FOOD & friends

FOOD & friends

BE THE HIT OF THE PARTY WITH THESE SHAREABLE POTLUCK DISHES

BY JENNIFER BAJSEL

BAKED SAUSAGE ZITI

SERVINGS: 12 | PREP: 20 MIN. COOK: 35 MIN. | TOTAL: 55 MIN.

INGREDIENTS: 1 pkg. fresh Italian sausage | 1 green bell pepper, diced | ½ yellow onion, diced | 1 Tbsp. olive oil | 28 oz. crushed tomato | 1 Tbsp. dried basil | 2 Tbsp. kosher salt, divided | ½ tsp. black pepper | ½ ziti pasta | 8 oz. ricotta | ¼ cup fresh parsley chopped | 1 egg | 4 cups mozzarella, shredded | 1 cup parmesan

DIRECTIONS: PREHEAT oven to 350°. PREPARE a large pot of boiling water and season with 1 ½ Tbsp. salt. COOK ziti according to package directions. DRAIN pasta 2 minutes earlier than the time listed on the package. DRIZZLE pasta with olive oil and set aside. DICE onion and pepper. COAT a sauté pan with the remaining olive oil and add onion and pepper. SAUTÉ until translucent, then add ground sausage. COOK until browned. DRAIN excess fat. ADD the crushed tomato and seasoning and let simmer. COMBINE , in a separate bowl, the ricotta, parsley, and egg. GREASE a 9 x 13 casserole dish. Layer the bottom with sauce. MIX cooked ziti with the ricotta mixture. ADD a layer to the pan and sprinkle with ½ of the mozzarella. ADD another layer of sauce, then pasta mixture. COVER with remaining sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan. BAKE for 30 minutes.

TIPS & TRICKS: You can use mild, sweet, or hot Italian sausage. If ground sausage is unavailable,

TIPS & TRICKS:

Use a mandolin to make thin, even potato slices. You can substitute Swiss or cheddar cheese for the gruyere.

GRUYERE & HAM SCALLOPED POTATOES

SERVINGS: 12 | PREP: 25 MIN. | COOK: 1 HR. | TOTAL: 1 HR. 25 MIN.

INGREDIENTS: 2 lbs. russet potatoes, peeled | 1 medium sweet onion, sliced | 1 garlic clove, minced | 3 Tbsp. butter | 3 Tbsp. flour | 1 Tbsp. thyme | ½ tsp. kosher salt | ¼ tsp. black pepper | 2 cup half & half | 16 oz. shredded gruyere | 16 oz. diced ham

DIRECTIONS: PREHEAT oven to 350° degrees. PEEL and slice the potatoes and place them in a bowl of cold water. SLICE the onion and set aside. MINCE garlic. Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat and add garlic. SOFTEN garlic in butter, then sprinkle with flour. ADD seasoning and stir until a paste forms. MIX in half & half and stir until it becomes thickened. ADD cheese and stir until melted. STIR in diced ham. GREASE an 8 x 8 casserole dish. LAYER potatoes on the bottom and top with sliced onions. CONTINUE to layer, with the last top layer being potatoes. POUR on the cheese mixture. COVER with foil and bake for 45 minutes. UNCOVER and bake for an additional 15 minutes until golden.