Monday 27 February 2012

Schwartzies Hash Browns



Ah, the caker potluck. Is there anything more rewarding than getting invited to someone’s house for dinner and having to provide the food? Consider yourself lucky if your caker host even washes your dish at the end of the night. (Most of us just give a half-hearted rinse before sending you on your way.)

I have no clue who or what a “Schwartzie” is, but these hash browns have been a fixture at caker potlucks since the invention of the can opener. (True story – when I told my mom I was making them, she asked, “Are you going to someone’s house for dinner?”)

Be warned: this is comfort food at its finest. You may want to keep it for yourself.

2 pounds frozen hash browns (see note 1)
¼ cup sour cream
2 cups cream of mushroom soup (see note 2)
Salt and pepper
½ cup melted butter or margarine
1 diced onion
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
Parmesan cheese

Heat oven to 350°. Thaw potatoes slightly for easier mixing. Mix all ingredients, except Parmesan cheese, in a 9"x13” dish. Sprinkle Parmesan on top. Bake for 1-1 ½ hours.

Note 1: The bag I bought at the grocery store was just over two pounds.

Note 2: I just threw both cans in.



Source: St. Mary’s C.W.L. Grafton Cookbook

13 comments:

  1. If you made this for me - I basically would just quit my job and follow you around forever. Cheesy potatoes are the way to my heart.

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  2. Among my people, this is known as Funeral Potaoes. Because you eat them at the family dinner after the funeral. They are still called Funeral Potatoes if you are just at home and no one has died.

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  3. Mmm, another Caker Win for Brian. Those look really good. I'm digging the baking dish as well.

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  4. This is my 87 year old grandma's signature dish for any family get together. I think there'd be a mutiny from the grandchildren if she didn't bring it. It's served at every family get together no matter what else is on the menu.

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  5. Mimi, it's time to turn in your resignation. I'm outside your door right now with a batch! BTW, there's a WW-friendly version. You can make it with low fat soup, low fat sour cream and low fat cheese. As far as the butter, well....three out of four ain't bad, right?

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    Replies
    1. Have made this version in the past. It's not bad...

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  6. Jana, someone asked me the other day if I'd ever heard of Funeral Pie. I hadn't. Turns out it's raisin pie. Hmm...I wonder what other funeral dishes are out there. Anyone have others? Maybe we need to start a Funeral Food blog. Although that seems kind of depressing.

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    Replies
    1. funeral sandwiches, of course - ham (or bologna) salad on white bread, cut in quarters.

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    2. Don't forget the mayo and iceberg lettuce!

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  7. Veg-o-matic, these are delicious. For real. If you don't want to be stuck with an entire batch, you can mix them up, freeze half and bake the other. That's what I did. The baking dish in the photo is a vintage Pyrex butterprint. I have the whole set. Yes, I need to get a life.

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  8. Bluefunk, your grandma sounds like good people to me. I hope I'm still eating these hash browns when I'm 87.

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  9. Nothing that involves cheese and pie can be too depressing.

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  10. Jana, I think that statement deserves its own bumper sticker.

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