My love of potatoes knows no bounds. I’m especially fond of breakfast potatoes. This morning when I woke up and started rummaging around in the refrigerator for something to eat on this bright Sunday morning I was instantly drawn to last nights leftover casserole of scalloped potatoes, zucchini, red peppers and ham. “Eat me Erin! Eat me Erin,” it seemed to call from under its snug Press’n-Seal cover. I somehow managed to resist the cheesy temptation momentarily before I moved on to another, slightly more morning appropriate option. I decided to make sweetly spiced sweet potato latkes and bake them. Baking was the ultimate concession as yesterday morning I shamelessly coaxed CK into picking up a box of munchkins for us to snack on all day.

These latkes are thicker than the baked russet potato version that I made previously, and much more hash-brown like in consistency. Don’t forget to top them with your favorite condiments. I prefer sour cream, light of course — sticking with the whole donut guilt theme, but apple sauce or a fruity yogurt would also be a great addition.

Peel & Prep	Grate (the Easy Way)
Combine Potatoes & Spices	Drop by 1/3-Cupfuls
Flatten	Sweet Potato Latkes on Parade

Baked Sweet Potato Latkes (based on the recipe originally published in Women’s Health Magazine)
Makes 12 Latkes

2 pounds grated sweet potatoes
1 medium onion, grated
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg

Preheat oven to 400°F. Spray a cookie sheet with nonstick spray or use a silpat.

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Drop by 1/3-cupfuls onto cookie sheet. Flatten with spatula.

Bake for 25 minutes; flip and bake for an additional 15 minutes.

Serve with light sour cream and a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg.

Did you eat Miracle Whip when you were a kid? Because I did. A lot. I vividly recall having a conversation with my doctor at one point about what kind of sandwiches I liked to eat. My cute response of Miracle Whip and Cheese on White Bread really didn’t seem to impress him very much. Whatever. If I was eating something other than Kraft Dinner, my mom was happy. I was beyond picky as a child. We’re talking plain pizza, plain cheeseburgers, no ketchup, and definitely not nasty mayonnaise.

I was actually such a strong defender of Miracle Whip that when I was in college I got into a heated argument with someone I didn’t even know while out sailing with my cousin and some of her friends. This person claimed that mayonnaise and Miracle Whip tasted exactly the same. I begged to differ. Loudly. In my defense I was most likely sleep deprived, dehydrated, and probably drinking at the time so let that be a lesson to you all. Don’t mess with Erin and her food when she’s in a bad mood.

Until a few years ago I still used Miracle Whip in chicken salad, much to the horror of many. But slowly I started to come around and now I’m a proper “grown-up” with proper mayonnaise in my fridge. So when Ina Garten ordered me to use “good mayonnaise” in her Contessa Chicken Salad, I managed not to let her down. I know in food blog land we’re always making sweeping claims that this dish or that bread is “the best thing ever.” I think we’re all pretty much immune to adjectives and “foodie speak” at this point, but at any rate I’m going to implore you to try this recipe. Just once. It’s really very very good and I can definitely see how they used to get away with selling it for the ridiculous amount of $20 a pound at the original Barefoot Contessa Store.

Contessa Chicken Salad (Originally published by Ina Garten)

2 split (1 whole) chicken breasts, bone in, skin on (1 1/2 pounds) (Note: I used boneless, skinless chicken breasts. It’s all good!)
Good olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup pecan halves
1/2 cup walnuts halves
1/2 cup good mayonnaise (Note: I used light mayo)
1/2 cup sour cream (Note: I used light sour cream)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon leaves, divided
1 cup green grapes, cut in 1/2
Lettuce leaves, for serving (Note: I gave in to temptation and bought some really good bakery made white bread. Mmm…white bread.)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.Place the chicken breasts, skin side up, on a baking sheet and rub them with olive oil. Sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Roast for 35 to 40 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Set aside until cool.

When the chicken is cool, remove meat from the bones and discard the skin and bones. Cut the chicken into a 3/4-inch dice.

Meanwhile, place the pecans and walnuts on a separate sheet pan and toast in the oven for 7 to 8 minutes until golden. Set aside to cool.

For the dressing, mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream, 2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Fold in half the chopped tarragon leaves.

Place the diced chicken in a bowl, add the pecans, walnuts and grapes. Pour the dressing over the chicken and toss well. Sprinkle the remaining chopped tarragon leaves on top, and serve on a bed of lettuce leaves.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but after spending the last few weeks literally gorging myself on wine, cheese, chocolate, more wine, dip, crackers, wine again, and then some beer I’m starting to feel like I need to promptly go to a spa, a yoga retreat, the gym, and possibly rehab.

