On Sunday I made this potato dish for my cousin and her fella. It's from the great Biba Caggiano's A Taste Of Italy and was both easy to make and delicious. In her cookbook, she states that this is a favorite recipe of her family in Bologna because it can be made in advance. That's exactly what I did, making it the night before the dinner. You can find the recipe at the end of this post. I enjoyed eating this dish very much.
Last week the lovely Rosa at Rosa's Yummy Yums tagged me for a 5 Things You Don't Know About Me Meme. Thank you Rosa! Here it is.
1.) I have a annoying condition in my left eye called vitreous detachment which makes it difficult to see clearly at times. It's not serious, but it causes problems for me several times a month. It's the reason that comments I leave on other blogs can be full of typos. So, if I leave a comment on your blog that looks odd, just tell yourself--"Sher's having a bad day with her left eye."
2.) I love old movies and have a huge crush on Gary Cooper and Robert Redford. But, my biggest crush is Cary Grant. I can't even count the number of times I've seen North By Northwest, To Catch A Thief, Bringing Up Baby, and His Girl Friday. Honorable mention: Fred Astaire.
3.) As to actresses, I also like watching older films, probably because the parts written then for women were more than just "the girl" or "the wife." I have a copy of the film Gloria with Gena Rowlands (forget about that crappy remake with Sharon Stone). Whenever I want to perk myself up, I watch it just to see the scene where Gloria saves little Phil and threatens the mobsters with a gun yelling, "Sissies! You let a woman beat you, huh? You little tiny nothings. You punk!" I feel invigorated just writing about it!
4.) I studied violin and ballet when I was a kid. We were poor and I don't know how my parents were able to afford that. I recently gave my violin, which I've had since I was 7 years old, to Nancy's daughter, Elizabeth, who is a very good violinist. That was a nice feeling.
5.) I adore potato chips and Cheetos, but only eat them twice a year because I have no control once they enter my mouth. I'll consume the whole bag--no matter how big it is. So, I always walk very quickly by the snack aisle, trying not to make eye contact with certain brands of chips that whisper to me as I pass by. I let myself buy one bag of them twice a year, and it's a big deal when I do that. I scan the choices and invariably I have a bag of Yukon Gold Chips cooked in olive oil in the winter, and a bag of crunchy style Cheetos in the spring. I don't like distractions as I eat them. I don't want people talking to me and ruining the whole experience. After-all, I only get to do this twice a year, so don't bug me!!
Now, if you feel the urge to confess--let's hear about you!
Potatoes Baked With Parmigiano (Biba Caggiano, A Taste Of Italy)
6 large boiling potatoes (about 5 pounds)
small pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
3/4 cup milk or cream
salt to taste
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
2 to 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
Put potatoes in large pan and cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook until they are tender, but still show resistance. Cool and peel, then slice into 1/4 inch rounds.
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a dish and layer the potoatoes into it, overlaping them. (You can cover them at this poinbt and place in the fridge the day before baking them). Mix the nutmeg in the milk/cream and pour over the potatoes. Season with salt and sprinkle the cheese on top. Dot with the butter.
Cook in the oven in the middle rack until it the cheese is melted and the dish has browned to your satisfaction. Should take about 20 minutes. Serve hot or at room temperature.
I have retinal lattice degeneration, which means I have fun with floaters. Stupid eye jelly!!
Mmm, spuds 'n' cheese!
Posted by: s'kat | February 20, 2007 at 12:49 PM
s'kat,
Oh yeah--the floaters! I get huge ones that float around and feel like there's cellophane inside my eye. It's ever so much fun! Not!
Posted by: sher | February 20, 2007 at 01:01 PM
I have very little control with chips as well :( Sucks because I do love 'em
Posted by: Jeff | February 20, 2007 at 01:19 PM
Sher,
I'm making these potatoes tomorrow for lunch - they look so yummy!
Oh, and for the record, I had a huge crush for R. Redford when I saw "This Property Is Condemned" and things only got worse for me after "Barefoot in the Park" ;)
Posted by: Patricia Scarpin | February 20, 2007 at 01:40 PM
this potatoe dish looks wonderful and it will be made soon. Thanks!
Posted by: doodles | February 20, 2007 at 02:52 PM
oh yeah Cary Grant always and forever!!! Wore out 2 VHS tapes of An Affair to Remember and now have it on DVD.
Posted by: doodles | February 20, 2007 at 02:55 PM
Have you ever had the healthy Cheetos version- Barbara's brand cheddar and jalapeno flavored? It's like cheetos but no bad oils and it has that kick-absolutely addictive and did I mention full of Vitamin C and fiber too?
Posted by: Callipygia | February 20, 2007 at 03:37 PM
Homer Simpson drooooool. I love potatoes and especially once baked with cheese and milk. They just seem to go together perfectly.
