It would be hard to find a potluck or dutch oven gathering that did not include some form of a cheesy, layered potato dish on the table. There are many great potato recipes out there made for dutch oven cooking. They make the perfect side dish for just about anything and can easily and cheaply feed a crowd. I ran across this Mexican Potato and Corn Casserole in my copy of Aunt Bee's Mayberry Cookbook. Not only did I have all the ingredients on hand but I thought the corn and chilies added a new twist. Slice the potatoes as thinly as you can to help them cook faster. Make them in your 10 inch dutch oven with 10 coals around the base and cover the lid, with 20-24 more. Once I put the potatoes on the coals I left them alone for 50 minutes then sprinkled on the cheese and scallions. At camp or at home, this could become your new standby potato recipe, it's pretty darned delicious. And as Aunt Bee would say, "Don't be late for suppa!".
Mayberry's Mexican Potato and Corn Casserole
2 lb. potatoes (4 or 5 large potatoes), peeled & sliced
Salt & pepper to taste
4 ears fresh corn, cut off the cob or 2 c. frozen or canned corn
1 (4 oz.) can green chilies, chopped
2 Tbsp butter
2 cups buttermilk
2 Tbsp chopped chives or scallions
2 cups grated Monteray Jack and or Cheddar cheese
Lightly oil or spray a 10 inch dutch oven.
Arrange half of the potato slices in the oven. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with half of the corn and half of the chilies. Dot with butter. Repeat the layers. Pour the buttermilk over all.
Bake at 375 degrees for 50 minutes or until potatoes are tender. Top with cheese and scallions or chives and cover. Cook 5-10 more minutes or until cheese has melted. Serves 8.
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Layers of potatoes, chilies, corn and butter 
Cover and cook for 5 more minutes to melt the cheese
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Tonight was a two-fer... I cooked the Easy Pleasing Meatloaf as the main course (review on that page)and for my side dish Mayberry's Mexican Potato and Corn Casserole. The meatloaf was great, but somehow I messed the casserole up. It came out runny/liquidy. The only thing I can figure is that I used low-fat buttermilk. (I didn't realize it was low fat until after I had used it.) Maybe there's something in the properties of low-fat vs regular-fat buttermilk. The other big difference was I used a 12" oven instead of a 10". I'm finding that if you use a 10" oven with 10 coals under it's not the same to use 10 coals under a 12". (Use 12.) Also need to add 4 or 5 coals more to the lid of a 12 versus a 10.
ReplyDeleteI may try this recipe one more time.--K.C.
K.C., I think most of the buttermilk that is sold today is the low fat variety, maybe by adding a little cream would help thicken it. I don't remember this being all that runny but it is lighter than some of the creamier potatoes au gratin recipes. If you use a larger oven you do need to add more coals, I usually place 12 in a ring around the bottom and of course more on the top so it sounds like you are getting the feel for temperature control. Thanks for your input and keep up the dutch oven cooking! Liddy
ReplyDeleteTried this recipe along side the green chili smothered chicken. Turned out wonderful! Thanks, Liddy!
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