue to cook for a 1 hour.
8. Remove from oven and let stand 10 to 15 minutes before serving.

Reviews

[Colorado Lauralee]

This is a winner at our home!! Like nothing I've prepared previously, but it will be a staple here! Thanks for posting!

[Mustang Sally 54269]

We loved this dish. We don't like our food real goopy so I made a few adjustments... used less milk & more wine, increased the ham, peppers & potatoes. For the sauce I sub'd essence for the cayenne & used garlic salt. Added a dash (or 2 or 3...) of mild hot sauce for the added zing cayenne would normally give. I should have stuck to 1 dash cause it had abit too much heat for us but the flavour was amazing! Thanks so much for sharing.

[Chef Shadows]

I had hoped this would be very similar to a dish served at my oldest daughters wedding at the Sarrata resort in St Pete Beach, FL about 3- 4 years ago... it is not. The recipe is good and we will make again... I think we were just spoiled by the dish served there. We have been looking for the recipe ever since. Our true rating is 3.5 stars ( seems Zaar does not let you split stars ). Thanks for posting a keeper.