Give your kids potatoes to cut into "rubber stamps". Cut pumpkin shapes for Halloween. The kids cut stars, angels, trees, etc. for the holidays. Hearts at Valentines day are a hit. Using the potato stamp shapes and appropriate paints and inks, the kids make cards, decorate t-shirts, print wrapping paper.
If soup is too salty add a potato cut in half. It will absorb a lot of the extra salt. You can pull it out before serving and you have a wonderful masterpiece.
"Slow Cooker" Farmer's Market Idaho® Potato Casserole
Yield: 14 servings (3/4 cup per serving)Ingredients
- 2 cups chopped onions
- 2 cups chopped red bell peppers
- 4 pounds Idaho® potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 cup chopped zucchini
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1 cup water
- 1/4 cup fat free milk
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 7-ounce package reduced fat shredded Mexican-style four cheese blend (about 1 3/4 cups total)
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 teaspoons salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Directions
- Coat a 6-quart slow cooker with cooking spray. Add potatoes, zucchini and thyme.
- Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray, place over medium high heat until hot. Add the onions, coat with cooking spray; cook 4 minutes or until translucent, stirring frequently. Add the bell peppers to the onions in the skillet, coat with cooking spray, cook 4 minutes or until onions are brown on edges, stirring frequently.
- Pour the water into the skillet and stir until well blended and beginning to boil. Pour onion mixture evenly over the potatoes. Do not stir. Cover and cook on high setting 3 1/2 hours or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Combine the milk and cornstarch in a small bowl; stir until cornstarch is completely dissolved. Gently stir into the potato mixture with 1 cup of the cheese, the butter, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on high setting 10 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Spoon the potato mixture into a large pasta bowl or 13-inch by 9-inch casserole dish. Sprinkle with the remaining 3/4 cup cheese.
