Special Occasion Potatoes

My mom's friend calls these funeral potatoes. Because they're so rich, she only takes them to funerals. I suppose if you ate them too often it could cause your own funeral! I make them for special occasions. If I have leftover ham, I'll add it to make a main course. Below the original recipe is the low fat version I came up with...not quite as wonderful...or rich. I've come up with a third version too. The third one is my favorite. This is good to assemble ahead and cook when needed, or bake ahead and re-heat.

Special Occasion Potatoes...(Original)Version 1
2 lbs frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1/4 cup butter, melted
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
2 cups grated cheese
salt and pepper to taste
1-2 cups ham, chopped (optional)
2 cups corn flakes, crushed
1/2 cup butter, melted
Butter a 13"x9" cake pan. Mix potatoes, onion, 1/4 cup melted butter, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, salt and pepper, and cheese together. Spread in buttered pan. Mix corn flakes and 1/2 cup melted butter together. Spread over potato mixture. Bake at 350 degrees 45 min.

Low fat Special Occasion Potatoes...Version 2
2 lbs frozen hash brown potatoes, thawed
1/4 cup onion, chopped
1 cup 2% milk
1 cup low fat sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 cup grated cheese
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp pepper
1-2 cups ham, chopped (optional)
2 cups corn flakes, crushed
1/4 cup butter, melted
Use pan spray to prepare a 13"x9" cake pan. Mix potatoes, onion, milk, sour cream, cream of chicken soup, salt and pepper, and ham together. Spread in pan. Sprinkle cheese over the mixture. Mix corn flakes and melted butter together. Spread over top of cheese. Bake at 350 degrees 45 min.

Special Occasion Potatoes...Version 3
5 large potatoes, peeled and diced
3/4 cup french fried onions, divided
3/4 cup milk(Omit this if baking or crock potting...Use only for microwave cooking.)
1 cup buttermilk
1 cup sour cream
1 can cream of chicken soup
3/4 cup grated cheese
1-2 cups cooked ham, cut into bite size pieces
salt and pepper

Oven: Mix the potatoes, 1/4 cup french fried onions, buttermilk, sour cream, chicken soup, cheese, and ham. Spray a 9x13" cake pan with pan spray. Spread mixture in the pan. Bake at 350 degrees about an hour, or until the potatoes are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste. Top with 1/2 cup french fried onions. Serve hot.

Crock pot:
In a large crockpot, mix together 1/4 cup french fried onions, buttermilk, sour cream, & chicken soup. Add the potatoes and ham. Mix well. Cook on low for 8 hours, or high for 4 hours...or until the potatoes are tender. 10 minutes before serving, sprinkle cheese over the top and stir well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Top with the remaining 1/2 cup of french fried onions. Serve hot.

Microwave:
In a large casserole dish, mix together 1/4 cup french fried onions, milk, buttermilk, sour cream, & chicken soup. Add the potatoes and ham. Mix well. Cook, uncovered, on high for 15 minutes. Add cheese and stir. Cook another 15 minutes, or until potatoes are tender. Stir when done and add salt and pepper to taste. Top with 1/2 cup french fried onions. Serve hot.

Serves 6-8 with a side dish and bread.