So to lighten up my fatty food intake just a smidgen I decided to make a creamy meatless alternative to the traditional stroganoff by substituting substantial portobello and baby bella mushrooms for beef. I also reduced the fat of the dish by using a combination of low-fat sour cream and Fage Non-Fat Yogurt. While this isn’t a perfect “lighten up” meal, it sure beats the heck out of brittle, turnovers, and fettuccine.

Line Up!	Boil, Drain, and Set Aside
Choppity Chop	Cook the Onions and Garlic
Add the Mushrooms	Pour in the Stock; Reduce
Stir	Add the Sour Cream, Yogurt, and Parsley
Toss With Pasta	Mmm…Mushroomy

Mushroom Stroganoff (Inspired by a recipe from AllRecipes.com)
Serves 4

3 tablespoons butter
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
3/4 pound mushrooms, sliced (Note: I used Portobello and Baby Bella)
1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken stock (Note: You may also use vegetable or beef stock)
3/4 cup low-fat sour cream
3/4 cup non-fat yogurt (Note: You can use a combination of low or non-fat Greek yogurt (such as Fage) and light sour cream, or use one exclusively)
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon low sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley and a lttle extra for garnish
8 ounces Farfalle Pasta (Note: Feel free to use whatever pasta you prefer, or even brown or white rice)
Salt and Pepper to taste

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add noodles, and cook according to your desired level of doneness. Remove from heat, drain, and set aside.

While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large heavy skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, and cook, stirring until softened.

Add the sliced mushrooms, cooking until they are softened and lightly browned.

Next add the stock, soy and Worcestershire sauces. Bring the sauce to a boil, and cook until the mixture has reduced by 1/3.

In a small bowl combine the sour cream and flour and parsley. Add this mixture to the pan and stir. Continue cooking over low heat, just until the sauce thickens. Pour the pasta into the sauce and cook until the dish is evenly heated through. Serve, seasoning with salt and pepper and garnish with additional parsley and a dollop of sour cream.

Sometimes the simplest meals can leave you feeling the most satisfied.  This easy Beef Stroganoff is great to prepare after a long day at work.  It’s quick, hearty, and the leftovers are delicious.  Admittedly, I did cheat and used one of those McCormick spice packets, but honestly what happens in my kitchen stays in the kitchen…Basically I prepared the dish from the recipe on the back of the packet and added red and green peppers to liven up the color.  It definitely wasn’t “gourmet” by any stretch of the imagination, but it tasted good — and really isn’t that the only thing that matters?

Peppers & Mushrooms	Saute
Brown	Add Water & Spice Pack
Simmer	Stir in the Sour Cream
Hide the “Evidence”	Serve Over Hot Noodles

This Pea Soup is the easiest meal I’ve ever made. After a long day of errand running I was less than thrilled about the prospect of making dinner…OK…that’s a lie. I always like to cook, but I bet you’ve had plenty of moments when you have absolutely zero desire to do anything more than eat a bowl of cereal (It’s a well known fact that CK practically lived on Peanut Butter Puffins until we moved in together). Fight the Lucky Charms urge! This soup is healthy, hearty, and way more satisfying than anything that comes out of a box. Give it a try, I promise you wont be disappointed. Plus, this would be a great kid friendly dish for an upcoming Halloween themed meal. After-all, Pea Soup looks a lot like Witches Brew. Don’t forget to pick up some good, crusty bread. Dipping is the best part.

Gather & Prep	Toss in the Pot, Simmer
Slice (No Nibbling!)	Blend

Comfort & Joy

I actually saw this recipe on Rachael Ray’s new morning talk show.  A husband and wife were pitted against one another in a competition to prepare the dish with their own unique flare.  Then they were judged by children.  The wife won (of course).  Honestly though, I can’t watch Rachael’s morning show.  Rachael is something to be enjoyed in small doses (preferably no more than 30 minutes) and only when she’s drinking decaf…Anyway, break out the Corona and enjoy the Mexican Lasagna.

Scallions & Red Onion	Shredded Cheddars
Black Beans, Drained	Chicken, Spices, & Onion
Add Tomatoes, Sauce, Beans, & Corn	Stir, Heat, & Season
Layer of Meat	Layer of Cheese
Repeat & Top with Onion	Bake @ 425 Degrees

Mmm…SPICY!