Tuesday, January 9, 2024

Heritage Recipe: Evie Funke's Potatoes au Gratin With Ham



Evie Funke and her husband were elders in the first church I attended. It was the church that I was saved into way back in 1981. It was a little country church filled with salt-of-the-earth Christians. I have fond memories of those days, and my ideas of how church folk ought to relate to one another still stems from that time many many years ago.

During a difficult time of my college life, I lived with Evie and her husband for a few months. This was one of my favorite dishes she made.

Potatoes au Gratin

Ingredients:
thinly sliced white potatoes to fill 9 x 13 pan
ham chunks as desired
medium white sauce: 
  • 2 T butter
  • 4 c milk
  • 1/2 c flour
  • 1/2 lb Velveeta cubed
  • 1/2 c margarine
  • 2 t salt
Spray 13 X 9 pan with pan spray.  Fill pan with potatoes (and ham if desired). Make white sauce with cheese.

Melt butter of medium-low heat. Whisk in flour and salt. Cook over medium heat until smooth and bubbly. Stir constantly. Remove from heat, stir milk in gradually. Return to heat and bring to a boil stirring constantly with a whisk. Boil and stir one minute. Reduce heat to low, and add cheese. Stir until melted.

Pour over potatoes in pan. Cover loosely with foil.

Bake at 350° 1 1/2 hours - hours until bubbly, lightly browned, and potatoes are fork tender.

8 comments:

  1. OMGOSH-That sounds like wonderful comfort food to me. My hubby loves Velveeta! xo Diana

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    1. It's an old recipe Diana. I lived with Mrs. Funke and her husband for awhile when I was in college. That was 1983! I know it's older than that. Be blessed,Laura

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  2. I have a similar recipe that I cooked when our budget was so tiny and we had 4 teens at home.
    It is a delicious dish and reading your post makes me want to cook this soon.

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  3. This sounds like a wonderful comforting meal in one - one of my favorite ways to have a meal! Love your special memory attached to this dish. God's people are the best! Many blessings to you dear friend!

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    1. You're right, Marilyn. Salt of the earth!
      Hugs!
      Laura

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  4. Hi Laura! Thank you so much for stopping by my blog, that means the world. Your blog here is delightful and I love the story of Evie Funke, what a precious name! I too love those salt-of-the-earth kind of people, they are so precious and such a Gift. Really, the only kind of Christian right? : ) I understand exactly what you are saying.

    I responded back to your comment and I'm so sorry my reply was so late, I just saw your comment.

    God bless you Laura! ~Amelia

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    Replies
    1. No troubles. I'll be over to see it. Have a wonderful day.

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This life only works with Jesus. The next life is a continuation of this one—make sure you spend it with Jesus. Jesus is the only way to God the Father!

Laura Lane