A couple of you had asked what we were going to make with the Southern Style hash browns I mentioned the other day. Here’s a recipe that comes with a story from MashupDad. Tell it, Mashup Dad! The above, by the way, is how the recipe looks if you kind of forget to turn the heat on the oven down after cooking something else. It’s not supposed to be this blackened-up on the top — but was still darn tasty! But not especially heart-healthy — this is a recipe for the holidays.

Back in the mid 90′s, a guy I worked with at SportsChannel owned a bar in Forest Park. On Fridays, you could buy homemade food for Lunch/Dinner: His mom’s pork chops and this AMAZING potato casserole. I’ve had my share of potato dishes (haven’t we all) but this was spectacular. It was one of this sides where it’s so good and the flavors blend so well you really can’t tell what it was made out of. So, I asked him for the recipe. He told me it was a family recipe and that he didn’t think his mom would give it to me, but he’d ask. Well, the answer was no. But every week when they had the potatoes at the bar, we’d all go there for them and I asked again, and again, and again… then eventually I let it go.

After a year of “leaving it alone” I asked again. The next day he came to work with a photocopy of the recipe, penned in the loving hand of his mom. I couldn’t believe it!  I was sworn to secrecy. I was told “This was a family recipe that had been in the family forever and was the anchor of every important holiday meal the family had and I was the only person outside of the family to ever get it”!!

OK..  I can keep a secret.

So for years after that, I made the casserole for every family occasion.  When we decided who was going to bring what to a family get-together, unanimously, everyone wanted me to bring that dish.  Also, I was true to my word and NEVER, NEVER gave the recipe to anyone.  Instead I’d regale them with the tale of my badgering the recipe from the guy at work and how it was a HUGE family secret and “sorry, I can’t betray that trust”.  Don’t ya just hate “that guy.”

Then, a few years ago, I was getting ready to make the secret potato casserole of the gods. I looked at the side of a package of Southern Style Hash Browns (I am NOT saying that this is an ingredient in Mrs. Storto’s potatoes – I was just looking at the bag, OK!) Under the plain, unassuming heading of “Potato Casserole” I saw a very… very.. VERY.. familiar recipe, which I have included below.

But, for the record, I am NOT giving you Mrs. S’s potato recipe. This is the recipe from the bag of hash browns.

NOT Mrs. S’s Super Secret baked potato casserole

Ingredients

2 lb bag frozen hash brown potatoes, southern style, thawed
3/4 C melted butter
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
dash of garlic salt
1/2 C chopped onion
1 can cream of chicken soup
16 oz sour cream
2 1/2 C grated cheddar cheese
1 6 oz can French’s fried onions.

Directions

Mix above ingredients all together, aside from French’s fried onions. Pour into greased casserole dish. Sprinkle top with 2 cups crushed cornflakes or one 6 oz can French’s fried onions.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45-60 minutes.

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