Jim's Sauteed Garlic Potatoes i

Malware on my computer and a burst water pipe in ten degree weather has not made my day, but my Android and and some experience at being a handyman just might save the day. It seems like ages since my son Jim and I went camping. I remember it was definitely warmer. I also remember the fabulous garlic potatoes he cooked as part of his share of the cooking. They are sauteed in butter and olive oil rather than being boiled or baked. I really like the resulting texture and flavor. You really should give this a try. These were great over a campfire, and they'll be terrific at home. Even good enough for Thanksgiving! Just cut up a couple of cups of small red potatoes into chunks an inch or so in size. While you're at it, cut up a small onion and peel two or three cloves of garlic. Put a tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of butter in the bottom, of a saucepan and heat over medium temperature with the potatoes, onions and garlic. Add a half teaspoon of salt and a quarter teaspoon of pepper. Cover the pot with a lid and turn the heat to low. Uncover and stir frequently to keep from sticking. Add more butter and olive oil if necessary. The potatoes will saute nicely, and the moisture from the vegetables will help them to steam to perfection. When done, you can add a little cream and mash them, or serve them as is. These potatoes go great with steak, roast beef, salmon or ... Turkey! Oh, by the way. Sourdough bread is an appropriate side here as well. Thanks for visiting my blog. Hopefully I'll have my computer back up and running soon. I did take care of the leak in the basement.

 

Impossible Coconut Custard Pie

You don’t have to settle for a melted, messy candy bar if you discover you have a craving for something sweet and you’re all settled-in at your campsite. You can indulge that sweet tooth with a piece of coconut custard pie. What could be better?

Actually, the way this pie is made offers a real plus to campers that makes it even better. You don’t have to roll out a pie dough on the picnic table with a beverage container, or what have you. You don’t have to roll out a dough at all. This amazing pie does all that for you. It’s called the impossible pie for good reason. All you do is throw the ingredients into a bowl, beat them into a smooth batter and pour the contents into a greased and floured pan. Stick the pan into whatever you have to simulate a 350⁰ oven and bake it for about a half hour, or until you can stick a knife blade into it and the blade comes out clean. Believe it or not, the pie makes its own crust and custard filling.

The recipe below is intended for camping, and is appropriate for a pan about six inches in diameter, like the pan in a traditional Boy Scout mess kit. To grease and flour the pan, rub the sides and bottom with butter, place a spoonful of flour in the pan, then tip it and tap the edges while rotating the pan. The flour will coat the sides and bottom as you tap and rotate the pan. Dump out whatever is left over when you see the inside is coated. Hopefully, your camp cooking gear includes a short whisk, since you probably don’t have a hand mixer with you. I find a short whisk can be handy from time to time and doesn’t weigh much or take up much room. I suppose you could use a fork if you really did so vigorously, but I haven’t tried that yet. To make the batter come together readily, melt the butter before you add it to the other ingredients, but don’t pour it in while it’s hot.



Impossible Coconut Custard Pie

This can be a fun thing to throw together, and the resulting pie tastes really good. You should give it a try. Maybe you're already familiar with impossible pies. Let me know, and thanks for visiting my blog.

 

 Ingredients:

1 cup milk
½ cup shredded coconut
2 eggs
½ teaspoon vanilla
2 Tablespoons butter
¼ cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg.