Lori’s Mashed Casserole Potatoes – 101 Cookbook

These Mashed Pan Potatoes had been impressed by a weekend journey to the backwoods of Mendocino County, California. Let me emphasize that after I say backwoods, I am not kidding. Think about – a high-clearance 4×4 is a should for a number of miles from the closest paved street. A number of cleverly put in hydroponic hippie buses (these previous buses are clearly to die for). Past automobile chases and fang-toothed guard canines, lastly to the riverside sanctuary that’s my good friend Lori Narlock’s home.

Earlier than I am going into element about my weekend, let me say (feeling just a little responsible) that I did not elevate a finger the complete weekend – Laurie cooked up a six-woman cabin and cooked up scrumptious meal after meal. At this time I will share her Shredded Pan Potatoes recipe. First, they had been scrumptious. Second, to point out how considering, expertise, and preparation result in scrumptious meals, even in an agricultural setting.

How luxurious it’s possible you’ll ask? I saved asking myself this very query whereas packing. I had a number of clues primarily based on a pre-trip electronic mail, together with bits of data like this:

“The room could be very luxurious. There are two bedrooms with one mattress every in the lounge after which two bedrooms with one mattress every…. No actual electrical energy. We principally learn books, play scrabble, drink loads of beer and wine. Gab a day , a lamp.”

After which:

“Carry shoe stoppers or different slips for nighttime use if wanted
rise up and use the bathroom – once in a while some creepy crawlies come out.”

Later I came upon that creepy crawlies = scorpions. Lori’s sister Lisa additionally mentioned the next.

“I will add that this is not a Tahoe cabin, and I will go away your favourite white slippers at residence, because the slippers and different stuff you put on within the cabin can get fairly soiled.”

So, in case your creativeness tends to wander like mine, I used to be making ready for my weekend huddled within the rain, within the shed (moon by the roof tiles, spiders by the floorboards) and range. A Kaczynski-style shelter. One thing alongside the strains of an overgrown outhouse. I used to be completely prepared for it. I imply, there is not any tent concerned, so that will be an enchancment for me anyway. You possibly can think about my shock (and delight!) after I walked in right here….

This cabin sits on a big piece of land that has been owned by the Narlock household for generations. The cabin was hand constructed and many love poured into it. Household pictures line the partitions, in addition to artifacts donated by numerous members of the family. With a wooden burning hearth, the sound of the river within the background, and an oven, that is simply the place so that you can really feel cozy! Do you consider in an attractive oven?

Lori has put this household treasure to good use over the weekend, however earlier than I get into that, let me backtrack a bit – and it is nice to have a meals author host. I am certain lots of you might be conversant in Lori’s work A foodie’s companion in Napa Valley, A Wine Lover’s Information to Wine Nation, Smoothie, Niman Ranch Cookbook and Cocktail meals. She is wonderful and proficient in each approach. Watching him cook dinner in his cabin (no electrical energy, water that takes an hour to boil) was wonderful and gave me concepts for future “rustic/tenting” cooking/preparation….how and what he ready earlier than getting into the cabin because of being very good about

Mashed Pan Potatoes

Lori’s meals was coming collectively and sweat was dripping from her brow (or at the very least she made it look that approach). So I began asking him about his cabin cooking tips. The mashed potatoes within the pan had been an amazing instance. He pre-boiled the potatoes and introduced them like this – Within the morning, simply earlier than breakfast, he smashed them in a big pan with just a little olive oil and salt – in a couple of minutes they had been crispy, brown on the surface and scorching on the within. , and the right complement to the frittata tossed with it.

I even have to say the pasta I had for dinner that evening – approach an excessive amount of garlic (in a great way), tons of shredded zucchini, and shredded cheese. He boiled the noodles the evening earlier than we checked into the cabin. Are you aware what number of instances you’ve got struggled to boil pasta on the stovetop? So many. Her noodles had been scrumptious – the noodles weren’t thick or sticky in any respect. Lori had these sorts of nice shortcuts that by no means obtained in the way in which of the ultimate dish.

So, this is how he made shredded potatoes within the pan. Think about all of the issues you can drizzle or sprinkle on them. Thanks for the recipe Lori and an amazing weekend! Anytime I will sleep with a scorpion…