Posted by: Glenna | February 20, 2007 at 04:59 PM
Cary Grant: Yes, yes, yes! I like all the movies on your list of movies but I think my favorite of his movies is The Philadelphia Story.
The potatoes look both crisp and creamy which is such a great combination. Delicious!
Posted by: Julie | February 20, 2007 at 05:51 PM
Lovely post. Know more about you. :D Not to mention that the potatoes look great!
Posted by: Anh | February 20, 2007 at 06:04 PM
The potatoes look divine.
I've loved Cary Grant since I was in grade school. And that was a really long ago.
I should try to follow your lead and limit myself to twice a year! Boy can I relate to no interruptions.
Posted by: Tanna | February 20, 2007 at 07:59 PM
Hi Sherry - Wonderful post! And those potatoes bring on a major carb craving....
Posted by: Kirk | February 20, 2007 at 10:00 PM
love your list, i'm righ there with you on the cheetos. i have to eat the whole bag too. those and pringles. it's been a long time since my last orange finger incident :(
i bet those potato's are *wonderful*!
Posted by: aria | February 20, 2007 at 10:15 PM
The potatoes look yummy and the meme was lots of fun! I can't stop eating Cheetoes when I start. Luckily we can't get them here so I only eat them when we visit my husbands family!
Posted by: Freya | February 21, 2007 at 12:11 AM
That is TOO funny about the chips but I totally understand. I normally skip that aisle in the grocer's because I tend to have NO self control.
Posted by: Kate | February 21, 2007 at 07:04 AM
Jeff,
I so love them too! I think they are a gift from the gods--to test us!
Patricia,
Oh, I hope the potatoes pleased you!
Ah yes, I actually have copies of both of those Redford films. That's how much I like him!!
Doodles,
Love your name! :) I love that Cary Grant film too! He was so elegant.
Callipygia,
Healthy Cheetos!!!! I don't know if my body could wrap itself around that concept! :):) Well, I will look for them. Maybe I'll have a taste test: I'll get the healthy ones and some Cheetos and I'll eat both and compare.........
Thanks, I'm getting very excited about this!!!!! :)
Glenna,
Yes, these potatoes are drool worthy. Bob ate all of them, no leftovers.
Julie,
Oh yes, How could I have left out The Philadelphia Story? I love the scene at the beginning of the film where he pushes Hepburn down! Holiday was great too!
Anh,
Thank you. These kinds of memes are fun!
Tanna,
Pringles!!! I love those too. And I haven't had Screaming Yellow Zonkers for years--but I still lust after them.
Kirk,
Thanks! Those carb cravings can be severe....... :)
Aria,
Yes, I love the orange fingers. It's fun to lick my fingers as I eat the Cheetos. Gee, I'm getting a Pringle craving now.
Freya,
Oh no!! A Cheetos free world? Well, I bet you really enjoy them when you get them. :):) Actually, if there weren't Cheetos in the store, I would be able to do my grocery shopping a lot easier. :)
Kate,
It can be torture for me to walk down the snack aisle. And for some reason they put all the snacks in an aisle that I have to use to get things my husband likes--microwave popcorn and dried fruit!
Posted by: sher | February 22, 2007 at 12:27 AM
Oh, those potatoes look heavenly! I love that kind of dish (a bit like Gratin Dauphinois, but not quite though)...
Thanks for doing the meme and letting us know more about yourself!
Posted by: Rosa | February 22, 2007 at 07:16 AM
Have you tried baked cheetos?? Ick. Just not the same! I am not a huge chip fan but every so often (like once a year) i'll go grab a bag of Cheeto Puffs! Yum.
Posted by: Jennifer | February 22, 2007 at 01:16 PM
Sher - I practiced similar ritualistic eating with fudge from Eagle River, Wisconsin. Only purchased at the end of the summer before I had to go back to school. Your reference to smoked fish from Door County the other day had me missing cherry season.
Posted by: e | February 22, 2007 at 04:11 PM
I grinned when you said didn't like distraction when you snacked; I'm the same :D Chips, you devil!
Thanks for this great potato recipe, I know I'll love it :)
Posted by: gattina | February 23, 2007 at 02:31 AM
I love the potato recipe! I made gnocci one night...believe me, it took forever. Got it from Biba's Italy as well.
I have eye crud too but the doc says I'm fine. Hmmm.
My evil snack is doritos with rotel and cheese dip and I eat it during the superbowl.
Posted by: Melly53 | February 23, 2007 at 09:30 AM
I'm right there with you on Cary Grant and greasy cheesy Cheetos; btw, Cary Grant and Cheetos sound really weird in the same sentence, but what can we do: this is life!
Posted by: burcu | February 25, 2007 at 05:28 PM
You did Ina Garten proud with your double chocolate cake, and you did yourself proud applying the frosting! It looks professional. Your blog is fun to read, and I like the title. Happy cooking and baking!
Posted by: Anne | August 27, 2007 at 05:23 AM